Table of Contents

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-215387

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to Prospectus dated January 13, 2017)

26,666,667 Shares

LOGO

Common Shares

We are offering 26,666,667 common shares.

Our common shares are traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "AXGT." On March 13, 2019, the last reported sale price of our common shares on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was $1.75 per common share.

We are an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and, as such, are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

Neither the U.S. 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 supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972 (and its related regulations) has been obtained from the Bermuda Monetary Authority for the issue and transfer of our common shares to and between residents and non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes provided our common shares remain listed on an appointed stock exchange, which includes The Nasdaq Global Select Market. In granting such consent, neither the Bermuda Monetary Authority nor the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda accepts any responsibility for our financial soundness or the correctness of any of the statements made or opinions expressed in this prospectus supplement.


 
  PER SHARE   TOTAL

Public offering price

  $1.50   $40,000,000

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)(2)

  $0.09   $1,800,000

Proceeds to Axovant (before expenses)(2)

  $1.41   $38,200,000

(1)
See "Underwriting" for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriters.

(2)
See paragraph below for details regarding the shares for which the underwriters will not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions.

Roivant Sciences Ltd., or RSL, our majority shareholder, has agreed to purchase 6,666,667 common shares in this offering at the public offering price of $1.50 per share. The underwriters will not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the sale of 6,666,667 common shares to RSL.

Delivery of the common shares is expected to be made on or about March 18, 2019. We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to 4,000,000 additional common shares. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $2,160,000 and the total proceeds to us, before estimated expenses, will be $43,840,000.

Joint Book-Running Managers

Jefferies   Guggenheim Securities

Lead Manager

JMP Securities

   

Prospectus Supplement dated March 13, 2019


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

Prospectus Supplement

       

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

   
S-ii
 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

    S-1  

RISK FACTORS

    S-8  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    S-11  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    S-13  

DIVIDEND POLICY

    S-14  

CAPITALIZATION

    S-15  

DILUTION

    S-16  

MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

    S-17  

UNDERWRITING

    S-25  

LEGAL MATTERS

    S-33  

EXPERTS

    S-33  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    S-33  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

    S-34  

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

    S-35  

ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER UNITED STATES FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS

    S-35  

Prospectus

   
 
 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   
i
 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    1  

RISK FACTORS

    13  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    13  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE SHARE DIVIDENDS

    14  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    14  

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

    14  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

    23  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

    30  

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

    32  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    36  

LEGAL MATTERS

    38  

EXPERTS

    38  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    38  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

    38  

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

    39  

S-i


Table of Contents


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document contains two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also supplements and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. If the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in this prospectus supplement.

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone else to provide you with information that is in addition to or different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, along with the information contained in any permitted free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. Neither we nor the underwriters take any responsibility for, or can provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information other than the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any permitted free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with this offering.

We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, our common shares only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the accompanying prospectus, and the information in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or of any sale of our common shares. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the additional information described under "Where You Can Find More Information" in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, before investing in our common shares.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to "Axovant," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Axovant Sciences Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

S-ii


Table of Contents



PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information about us and this offering. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing. Before investing in our common shares, you should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the section titled "Risk Factors," our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, and the other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Our Company

We are a clinical-stage company focused on gene therapy for neurological and neuromuscular diseases. We are developing a pipeline of innovative product candidates for the treatment of these debilitating diseases, including GM1 gangliosidosis, GM2 gangliosidosis (including Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease), Parkinson's disease, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, or OPMD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, frontotemporal dementia and other neurological and neuromuscular indications. We believe gene therapy may offer transformative patient outcomes in areas of high unmet medical need, with the potential for a more capital efficient path to commercialization.

Our near-term focus is to develop our gene therapy product candidates, AXO-LENTI-PD, a potential one-time treatment for Parkinson's disease, AXO-AAV-GM1, a potential one-time treatment for GM1 gangliosidosis, AXO-AAV-GM2, a potential one-time treatment for GM2 gangliosidosis (including Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease), and AXO-AAV-OPMD, a potential one-time treatment for OPMD. The Phase 2 clinical trial of AXO-LENTI-PD, referred to as the SUNRISE-PD study, was initiated in the United Kingdom in the fourth quarter of 2018 and two patients have been dosed to date. We announced data from these first two patients in March 2019. See "— Recent Developments — AXO-LENTI-PD." We anticipate that AXO-AAV-GM1 will be evaluated in a clinical program under an investigational new drug application, or IND, with the first patient expected to be dosed in the first half of 2019. We expect initial data from this clinical program in the second half of 2019, and expect continued enrollment of patients in this clinical program throughout 2019. AXO-AAV-GM2 is currently being evaluated with the first patient having been dosed in November 2018 under an investigator-initiated application that was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and overseen by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, or UMMS. We announced initial data from this clinical program in March 2019. See "— Recent Developments — AXO-AAV-GM2." We expect to file a subsequent IND to allow for patients to be enrolled in a multi-subject clinical trial in 2019. The AXO-AAV-OPMD clinical program is expected to begin in the second half of 2019, and the final design will be informed by discussions with the FDA and other regulators.

We have assembled a management team with extensive experience in the gene therapy space covering all aspects of product development. Cumulatively, our team has submitted over 25 New Drug Applications or Biologics License Applications and helped launch the first-approved gene therapy in the United States.

We remain committed to identifying, developing and commercializing other novel gene therapy treatments for debilitating neurological and neuromuscular diseases. We are continuing to actively explore opportunities to acquire or in-license additional products, product candidates and technologies to further build our pipeline.

S-1


Table of Contents

Our Product Pipeline

The following table summarizes the status of our gene therapy development programs to which our wholly-owned subsidiary, Axovant Sciences GmbH, or ASG, holds global commercial rights:

Gene Therapy Program
  Clinical Indication   Development Stage

AXO-AAV-GM1

  GM1 gangliosidosis   Clinical-ready

AXO-AAV-GM2

 

GM2 gangliosidosis (including Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease)

 

Clinical

AXO-LENTI-PD

 

Parkinson's disease

 

Clinical

AXO-AAV-OPMD

 

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy

 

Preclinical

AXO-AAV-ALS

 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

 

Research

AXO-AAV-FTD

 

Frontotemporal dementia

 

Research

Four additional AXO-AAV

 

Undisclosed

 

Research

Collaboration Programs

 

 

 

 

Recent Developments

AXO-LENTI-PD

AXO-LENTI-PD is an in vivo lentiviral gene therapy investigational product candidate currently being developed for the one-time treatment of Parkinson's disease. We licensed the worldwide development and commercialization rights to AXO-LENTI-PD and its first-generation product candidate ProSavin® from Oxford BioMedica (UK) Ltd., or Oxford BioMedica, under an exclusive license agreement, or the Oxford BioMedica Agreement, entered into in June 2018.

In March 2019, we reported three-month data from the first dose cohort in the open-label, dose-escalation portion of the ongoing SUNRISE-PD Phase 2 clinical trial of AXO-Lenti-PD for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The cohort consisted of two patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who received a one-time administration of the lowest dose of AXO-Lenti-PD (4.2 × 106 TU). AXO-Lenti-PD was observed to be generally well-tolerated in this first dose cohort, with no serious adverse events reported at three months.

Patients in the first cohort experienced an average improvement in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, or UPDRS, Part III (motor) score, in the state "OFF" levodopa therapy, of 25 points at three months after administration of AXO-Lenti-PD, representing an average improvement of 42% from baseline. Individual patient improvements at three months of 14 points and 36 points were observed (from 58 to 44 and from 60 to 24, respectively). The UPDRS Part III "OFF" score is a physician-rated scale assessing motor function, ranging from zero to 108, with lower scores indicating improvement. The "OFF" score is assessed after patients are washed out of their oral levodopa therapy, thereby capturing the benefit of therapy without the potentially confounding effect of background medical treatment. Patients were also assessed for UPDRS Part I (mentation, behavior and mood), Part II (activities of daily living) and Part IV (complications of therapy) subparts.

Improvements were seen across all subparts of the UPDRS scale, with an average UPDRS Total "OFF" score improvement of 54.5 points at three months after receiving AXO-Lenti-PD, representing an average improvement of 55% from baseline. The patients experienced an average improvement of 22 points from baseline on the UPDRS Part II (activities of daily living) "OFF" score, and an average improvement of 7 points from baseline on the UPDRS Part IV (complications of therapy) "OFF" score.

Taken together, these results suggest that the lowest dose of AXO-Lenti-PD at three months may have greater efficacy compared to the highest dose of ProSavin, the earlier generation gene therapy candidate to

S-2


Table of Contents

AXO-LENTI-PD, previously tested. A summary of results on the UPDRS "OFF" scale for AXO-Lenti-PD from the SUNRISE-PD study and for ProSavin from a prior clinical trial is shown in the table below.


Measure
  AXO-Lenti-PD Cohort 1
(Low Dose: 4.2x106 TU) at
3 months (N=2)(1)
  ProSavin Cohort 3
(High Dose: 1.0x108 TU) at
3 months (N=6)(2)
 

UPDRS Total OFF Score. Range from 0 to 199

 

Baseline

    99.0     79.3  

Month 3

    44.5     61.3  

Improvement from Baseline

    54.5     18.0  

UPDRS Part I OFF Score (Mentation, Behavior and Mood). Range from 0 to 16

 

Baseline

    1.0     2.5  

Month 3

    0.5     0.8  

Improvement from Baseline

    0.5     1.7  

UPDRS Part II OFF Score (Activities of Daily Living). Range from 0 to 52

 

Baseline

    29.5     21.7  

Month 3

    7.5     19.3  

Improvement from Baseline

    22.0     2.3  

UPDRS Part III OFF Score (Motor). Range from 0 to 108

 

Baseline

    59.0     44.8  

Month 3

    34.0     34.0  

Improvement from Baseline

    25.0     10.8 (3)

UPDRS Part IV OFF Score (Complications of Therapy). Range from 0 to 23

 

Baseline

    9.5     10.3  

Month 3

    2.5     7.2  

Improvement from Baseline

    7.0     3.2  


These data are based on a cross-trial comparison and not a head-to-head clinical trial. As a result, these data may not be directly comparable.

(1)
Ongoing SUNRISE-PD Phase 2 trial of AXO-Lenti-PD

(2)
Prior Phase 1/2 open-label trial of ProSavin

(3)
Improvement from baseline for Cohorts 1 (N=3, 1.9 × 107 TU dose) and 2 (N=6, 4.0 × 107 TU dose) in the prior Phase 1/2 open-label trial of ProSavin were 7.3 and 10.5, respectively.

Patients in the first cohort also experienced a mean 18% improvement in dyskinesia as measured by the Rush Dyskinesia Rating Scale "ON" score, which assesses functional disability during activities of daily living while patients are on oral levodopa.

Additionally, a patient-recorded diary was collected from the two patients in the first cohort. Although variability was present in the patient-recorded diary entries, both patients exhibited improvement in diary "ON" time with dyskinesia, with an average reduction of 3.5 hours (57%) from baseline. An improvement was also observed in diary "ON" time with troublesome dyskinesia, with an average reduction of 1.3 hours (85%) from baseline. Results from the patient-recorded diary are summarized in the table below.

S-3


Table of Contents


Diary Measure
  Baseline   Month 3   Improvement from
Baseline

ON time without dyskinesia

  8.0 hours   10.1 hours   2.1 hours

ON time with dyskinesia

  6.1 hours   2.6 hours   3.5 hours

ON time without troublesome dyskinesia

  12.5 hours   12.4 hours   –0.1 hours

ON time with troublesome dyskinesia

  1.5 hours   0.2 hours   1.3 hours

OFF time

  1.8 hours   3.4 hours   –1.6 hours

Levodopa Equivalent Daily Dose

  1116.5mg   908.5mg   Reduction by 208mg (19%)

    Patient diaries are collected over the two days prior to the study visit. The patient is required to complete the diary every 30 minutes for each 24 hour period.

At month 3, the average levodopa equivalent daily dose was decreased by 208 mg for patients in Cohort 1. This represents an average reduction of 19% from baseline.

Based on initial feedback received from members of the Data Monitoring Committee, or DMC, for AXO-Lenti-PD, we plan to proceed to the planned second dose cohort of AXO-Lenti-PD. The dose to be tested in the second cohort of patients is 1.4x107 TU. The first subject in this second cohort is expected to be dosed in the second quarter of 2019, following which we would be required to make a $15.0 million development milestone payment to Oxford BioMedica under the BioMedica Agreement.

AXO-AAV-GM2

AXO-AAV-GM2 is an investigational gene therapy that we are developing as a one-time treatment for GM2 gangliosidosis, including Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease. We licensed exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of AXO-AAV-GM2 from UMMS in December 2018.

In March 2019, we reported three-month data from an ongoing investigator-initiated study overseen by UMMS administering AXO-AAV-GM2 in a 30-month-old patient with advanced infantile Tay-Sachs disease. The study is evaluating a total dose of 1.0 × 1014 vg of AXO-AAV-GM2 administered into the cisterna magna (75% of vector) and lumbar spinal canal (25% of vector) only. Due to the patient's advanced disease, a co-delivered intrathalamic injection of AXO-AAV-GM2 was not administered. Future patients in the program, who are expected to be treated earlier in their disease course, will receive AXO-AAV-GM2 co-delivered into the thalamus bilaterally as well as into the cisterna magna and spinal canal.

The AXO-AAV-GM2 program utilizes adeno-associated virus vectors to deliver functional copies of both the hexosaminidase subunit alpha gene and the hexosaminidase subunit beta gene, with the goal of restoring normal b-Hexosaminidase A, or Hex A, enzyme function in the central nervous system. Patients with infantile Tay-Sachs disease, late-infantile or juvenile disease, and adult disease have been shown to have less than 0.1%, approximately 0.5%, and between 2% and 4% of normal Hex A activity, respectively. In addition, patients with infantile Tay-Sachs disease, late-infantile or juvenile disease, and adult disease have a median survival of three to four, 10 to 15, and over 18 years respectively. Hex A activity of between 5% and 10% or more of normal is believed to be compatible with a disease-free life. Restoration of Hex A activity to 0.5% of normal activity could represent a clinically meaningful effect.

Hex A activity was determined using the 4MUGS assay, the standard assay for assessing activity of the enzyme. At baseline, the patient's enzyme activity in the cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, was 0.46% of normal. At three months, there was an apparent increase in enzyme activity in the CSF to 1.44% of normal, an increase surpassing the 0.5% threshold that could represent a clinically important effect. Serum Hex A enzyme activity was also increased from baseline (0.21% of normal) at all time points measured (0.45% of normal at three months) following administration of AXO-AAV-GM2. Additional independent assays and sampling will be conducted to further evaluate the biological activity of AXO-AAV-GM2.

S-4


Table of Contents

AXO-AAV-GM2 was observed to be generally well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported as of the three month visit. No clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities were observed following treatment. The patient's clinical condition was stable from baseline to month 3 without clinical deterioration observed on neurological exam. In addition, there was no significant deterioration in the condition observed from pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, of the brain at baseline to post-treatment MRI at month 3.

Axovant is a Vant within the Roivant Family of Companies

Our majority shareholder is Roivant Sciences Ltd., referred to herein as RSL or Roivant. RSL aims to improve health by rapidly delivering innovative medicines and technologies to patients. RSL does this by building Vants: nimble, entrepreneurial biotech and healthcare technology companies with a unique approach to sourcing talent, aligning incentives, and deploying technology to drive greater efficiency in research and development and commercialization. We are a Vant within the Roivant family of companies.

RSL was founded in May 2014 and today has over 30 drugs in development across its family of Vants, with at least six programs in late-stage clinical trials. Inclusive of its family of companies, RSL employs over 800 professionals globally and has raised more than $3.0 billion to date to support its mission. RSL is a privately held corporation with its own shareholders; RSL is not an investment management firm or a fund.

RSL has two business units today: Roivant Pharma and Roivant Health. Each business unit creates and oversees Vants which operate as self-sustaining companies. Roivant Pharma builds biopharmaceutical Vants that focus on developing promising therapeutics in areas of important medical need. Roivant Pharma companies include Altavant, Arbutus, Aruvant, Axovant, Dermavant, Enzyvant, Genevant, Immunovant, Metavant, Myovant, Respivant and Urovant. Roivant Health builds Vants that develop or apply technology to improve the process of developing and commercializing new medicines. Roivant Health companies include Alyvant, Datavant and Sinovant.

RSL's decentralized model enables the parallel advancement of multiple investigational medicines across many therapeutic areas. Each Vant preserves its own area of focus and expertise while still accessing the benefits of scale associated with being part of the Roivant family of companies. By giving experienced executives the initial funding, incentives and support framework to bring innovative medicines and healthcare technologies to market quickly, and by enabling each Vant to be separately financed by its own investors who can evaluate each Vant independently, RSL aims to significantly improve the return on investment from biopharmaceutical research, development and commercialization. We believe that Axovant benefits from its membership in the Roivant family of companies.

Corporate Information

We are an exempted limited company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda on October 31, 2014 under the name Roivant Neurosciences Ltd. We changed our name to Axovant Sciences Ltd, or ASL, in March 2015. We have seven wholly owned subsidiaries: Axovant Holdings Limited, or AHL, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of ASL, was incorporated in England and Wales in August 2016; Axovant Sciences, Inc., or ASI, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of AHL, was incorporated in Delaware in February 2015; ASG, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of AHL, was organized in Switzerland in August 2016; Axovant Sciences America Inc., or ASA, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of AHL, was incorporated in Delaware in July 2017; Axovant Treasury Holdings, Inc., or ATH, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of ASL, was incorporated in Delaware in March 2018; Axovant Treasury, Inc., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of ATH, was incorporated in Delaware in March 2018; and Axovant Sciences Europe Limited, or ASEU, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of AHL, was incorporated in Ireland in December 2018.

Our principal executive office is located at Suite 1, 3rd Floor, 11-12 St. James's Square, London, United Kingdom SW1Y 4LB, and our telephone number is +44 203 318 9708. Our registered office is located in Bermuda at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda, and the telephone number of

S-5


Table of Contents

our registered office is +1 (441) 824-8100. We also have business operations in Basel, Switzerland and New York, New York. Our website is located at http://www.axovant.com. We do not incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the information on, or accessible through, our website, and you should not consider it as part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Axovant and the Axovant logo are our trademarks. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may also contain trademarks and trade names that are the property of their respective owners.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and therefore we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements, including not being required to have our internal control over financial reporting audited by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, our periodic reports and our proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the closing of our initial public offering, which occurred in June 2015, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the end of our second fiscal quarter, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.

S-6


Table of Contents



THE OFFERING

Common shares offered by us

  26,666,667 common shares

Option to purchase additional shares

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to 4,000,000 additional common shares.

Common shares outstanding immediately after this offering

 

182,194,438 common shares (or 186,194,438 common shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase 4,000,000 additional common shares in full).

Use of proceeds

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $37.8 million, or approximately $43.5 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to advance the development of AXO-LENTI-PD, AXO-AAV-GM1, AXO-AAV-GM2, and AXO-AAV-OPMD, as well as additional business development activities. The remaining proceeds, if any, will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."

Controlled company

 

RSL beneficially owns a controlling interest in us and we are a "controlled company" under Nasdaq rules. As a controlled company, we have elected to avail ourselves of the controlled company exemption under the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.

Risk factors

 

See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of factors you should consider carefully before deciding to invest in our common shares.

Nasdaq Global Select Market symbol

 

"AXGT"

RSL, our majority shareholder, has agreed to purchase 6,666,667 common shares in this offering at the public offering price of $1.50 per share. The underwriters will not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the sale of 6,666,667 common shares to RSL.

The number of common shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 155,527,771 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018, and excludes:

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes:

S-7


Table of Contents


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described below and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, any amendment or update thereto reflected in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and all of the other information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. If any of these risks is realized, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our common shares could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified or that we think are immaterial may also harm our business, operating results and financial condition and could result in a complete loss of your investment.

Risks Related to This Offering

If you purchase our common shares in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of your shares.

The public offering price of our common shares in this offering will be substantially higher than the as adjusted net tangible book value per common share of our common shares. Therefore, if you purchase our common shares in this offering, you will pay a price per common share that substantially exceeds the book value of our tangible assets after subtracting our liabilities. Based on the public offering price of $1.50 per common share, you will experience immediate dilution of $1.17 per common share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per common share, after giving effect to this offering, and the public offering price per share. Further, the future exercise of any outstanding options to purchase our common shares will cause you to experience additional dilution. See the section titled "Dilution" for additional information.

Our management will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and our shareholders will not have the opportunity as part of their investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. You may not agree with our decisions, and our use of the proceeds may not yield any return on your investment. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. Our failure to apply the net proceeds of this offering effectively could compromise our ability to pursue our growth strategy and we might not be able to yield a significant return, if any, on our investment of these net proceeds. You will not have the opportunity to influence our decisions on how to use our net proceeds from this offering.

Raising additional funds by issuing securities may cause dilution to existing shareholders.

We expect that significant additional capital will be needed in the future to continue our planned operations. Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, strategic alliances and license and development agreements in connection with any collaborations. We do not have any committed external source of funds. To the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing shareholders' ownership may experience substantial dilution, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a common shareholder. Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or

S-8


Table of Contents

restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.

Future sales of our common shares, or the perception that such sales may occur, could depress our share price, even if our business is doing well.

Sales of a substantial number of our common shares in the public market, or the perception by investors that our shareholders intend to sell substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market, could depress the market price of our common shares, even if our business is doing well. Such a decrease in our share price could in turn impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

All of the shares sold in this offering, as well as shares issued upon the exercise of options granted to persons other than our officers and directors, are freely transferable without restrictions or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2018, 99,285,714 of our outstanding common shares, representing a majority of our common shares, were held by RSL. If RSL or any of our executive officers or directors were to sell our common shares, or if the market perceived that RSL or any of our executive officers or directors intend to sell our common shares, it could negatively affect our share price. However, any such sales must still be made in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, which could limit the number of our shares that RSL could sell in any 90-day period.

Roivant Sciences Ltd. will continue to own a significant percentage of our common shares and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to shareholder approval.

After this offering is completed, we will continue to be controlled by RSL. Upon the closing of this offering, after giving effect to RSL's purchase of 6,666,667 common shares in this offering, RSL will beneficially own approximately 58% of the voting power of our outstanding common shares, or approximately 57% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common shares from us in full. Therefore, even after this offering, RSL will have the ability to substantially influence us through this ownership position. For example, RSL may be able to control elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transaction. RSL's interests may not always coincide with our corporate interests or the interests of other shareholders, and they may act in a manner with which you may not agree or that may not be in the best interests of our other shareholders. So long as RSL continues to own a significant amount of our equity, RSL will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions.

The terms of our credit facility place restrictions on our operating and financial flexibility.

In February 2017, we and our subsidiaries entered into a loan and security agreement (as amended in May and September 2017), or the Loan Agreement, with Hercules Capital, Inc., or Hercules. The Loan Agreement is secured by substantially all of our property and that of our subsidiaries that are parties to the Loan Agreement, other than intellectual property.

The Loan Agreement subjects us and our subsidiaries to various affirmative and restrictive covenants, including a minimum cash balance of the lesser of at least (i) the outstanding amount of debt under the Loan Agreement plus certain aged accounts payable (as further defined in the Loan Agreement), or (ii) $35.0 million (which has been reduced to $30.0 million following the achievement of certain clinical milestones as set forth in the Loan Agreement), a covenant against the occurrence of a "change in control," financial reporting obligations, and certain limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness, liens (including a negative pledge on intellectual property and other assets), investments, distributions (including dividends), collateral, transfers, mergers or acquisitions, taxes, corporate changes, and deposit accounts. Compliance with these covenants may limit our flexibility in operating our business and our ability to take actions that might be advantageous to us and our shareholders. For example, if we fail to meet our minimum cash covenant and we are unable to raise additional funds or obtain a waiver or other amendment to the Loan

S-9


Table of Contents

Agreement, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate certain of our clinical development efforts.

Additionally, we may be required to repay the entire amount of outstanding indebtedness under the Loan Agreement in cash if we fail to stay in compliance with our covenants or suffer some other event of default under the Loan Agreement. Under the Loan Agreement, an event of default will occur if, among other things: we fail to make payments under the Loan Agreement; we breach any of our covenants under the Loan Agreement, subject to specified cure periods with respect to certain breaches; there occurs an event that has a material adverse effect on (i) our business, operations, properties, assets or financial condition, (ii) our ability to perform or satisfy our obligations under the Loan Agreement as they become due or Hercules's ability to enforce its rights or remedies with respect to our obligations under the Loan Agreement, or (iii) the collateral or liens securing our obligations under the Loan Agreement; we or our assets become subject to certain legal proceedings, such as bankruptcy proceedings; we are unable to pay our debts as they become due; or we default on contracts with third parties which would permit Hercules to accelerate the maturity of such indebtedness or that could have a material adverse effect on us. We may not have enough available cash or be able to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings to repay such indebtedness at the time any such event of default occurs. In that case, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our clinical development efforts or grant to others rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves. Hercules could also exercise its rights as collateral agent to take possession and dispose of the collateral securing the loan for its benefit, which collateral includes all of our property other than our intellectual property. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be substantially harmed as a result of any of these events.

Legislation enacted in Bermuda in response to the European Union's review of harmful tax competition could be harmful to our business.

During 2017, the European Union, or EU, Economic and Financial Affairs Council, or ECOFIN, released a list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The stated aim of this list, and accompanying report, was to promote good governance worldwide in order to maximize efforts to prevent tax fraud and tax evasion. Bermuda, our jurisdiction of incorporation, was named in the report (along with approximately 40 other jurisdictions) as having committed to address concerns relating to economic substance by December 31, 2018. In accordance with that commitment, Bermuda enacted legislation that requires certain entities in Bermuda engaged in "relevant activities" to maintain a substantial economic presence in Bermuda and to satisfy economic substance requirements. Any entity that must satisfy economic substance requirements but fails to do so could face automatic disclosure to competent authorities in the EU of the information filed by the entity with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies in connection with the economic substance requirements and may also face financial penalties, restriction or regulation of its business activities and/or may be struck off as a registered entity in Bermuda.

On March 12, 2019, Bermuda was placed by the EU on its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes due to an issue with Bermuda's economic substance legislation which was not resolved in time for the EU's deadline. At present, the impact of being included on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes is unclear, including when taking into account the fact that we are resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes. While Bermuda has now amended its legislation which the Bermuda Government has stated has addressed this issue and expects to be removed from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions at the EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council's next meeting which is scheduled to be in May 2019, there can be no assurance that Bermuda will be removed from such list. If Bermuda is not removed from the list and sanctions or other financial, tax or regulatory measures were applied by European Member States to countries on the list or further economic substance requirements were imposed by Bermuda, our business could be harmed.

S-10


Table of Contents


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference 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, or the Exchange Act. These statements are often identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "will," "would" or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions or variations, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, in the Sections entitled "Business," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" incorporated by reference from our Annual Report and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto, filed with the SEC.

These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things:

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events, including the responses we expect from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory authorities and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, nonclinical studies and clinical trials and financial needs. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors known and unknown that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute

S-11


Table of Contents

to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified herein, and those discussed in the section titled "Risk Factors" set forth in our Annual Report and in our other filings with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. These risks are not exhaustive. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, 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. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement. See section titled "Where You Can Find More Information."

In addition, statements that "we believe" and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements as predictions of future events.

S-12


Table of Contents


USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from our issuance and sale of shares in this offering will be approximately $37.8 million, or approximately $43.5 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common shares in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to advance the development of AXO-LENTI-PD, AXO-AAV-GM1, AXO-AAV-GM2 and AXO-AAV-OPMD, as well as additional business development activities. The remaining proceeds, if any, will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including the payment of milestones under our license agreements as they become due. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to (1) acquire or invest in complementary businesses, assets, technologies or intellectual property, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so, and (2) make payments on indebtedness outstanding under our Loan Agreement with Hercules, including in connection with any modifications to the Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement bears interest at a variable per annum rate calculated for any day as the greater of either (1) the prime rate plus 6.80%, and (2) 10.55%. The term loan under the Loan Agreement has a scheduled maturity date of March 1, 2021.

This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, including the progress of our development, the status of regulatory approval of our product candidates, as well as any collaborations that we may enter into with third parties, and any unforeseen cash needs.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The timing and amount of our actual expenditures will be based on many factors, including cash flows from operations and the anticipated growth of our business. Based on our current operational plans and assumptions, we believe our existing cash resources, together with the net proceeds from this offering and our access to additional capital, will enable us to meet our financial needs for the next 12 months. However, we will require additional funds to complete our currently planned development programs. Pending the uses described above, we may choose to invest these net proceeds in short-term, interest bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States. The goal with respect to the investment of these net proceeds is capital preservation and liquidity so that such funds are readily available to fund our operations.

S-13


Table of Contents


DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common shares. We anticipate that we will retain all of our future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, pursuant to Bermuda law, a company may not declare or pay dividends if there are reasonable grounds for believing that (1) the company is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or (2) that the realizable value of its assets would thereby be less than its liabilities. Under our amended and restated bye-laws, each common share is entitled to dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferred dividend right of the holders of any preference shares. In addition, our term loan under the Loan Agreement with Hercules restricts our ability to declare and pay dividends.

S-14


Table of Contents


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and our capitalization as of December 31, 2018:

This table should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.


 
  As of
December 31, 2018
 
 
  Actual   As Adjusted  
 
  (in thousands except
share data)

 

Cash

  $ 84,939   $ 122,779  

Long term debt, net of current portion

  $ 28,251   $ 28,251  

Shareholders' equity:

             

Common shares, par value $0.00001 per common share, 155,527,771 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 182,194,438 common shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted

    2     2  

Additional paid-in capital

    699,064     736,904  

Accumulated deficit

    (676,970 )   (676,970 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    664     664  

Total shareholders' equity

    22,760     60,600  

Total capitalization

  $ 51,011   $ 88,851  

The number of common shares to be outstanding in the table above excludes:

S-15


Table of Contents


DILUTION

If you invest in our common shares in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per common share in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per common share immediately after this offering. Net tangible book value per common share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets less total liabilities by the number of outstanding common shares.

As of December 31, 2018, our net tangible book value was $22.8 million, or $0.15 per common share.

After giving effect to the sale and issuance of 26,666,667 common shares in this offering at a public offering price of $1.50 per common share, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2018 would have been $60.6 million, or $0.33 per common share. This represents an immediate increase in the as adjusted net tangible book value of $0.18 per common share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $1.17 per common share to investors purchasing in this offering at the public offering price per common share. The following table illustrates this per common share dilution.


Public offering price per common share

        $ 1.50  

Net tangible book value per common share as of December 31, 2018

  $ 0.15        

Increase in net tangible book value per common share attributable to investors participating in this offering

  $ 0.18        

As adjusted net tangible book value per common share after giving effect to this offering

        $ 0.33  

Dilution per common share to investors in this offering

        $ 1.17  

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase 4,000,000 additional common shares from us, the as adjusted net tangible book value per common share after this offering would be $0.36 per common share, the increase in net tangible book value per common share to existing shareholders would be $0.21 per common share and the dilution to new investors purchasing shares in this offering would be $1.14 per common share.

The table and discussion above exclude:

S-16


Table of Contents


MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a discussion of the material Bermuda, U.K. and U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to an investment decision by a potential investor with respect to our common shares.

Bermuda Tax Considerations

At the present time, there is no Bermuda income or profits tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, capital transfer tax, estate duty or inheritance tax payable by us or by our shareholders in respect of our common shares. We have obtained an assurance from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 that, in the event that any legislation is enacted in Bermuda imposing any tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax shall not, until March 31, 2035, be applicable to us or to any of our operations or to our shares, debentures or other obligations except insofar as such tax applies to persons ordinarily resident in Bermuda or is payable by us in respect of real property owned or leased by us in Bermuda.

United Kingdom Tax Considerations

The following is a general summary of certain UK tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposal of our common shares and does not address all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our common shares. It is based on current UK tax law and published HM Revenue & Customs, or HMRC, practice (which may not be binding on HMRC), as of the date of this prospectus supplement, both of which are subject to change, possibly with retrospective effect.

This summary is intended to address only certain UK tax consequences for holders of our common shares who are tax resident in (and only in) the United Kingdom, and in the case of individuals, domiciled in (and only in) the United Kingdom (except where expressly stated otherwise) who are the absolute beneficial owners of common shares and any dividends paid on them and who hold common shares as investments (other than in an individual savings account or a self-invested personal pension). This summary does not address the UK tax consequences which may be relevant to certain classes of holders of common shares such as traders, brokers, dealers, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, investment companies, collective investment schemes, tax-exempt organizations, trustees, persons connected with us or a member of our group, persons holding our common shares as part of hedging or conversion transactions and holders of our common shares who have (or are deemed to have) acquired our common shares by virtue of an office or employment.

The following is intended only as a general guide and is not intended to be, nor should it be considered to be, legal or tax advice to any particular prospective subscriber for, or purchaser of, our common shares. Accordingly, prospective subscribers for, or purchasers of, our common shares who are in any doubt as to their tax position regarding the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common shares or who are subject to tax in a jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should consult their own tax advisers.

The Issuing Company

It is the intention of the directors to conduct the affairs of the Company so that the central management and control of the Company is exercised in the UK. As a result, the Company is expected to be treated as resident in the UK for UK tax purposes. Accordingly we expect to be subject to UK taxation on our worldwide income and gains, except where an exemption applies.

Taxation of Dividends

Withholding Tax

Dividends paid by us to holders of our common shares will not be subject to withholding or deduction for or on account of UK tax.

S-17


Table of Contents

Income Tax

An individual holder of our common shares who is resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom may, depending on his or her particular circumstances, be subject to UK income tax on dividends received from us. An individual holder of our common shares who is not resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom should not be subject to UK income tax on dividends received from us unless he or she carries on (whether solely or in partnership) any trade, profession or vocation in the United Kingdom through a branch or agency to which our common shares are attributable. There are certain exceptions for trading in the United Kingdom through independent agents, such as some brokers and investment managers.

All dividends received by a UK resident individual holder of our common shares from us or from other sources will form part of that holder's total income for income tax purposes and will constitute the top slice of that income. A nil rate of income tax will apply to the first £2,000 of taxable dividend income received from us or from other sources by the holder of our common shares in a tax year. Income within the nil rate band will be taken into account in determining whether income in excess of the nil rate band falls within the basic rate, higher rate or additional rate tax bands. Dividend income in excess of the £2,000 tax-free allowance will (subject to the availability of any income tax personal allowance) be taxed at 7.5% to the extent that the excess amount falls within the basic rate tax band, 32.5% to the extent that the excess amount falls within the higher rate tax band and 38.1% to the extent that the excess amount falls within the additional rate tax band.

Corporation Tax

Corporate holders of our common shares which are resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom should not be subject to UK corporation tax on any dividend received from us so long as the dividends qualify for exemption, which should be the case although certain conditions must be met (including anti-avoidance conditions). If the conditions for the exemption are not satisfied, or such holder of common shares elects for an otherwise exempt dividend to be taxable, UK corporation tax will be chargeable on the amount of any dividends (at the current rate of 19%, reducing to 17% from April 1, 2020).

Corporate holders of our common shares who are not resident in the United Kingdom will not generally be subject to UK corporation tax on dividends unless they are carrying on a trade, profession or vocation in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment in connection with which such shares are attributable.

Taxation of Capital Gains

UK Resident Holders of Our Common Shares

A disposal or deemed disposal of our common shares by an individual or corporate holder of such shares who is tax resident in the United Kingdom may, depending on that holder's circumstances and subject to any available exemptions or reliefs, give rise to a chargeable gain or allowable loss for the purposes of UK taxation of chargeable gains.

If an individual holder of our common shares who is subject to UK income tax at either the higher or the additional rate is liable to UK capital gains tax on the disposal of common shares, the current applicable rate will be 20%. For an individual UK holder who is subject to UK income tax at the basic rate and liable to UK capital gains tax on such disposal, the current applicable rate would be 10%, save to the extent that any capital gains exceed the unused basic rate tax band. In that case, the rate currently applicable to the excess would be 20%.

If a corporate holder becomes liable to UK corporation tax on the disposal of our common shares, the main rate of UK corporation tax (currently 19%, reducing to 17% from April 1, 2020) would apply. Indexation allowance is not available in respect of disposals of our common shares acquired on or after January 1, 2018 (and only covers the movement in the retail prices index up until December 31, 2017, in respect of common shares acquired prior to that date).

S-18


Table of Contents

Non-UK Holders of Our Common Shares

Holders of our common shares who are not resident in the United Kingdom and, in the case of an individual holder of our common shares, not temporarily non-resident, should not be liable for UK capital gains tax or corporation tax on chargeable gains realized on a sale or other disposal of our common shares unless (i) such shares are attributable to a trade, profession or vocation carried on in the United Kingdom through a branch or agency or, in the case of a corporate holder of our common shares, through a permanent establishment or (ii) in respect of disposals made on or after April 6, 2019, we directly or indirectly derive 75% or more of our qualifying asset value from UK land and the holder disposing of the interest has a substantial indirect interest in the UK land (broadly at least 25%).

Generally, an individual holder of our common shares who has ceased to be resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes for a period of five years or less and who disposes of our common shares during that period may be liable on their return to the United Kingdom to UK capital gains taxation on any capital gain realized (subject to any available exemption or relief).

UK Stamp Duty and UK Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

The discussion below relates to the holders of our common shares wherever resident, however it should be noted that special rules may apply to certain persons such as market makers, brokers, dealers or intermediaries.

No UK stamp duty or UK stamp duty reserve tax, or SDRT, will be payable on the issue or transfer of, or agreement to transfer, the common shares, subject to the comments below.

UK stamp duty will in principle be payable on any instrument of transfer of common shares (where the amount or value of the consideration is more than £1,000) that is executed in the United Kingdom or that relates to any property situated, or to any matter or thing done or to be done, in the United Kingdom. No UK stamp duty should be payable on the transfer of the common shares, provided that any transfer documents are executed and retained outside the United Kingdom. Holders of common shares should be aware that, even where an instrument of transfer is in principle subject to UK stamp duty, UK stamp duty is not required to be paid unless it is necessary to rely on the instrument for legal purposes, for example to register a change of ownership by updating a share register held in the United Kingdom or in litigation in a UK court.

Provided that common shares are not registered in any register maintained in the United Kingdom by us or on our behalf and are not paired with any shares or securities issued by a UK incorporated company, any agreement to transfer common shares will not be subject to SDRT.

The common shares are not paired with any shares or securities issued by a UK incorporated company and we do not intend that any register of common shares will be maintained in the United Kingdom by us or on our behalf.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common shares. This summary is based upon provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which is referred to herein as the Code, applicable Treasury Regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions in effect as of the date hereof, any of which may subsequently be changed, possibly retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. This summary deals only with our common shares held as capital assets for tax purposes (i.e., our common shares held for investment). This summary is general in nature, does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxes (such as the alternative minimum tax) and does not address state, local, estate, gift or non-U.S. tax consequences. In addition, it

S-19


Table of Contents

does not deal with all tax consequences that may be relevant to holders in light of their personal circumstances or particular situations, such as:

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership holds common shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Any such partnership and a partner in any such partnership should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to it (and, as applicable, its partners) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.

We have not sought, nor will we seek, a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") with respect to the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the common shares or that any such position would not be sustained.

THIS SUMMARY OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF THE COMMON SHARES ARISING UNDER U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX RULES OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

U.S. Holders

As used herein, the term "U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner of common shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

Distributions on Common Shares

Subject to the discussion in "— Passive Foreign Investment Company," the gross amount of distributions (including any foreign taxes withheld therefrom), if any, made on our common shares generally will be included in a U.S. holder's income as foreign source ordinary dividend income (and generally will constitute

S-20


Table of Contents

passive category income for foreign tax credit purposes) to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We believe we are resident in the United Kingdom for U.K. corporate income tax purposes and that we qualify as a resident of the United Kingdom for purposes of the United States-United Kingdom Income Tax Convention entered into force on April 25, 2001, as amended and currently in force, which is referred to herein as the U.S.-U.K. Tax Treaty, although there can be no assurance in this regard. If the U.S.-U.K. Tax Treaty is applicable or our common shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, and we are not classified as a PFIC for the taxable year in which a dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year (as discussed below under "— Passive Foreign Investment Company"), dividend income will generally be "qualified dividend income" in the hands of individual U.S. holders, which is generally taxed at the lower applicable long term capital gains rates provided certain holding period and other requirements for treatment of such dividends as "qualified dividend income" are satisfied. Our common shares will generally be considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, as we intend our common shares will be. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our common shares. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a U.S. holder's tax basis in the common shares and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares. Because we do not maintain complete calculations of our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, U.S. holders should assume that any distribution by us with respect to common shares will constitute ordinary dividend income. Any dividends we pay or are deemed to pay will not be eligible for the dividend-received deductions allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

Certain U.S. holders generally may claim any foreign taxes withheld from distributions either as a deduction from gross income or as a credit against U.S. federal income tax liability. However, the foreign tax credit is subject to numerous complex limitations that must be determined and applied on an individual basis. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the foreign tax credit rules.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares

Subject to the discussion in "— Passive Foreign Investment Company," upon the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. holder generally will recognize U.S.-source capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (1) the amount of cash and the fair market value of all other property received upon such disposition (including the amount of any foreign taxes withheld therefrom) and (2) the U.S. holder's tax basis in the common shares. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. holder's holding period in the common shares is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals) will generally be subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. A U.S. holder's ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

In general, a corporation organized outside the United States will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, in any taxable year in which either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is "passive income" or (2) on average at least 50% of the value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, royalties, rents, and gains from commodities transactions and from the sale or exchange of property that gives rise to passive income. Assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income may include cash, even if held as working capital or raised in a public offering, marketable securities and other assets that may produce passive income. In determining whether a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a proportionate share of the income and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 25% interest (by value) generally is taken into account.

S-21


Table of Contents

Our status as a PFIC will depend on the nature and composition of our income and the nature, composition and value of our assets from time to time. The 50% passive asset test described above is generally based on the fair market value of each asset, with the value of goodwill and going concern value determined in large part by reference to the market value of our common shares, which may be volatile. We do not believe we were a PFIC in the taxable year ending March 31, 2018; however, with respect to future taxable years, because the PFIC tests are based upon the value of our assets, including any goodwill and going concern value, and the nature and composition of our income and assets, which cannot be known at this time, we cannot predict whether we will or will not be classified as a PFIC. Even if we determine that we are not a PFIC for a taxable year, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our conclusion and that the IRS would not successfully challenge our position. Our status as a PFIC is a fact intensive determination made on an annual basis after the end of each taxable year. Accordingly, no assurances can be made regarding our PFIC status in one or more subsequent years, and our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to our PFIC status in the taxable year that ended March 31, 2018 or the current taxable year ending March 31, 2019, and also expresses no opinion with respect to our predictions or past determinations regarding our PFIC status in the past or in the future. We will determine whether we were a PFIC or not for each taxable year and make such determination available to U.S. holders.

If we are a PFIC in any taxable year during which a U.S. holder owns common shares, such U.S. holder could be liable for additional taxes and interest charges upon (1) a distribution paid during a taxable year that is greater than 125% of the average annual distributions paid in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the U.S. holder's holding period for the common shares, and (2) any gain recognized on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition, including a pledge, of the common shares, whether or not we continue to be a PFIC. In these circumstances, the tax will be determined by allocating such distribution or gain ratably over the U.S. holder's holding period for the common shares. The amount allocated to the current taxable year (i.e., the year in which the distribution occurs or the gain is recognized) and any year prior to the first taxable year in which we are a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income earned in the current taxable year. The amount allocated to other taxable years will be taxed at the highest marginal rates in effect for individuals or corporations, as applicable, to ordinary income for each such taxable year, and an interest charge, generally applicable to underpayments of tax, will be added to the tax. If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. holder holds the common shares, we must generally continue to be treated as a PFIC by that holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. holder holds the common shares, unless we cease to meet the requirements for PFIC status and the U.S. holder makes a "deemed sale" election with respect to the common shares. If such election is made, the U.S. holder will be deemed to have sold the common shares it holds at their fair market value on the last day of the last taxable year in which we qualified as a PFIC, and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the consequences described above. After the deemed sale election, the U.S. holder's common shares with respect to which the deemed sale election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC unless we subsequently again become a PFIC.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. holder holds the common shares and one of our non-United States subsidiaries is also a PFIC (i.e., a lower-tier PFIC), such U.S. holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC and would be subject to the rules described above on certain distributions by the lower-tier PFIC and a disposition of shares of the lower-tier PFIC even though such U.S. holder would not receive the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions. Each U.S. holder is advised to consult its tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.

The tax consequences that would apply if we were a PFIC would be different from those described above if a timely and valid "mark-to-market" election is made by a U.S. holder for the common shares held by such U.S. holder. An electing U.S. holder generally would take into account as ordinary income each year, the excess of the fair market value of the common shares held at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such common shares. The U.S. holder would also take into account, as an ordinary loss each

S-22


Table of Contents

year, the excess of the adjusted tax basis of such common shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the excess of amounts previously included in income over ordinary losses deducted in prior years as a result of the mark-to-market election. The U.S. holder's tax basis in the common shares would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss recognized as a result of the mark-to-market election. Any gain from a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the common shares in any taxable year in which we are a PFIC would be treated as ordinary income and any loss from such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition would be treated first as ordinary loss (to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously included in income) and thereafter as capital loss. If, after having been a PFIC for a prior taxable year, we cease to be classified as a PFIC, the U.S. holder would not be required to take into account any latent gain or loss in the manner described above and any gain or loss recognized on the sale or exchange of the common shares would be classified as a capital gain or loss.

A mark-to-market election is available to a U.S. holder only for "marketable stock." Generally, stock will be considered marketable stock if it is "regularly traded" on a "qualified exchange" within the meaning of applicable Treasury Regulations. A class of stock is regularly traded during any calendar year during which such class of stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The common shares will be marketable stock as long as they remain listed on a qualified exchange, such as The Nasdaq Global Select Market, and are regularly traded. A mark-to-market election will not apply to the common shares for any taxable year during which we are not a PFIC, but will remain in effect with respect to any subsequent taxable year in which we become a PFIC. Such election will not apply to any subsidiary that we own. Accordingly, a U.S. holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to any lower-tier PFICs notwithstanding the U.S. holder's mark-to-market election for the common shares.

The tax consequences that would apply if we were a PFIC would also be different from those described above if a U.S. holder were able to make a valid "qualified electing fund," or QEF, election. As we do not expect to provide U.S. holders with the information required in order to permit a QEF election, prospective investors should assume that a QEF election will not be available.

Each U.S. holder who is a shareholder of a PFIC must file an annual information report on IRS Form 8621 containing such information as the U.S. Treasury Department may require. The failure to file IRS Form 8621 could result in the imposition of penalties and the extension of the statute of limitations with respect to U.S. federal income tax.

The U.S. federal income tax rules relating to PFICs are very complex. Prospective U.S. investors are strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the impact of these rules on the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common shares, the consequences to them of an investment in a PFIC, any elections available with respect to the common shares and the IRS information reporting obligations with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the common shares.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

Certain U.S. holders who are individuals, estates or trusts are subject to a 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their "net investment income," which generally includes dividends on the common shares and net gains from the disposition of the common shares. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts should consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to them.

U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

U.S. holders of common shares may be subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding on distributions on common shares or on the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of common shares paid within the United States. Payments of distributions on common shares, or the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of common shares to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding, although information reporting may apply to those

S-23


Table of Contents

payments in certain circumstances. Backup withholding will generally not apply, however, to a U.S. holder who:

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a U.S. holder under the backup withholding rules may be credited against the U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, and a U.S. holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing the appropriate claim for refund (typically a tax return) with the IRS in a timely manner.

Foreign Asset Reporting

Certain U.S. holders who are individuals are required to report information relating to an interest in the common shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for common shares held in accounts maintained by U.S. financial institutions) by filing IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) with their federal income tax return. U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding their information reporting obligations, if any, with respect to their ownership and disposition of the common shares.

S-24


Table of Contents


UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, dated March 13, 2019, between us and Jefferies LLC and Guggenheim Securities, LLC, as representatives of the underwriters named below and the joint book running managers of this offering, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective numbers of common shares opposite its name below:


UNDERWRITER
  NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

Jefferies LLC

    16,000,000  

Guggenheim Securities, LLC

    8,000,000  

JMP Securities LLC

    2,666,667  

Total

    26,666,667  

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers' certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the common shares if any of them are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the common shares as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the common shares, that you will be able to sell any of the common shares held by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

The underwriters are offering the common shares subject to their acceptance of the common shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commission and Expenses

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the common shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the offering, the public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the underwriters. No such reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

RSL, our majority shareholder, has agreed to purchase 6,666,667 common shares in this offering at the public offering price of $1.50 per share. The underwriters will not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the sale of 6,666,667 common shares to RSL.

S-25


Table of Contents

The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.


 
  PER SHARE   TOTAL  
 
  WITHOUT OPTION
TO PURCHASE
ADDITIONAL
SHARES
  WITH OPTION
TO PURCHASE
ADDITIONAL
SHARES
  WITHOUT OPTION
TO PURCHASE
ADDITIONAL
SHARES
  WITH OPTION
TO PURCHASE
ADDITIONAL
SHARES
 

Public offering price

  $ 1.50   $ 1.50   $ 40,000,000   $ 46,000,000  

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us

  $ 0.09   $ 0.09   $ 1,800,000   $ 2,160,000  

Proceeds to us, before expenses

  $ 1.41   $ 1.41   $ 38,200,000   $ 43,840,000  


(1)
Total proceeds to us, before expenses, include the proceeds from the purchase of 6,666,667 common shares in this offering by RSL, for which the underwriters will not receive any underwriting discounts or commissions.

We estimate expenses in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $360,000. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of their expenses in an amount up to $20,000.

Listing

Our common shares are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "AXGT."

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares from us at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to specified conditions, to purchase a number of additional common shares proportionate to that underwriter's initial purchase commitment as indicated in the table above. This option may be exercised only if the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed that we will not (i) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common shares, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of any common shares or any such other securities (regardless of whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of common shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), in each case without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, other than the common shares to be sold hereunder and any common shares issued upon the exercise of options granted under our existing management incentive plans and shares issuable pursuant to our outstanding warrant.

S-26


Table of Contents

Our directors and executive officers and our majority shareholder have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each of these persons or entities, with limited exceptions, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, may not, without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC, (1) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any common shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common shares (including, without limitation, common shares or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such directors, executive officers, managers and members in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant) or (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common shares or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of common shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any common shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common shares.

These restrictions terminate after the close of trading of the common shares on and including the 90th day after the date of this prospectus supplement.

Jefferies LLC may, in its sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the 90-day period, release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements. There are no existing agreements between the underwriters and any of our shareholders who will execute a lock-up agreement, providing consent to the sale of shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up period.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

Stabilization

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M under the Exchange Act, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the common shares at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either "covered" short sales or "naked" short sales.

"Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option to purchase additional common shares in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional common shares or purchasing our common shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.

"Naked" short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional common shares. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of common shares on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the common shares. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of common shares on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriter in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters'

S-27


Table of Contents

purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common shares. As a result, the price of our common shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the common shares originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common shares. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common shares on The Nasdaq Global Select Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of common shares in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.

Electronic Distribution

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the web sites or through online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of our common shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters' websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Other Activities and Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full-service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the underwriters or their respective affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the common shares offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the common shares offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment

S-28


Table of Contents

recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

Notice to Prospective Investors in EEA

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a "Relevant Member State"), no offer of common shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement has been or will be made to the public in that Relevant Member State, except that with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, an offer of such common shares may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State:

provided that no such offer of common shares shall require the Company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any common shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the common shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the common shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State, and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member States) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression "2010 PD Amending Directive" means Directive 2010/73/EU.

Notice to Prospective Investors in United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are "qualified investors" (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the information included in this document or use it as basis for taking any action. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity that this document relates to may be made or taken exclusively by relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Bermuda

Securities may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Business Act of 2003 of Bermuda which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. Additionally, non-Bermudian persons (including companies) may not carry on or engage in any trade or business in Bermuda unless such persons are permitted to do so under applicable Bermuda legislation.

S-29


Table of Contents

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

This prospectus supplement is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Australia's Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus supplement in Australia:

You confirm and warrant that you are either:

To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus is void and incapable of acceptance.

You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the common shares issued to you pursuant to this prospectus supplement for resale in Australia within 12 months of those common shares being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

No common shares have been offered or sold, and no common shares may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) or the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the common shares has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to common shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance.

This prospectus supplement has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the common shares may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the common shares will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the common shares, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the common shares described in this prospectus supplement and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any common shares in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or FIEL, and the underwriters will not offer or sell any common shares, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means, unless otherwise provided herein, any person resident in Japan, including any

S-30


Table of Contents

corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or the invitation for subscription or purchase, of the common shares may not be issued, circulated or distributed, nor may the common shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the common shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the common shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The common shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange ("SIX") or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospect supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the common shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the common shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with and the offer of common shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA) and the offer of common shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment

S-31


Table of Contents

Schemes ("CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of common shares.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

(A)    Resale Restrictions

The distribution of common shares in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these common shares are made. Any resale of the common shares in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the common shares.

(B)    Representations of Canadian Purchasers

By purchasing common shares in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

(C)    Conflicts of Interest

Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that each of the underwriters are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105 — Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.

(D)    Statutory Rights of Action

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the prospectus (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

(E)    Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

(F)    Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Canadian purchasers of common shares should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the common shares in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the common shares for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

S-32


Table of Contents


LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common shares and certain other matters of Bermuda law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited, our special Bermuda counsel. Certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, Palo Alto, California, and for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York.


EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and for each of the years in the two year period ended March 31, 2018, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2018, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2016 incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2018 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement but the registration statement includes and incorporates by reference additional information and exhibits. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies, such as ours, that file documents electronically with the SEC. The address of that site on the world wide web is http://www.sec.gov. The information on the SEC's web site is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and any references to this web site or any other web site are inactive textual references only.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus omit certain information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information on us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC's website.

We also maintain a website at http://www.axovant.com, through which you can access our SEC filings. The information set forth on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

S-33


Table of Contents


INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC permits us to "incorporate by reference" the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents rather than by including them in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and you should read it with the same care that you read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and will be considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We have filed with the SEC, and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:

We also incorporate by reference all additional documents that we file with the SEC under the terms of Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are made after the initial filing date of the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is a part and the effectiveness of the registration statement, as well as between the date of this prospectus supplement and the termination of any offering of securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to furnish and not file in accordance with SEC rules.

You may request a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference but not delivered with this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and number: Axovant Sciences Ltd., Attn: Investor Relations, 11 Times Square, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10036, telephone: (631) 892-7014. We will not, however, send exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents.

We make available free of charge on our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the SEC. You may obtain a free copy of these reports on the Investor Relations section of our website, www.axovant.com.

S-34


Table of Contents


EXCHANGE CONTROLS

The permission of the Bermuda Monetary Authority is required, pursuant to the provisions of the Exchange Control Act 1972 and related regulations, for all issuances and transfers of shares (which includes our common shares) of Bermuda companies to or from a non-resident of Bermuda for exchange control purposes, other than in cases where the Bermuda Monetary Authority has granted a general permission. The Bermuda Monetary Authority, in its notice to the public dated June 1, 2005, has granted a general permission for the issue and subsequent transfer of any securities of a Bermuda company from and/or to a non-resident of Bermuda for exchange control purposes for so long as any "Equity Securities" of the company (which includes our common shares) are listed on an "Appointed Stock Exchange" (which includes The Nasdaq Global Select Market). Additionally, we have obtained a specific permission from the Bermuda Monetary Authority for the issue and subsequent transfer of our shares, options, warrants, depository receipts, rights, loan notes, debt instruments and other securities to a resident or non-resident of Bermuda for exchange control purposes for so long as any of our shares are listed on an "Appointed Stock Exchange" (which includes The Nasdaq Global Select Market).


ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER UNITED STATES FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS

We are a Bermuda exempted company. As a result, the rights of holders of our common shares are governed by Bermuda law and our memorandum of association and bye-laws. The rights of shareholders under Bermuda law may differ from the rights of shareholders of companies incorporated in other jurisdictions. It may be difficult for investors to enforce in the United States judgments obtained in U.S. courts against us based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws. Our registered office address in Bermuda is Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda.

We have been advised by our special Bermuda counsel that there is no treaty in force between the United States and Bermuda providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. As a result, whether a U.S. judgment would be enforceable in Bermuda against us or our directors and officers depends on whether the U.S. court that entered the judgment is recognized by a Bermuda court as having jurisdiction over us or our directors and officers, as determined by reference to Bermuda conflict of law rules. The courts of Bermuda would recognize as a valid judgment, a final and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in a U.S. court pursuant to which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty). The courts of Bermuda would give a judgment based on such a U.S. judgment as long as (1) the U.S. court had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to the judgment; (2) the U.S. court did not contravene the rules of natural justice of Bermuda; (3) the U.S. judgment was not obtained by fraud; (4) the enforcement of the U.S. judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of Bermuda; (5) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of Bermuda; (6) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of Bermuda; and (7) the U.S. judgment is not inconsistent with any judgment of the courts of Bermuda in respect of the same matter.

In addition, and irrespective of jurisdictional issues, the Bermuda courts will not enforce a U.S. federal securities law that is either penal or contrary to Bermuda public policy. We have been advised that an action brought pursuant to a public or penal law, the purpose of which is the enforcement of a sanction, power or right at the instance of the state in its sovereign capacity, is unlikely to be entertained by a Bermuda court. Certain remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including certain remedies under U.S. federal securities laws, would not be available under Bermuda law or enforceable in a Bermuda court, as they are likely to be contrary to Bermuda public policy. Further, it may not be possible to pursue direct claims in Bermuda against us or our directors and officers for alleged violations of U.S. federal securities laws because these laws are unlikely to have extraterritorial effect and do not have force of law in Bermuda. A Bermuda court may, however, impose civil liability on us or our directors and officers if the facts alleged and proved in the Bermuda proceedings constitute or give rise to a cause of action under the applicable governing law, not being a foreign public, penal or revenue law.

S-35


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

$750,000,000

LOGO

Common Shares
Preference Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants

        From time to time, we may offer up to $750,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable antidilution provisions.

        This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before you invest in any of the securities being offered.

        This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

        Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AXON." On December 29, 2016, the last reported sales price of our common shares was $12.32 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on the New York Stock Exchange or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the prospectus supplement.

        We will sell these securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts or over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.



        Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.



        NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.



The date of this prospectus is January 13, 2017.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

  i

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

  1

RISK FACTORS

  13

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  13

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE SHARE DIVIDENDS

  14

USE OF PROCEEDS

  14

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

  14

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

  23

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

  30

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

  32

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

  36

LEGAL MATTERS

  38

EXPERTS

  38

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

  38

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

  38

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

  39

Table of Contents


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $750,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

        Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in any documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described below under the heading "Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference," before investing in any of the securities offered.

        THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

        You should rely only on the information that we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus. This prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

        You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.

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

        Consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972 (and its related regulations) has been obtained from the Bermuda Monetary Authority for the issue and transfer of our shares, warrants and other securities to and between residents and non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes provided our shares remain listed on an appointed stock exchange, which includes the New York Stock Exchange. In granting such consent, neither the Bermuda Monetary Authority nor the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda accepts any responsibility for our financial soundness or the correctness of any of the statements made or opinions expressed in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement.

i


Table of Contents

      



PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, before making your investment decision.

        Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms "Axovant," "the Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Axovant Sciences Ltd. and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Axovant Sciences, Inc., Axovant Sciences GmbH and Axovant Holdings Limited. We use Axovant and the Axovant logo as trademarks in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks or trade names referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.


Our Company

        We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics for the treatment of dementia. We intend to develop a pipeline of product candidates to comprehensively address the cognitive, functional and behavioral aspects of dementia and related neurological disorders. Our vision is to become the leading company focused on the treatment of dementia by addressing all forms and aspects of this condition.

        Our near-term focus is to develop our lead product candidate, intepirdine, previously referred to as RVT-101, a selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, or DLB, and to develop nelotanserin, our second product candidate, a potent and highly selective 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist, for the treatment of REM behavior disorder, or RBD, in DLB patients, and visual hallucinations in patients with Lewy body dementia. In addition, we have the rights to develop RVT-103, a combination of donepezil and a peripheral muscarinic receptor antagonist, and RVT-104, a combination of rivastigmine and a peripheral muscarinic receptor antagonist, and we intend to develop these product candidates alone and in combination with intepirdine as potential treatments for patients with Alzheimer's disease or Lewy body dementia.

        We were founded in October 2014 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roivant Sciences Ltd., or RSL, a company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of late-stage product candidates that are non-strategic, deprioritized or under-resourced at other biopharmaceutical companies, with the intent of reducing the time and cost of the drug development process. We have three subsidiaries. Axovant Holdings Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Axovant Sciences Ltd., was incorporated in England and Wales in August 2016; Axovant Sciences, Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Axovant Holdings Limited, was incorporated in Delaware in February 2015 and Axovant Sciences GmbH, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Axovant Holdings Limited, was organized in Switzerland in August 2016. Our operations to date have been limited to organizing and staffing our company, raising capital, acquiring our product candidates and preparing for and advancing our product candidates, intepirdine, nelotanserin, RVT-103 and RVT-104, as potential treatments for patients with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, into clinical development.

        In June 2015, we completed our initial public offering, or IPO, from which we raised proceeds of $334.5 million, net of underwriting discounts and issuance costs. We intend to use these proceeds to fund our planned clinical development programs. We are a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE. RSL owns, in the

1


Table of Contents

aggregate, approximately 75.6% of our outstanding common shares. To date, we have not generated any revenue and we recorded net losses of $80.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2016 and $133.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2016. We have determined that we have one operating and reporting segment.


Our Product Pipeline

        The following table summarizes the status of our development programs:

Compound
  Clinical Indication   Development Stage   Global
Commercial
Rights
Intepirdine   Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's disease   Phase 3 (MINDSET Study)   Axovant

 

 

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

 

Phase 2b (HEADWAY-DLB Study)

 

Axovant

 

 

Gait and Balance in Alzheimer's disease, DLB and Parkinson's disease dementia

 

Phase 2

 

Axovant

Nelotanserin

 

Visual Hallucinations in Lewy Body Dementia

 

Phase 2

 

Axovant

 

 

REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) in DLB

 

Phase 2

 

Axovant

RVT-103

 

Alzheimer's disease

 

Proof of Concept Study

 

Axovant

RVT-104

 

Alzheimer's disease and DLB

 

Preparation for Proof of Concept Study

 

Axovant

Intepirdine

Overview

        Our lead product candidate intepirdine is currently being developed for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease and DLB. We acquired the worldwide rights to intepirdine from Glaxo Group Limited and GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Limited, collectively GSK, under an asset purchase agreement entered into in December 2014, or the GSK Agreement.

Mechanism of Action

        Intepirdine is an orally administered potent antagonist of the 5-HT6 receptor. By antagonizing the 5-HT6 receptor, intepirdine promotes the release of key neurotransmitters including acetylcholine. These neurotransmitters are believed to be critical for alertness, memory, thought and judgment, which are the key components of cognition and function that are impaired in patients with dementia.

        We believe that intepirdine's action as a 5-HT6 receptor antagonist supports its use in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors. While cholinesterase inhibitors help prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, 5-HT6 receptor antagonists promote the release of multiple neurotransmitters including acetylcholine. Therefore, when used in combination with one another, we believe that 5-HT6 receptor antagonists and cholinesterase inhibitors may increase the concentration of acetylcholine through distinct and complementary mechanisms. 5-HT6 receptors are primarily localized to the central nervous system, or CNS, particularly in regions of the brain that modulate cognition, and may impact cognition

2


Table of Contents

and neuronal function in multiple ways. Because 5-HT6 receptor antagonists do not have activity outside the CNS, we believe they should not significantly increase levels of acetylcholine outside of the CNS, and therefore should not exacerbate the peripheral side effects that are commonly associated with cholinesterase inhibitors. Intepirdine also exhibits activity as an antagonist of the 5-HT2A receptor which may further contribute to the mechanism of action of intepirdine in Alzheimer's disease and DLB.

Intepirdine for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Medical Need

        Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in significant impairments in cognition, function and behavior. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's disease affects approximately 5.3 million people in the United States. It is estimated that between 70% and 90% of Alzheimer's disease patients age 65 and older are classified as having mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. No new chemical entity has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease since 2003.

Clinical Development

        We are currently developing intepirdine for use in combination with the current standard of care in Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil, a generic drug also marketed under the trade name Aricept by Eisai Co., Ltd. and Pfizer, Inc., is the most commonly used cholinesterase inhibitor and is the background medication for all patients in our ongoing Phase 3 program in Alzheimer's disease for intepirdine. Cholinesterase inhibitors are the current standard of care for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and the only class of drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. Based on preclinical and clinical data collected to date, we believe intepirdine, when used in combination with donepezil, works additively or synergistically to increase the concentration of acetylcholine, potentially leading to improved cognition and function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

        We believe intepirdine, if approved, has the potential to be a best-in-class 5-HT6 receptor antagonist for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease based on its safety, tolerability and efficacy results for up to 48 weeks, as observed in a 684-subject, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial conducted by GSK. We believe this is significant, in part, because currently marketed Alzheimer's disease drugs were approved on efficacy data of 28 weeks or less. Furthermore, we believe intepirdine has a number of potentially favorable properties as a product candidate for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, including once daily dosing, a low potential for drug interactions, and an ability to be administered with or without food.

        Prior to our acquisition of intepirdine in December 2014, GSK conducted 13 clinical trials for intepirdine involving over 1,250 individuals, which included healthy subjects as well as subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Since our acquisition of intepirdine, we have completed five additional studies and increased the number of individuals treated with the product candidate in completed clinical studies to more than 1,300. In GSK's Phase 2b clinical trial of 684-subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, subjects who received 35 mg intepirdine in combination with donepezil achieved a 1.50 point benefit (p-value = 0.013) versus the donepezil-only group at 24 weeks following treatment initiation as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive, or ADAS-cog, subscale (pre-specified co-primary endpoint). Statistically significant improvements in cognition were also observed at 12 and 48 weeks following initiation of treatment, compared to subjects who received donepezil alone. In addition, subjects who received 35 mg intepirdine in combination with donepezil achieved a 2.00 point (p-value = 0.024) benefit versus the donepezil-only group at 24 weeks following initiation of treatment as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities

3


Table of Contents

of Daily Living, or ADCS-ADL scale, a commonly used scale evaluating a subject's ability to perform a list of daily activities. A patient's ADCS-ADL score is evaluated based on information obtained from that patient's caregiver. Statistically significant improvements of activities of daily living were also observed at 12 and 36 weeks following the initiation of treatment, compared to subjects who received donepezil alone.

        GSK's other pre-specified co-primary endpoint in the 684-patient Phase 2b trial was Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes, or CDR-SB, a composite scale with certain components that evaluate cognition and other components that assess function, at 24 weeks following treatment. While the 35 mg intepirdine dose group achieved statistically significant improvement in the CDR-SB at 12 weeks and was numerically superior at 24 weeks and further time points, the benefits at 24 weeks and beyond were not statistically significant. We have chosen the ADAS-cog and ADCS-ADL as the co-primary endpoints for our ongoing Phase 3 trial in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, the MINDSET study, which is being conducted pursuant to our Special Protocol Assessment, or SPA, agreement with the FDA.

        Intepirdine was observed to be well-tolerated by subjects in all 18 clinical trials conducted to date. In the 684-subject Phase 2b adjunctive therapy study the proportion of subjects who experienced drug-related adverse events was lower in the group that received 35 mg intepirdine with donepezil than in the group that received placebo with donepezil, at 24 weeks (6% versus 9%) and 48 weeks (7% versus 13%). There were no drug-related serious adverse events in the intepirdine groups at 24 or 48 weeks. There was one drug-related serious adverse event in the placebo group at 24 weeks. Falls were reported by fewer patients in both the 35 mg intepirdine group (2%) and the 15 mg intepirdine group (2%) compared to the placebo group (6%). There were no notable differences between the intepirdine and placebo groups in vital sign changes, electrocardiogram changes or significant changes in laboratory parameters, and there was no evidence of significant liver toxicity.

        In October 2015, we commenced a global, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled confirmatory Phase 3 clinical study of intepirdine, which we refer to as the MINDSET study, for the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. The MINDSET study is evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of intepirdine over a 24-week period and compares 35 mg, once-daily oral doses of intepirdine to placebo in approximately 1,150 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease on a background of stable donepezil therapy. The primary endpoints of the study are improvements in scores on the ADAS-cog and the ADCS-ADL scales, which have been used as endpoints supporting regulatory approval of currently-marketed Alzheimer's disease treatments in the United States and Europe. Subjects completing the MINDSET study will be eligible to enroll in a 12-month, open-label extension in which other medications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, including memantine and other cholinesterase inhibitors, may be administered in combination with intepirdine. We have received an SPA from the FDA which states that the design and planned analysis of the MINDSET study adequately address the objectives necessary to support an application for marketing approval. The MINDSET study seeks to confirm results of a prior 684-subject Phase 2b adjunctive therapy study conducted by GSK. We expect to report results from our MINDSET study in calendar year 2017. If the results of the MINDSET study are favorable, we plan to seek regulatory approval and commercialize intepirdine.

Intepirdine for the Treatment of Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Medical Need

        In addition to evaluating intepirdine in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, we are also developing intepirdine to address other forms of dementia, such as dementia with Lewy bodies, or DLB. DLB, a subset of Lewy body dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder pathologically characterized by the aggregation of alpha-synuclein and other proteins in the brain, known as Lewy

4


Table of Contents

bodies, causing disruption in cognition, function and behavior. DLB is the second most prevalent cause of neurodegenerative dementia in elderly patients. We estimate that DLB affects approximately 1.1 million people in the United States. In addition to suffering from deficits and fluctuations in cognition, DLB patients often suffer from visual hallucinations, parkinsonism, sensitivity to neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medications and REM behavior disorder, or RBD, a condition in which patients physically act out their dreams.

        DLB patients are often treated off-label with cholinesterase inhibitors. Cholinergic neurotransmission is thought to be even more dysfunctional in DLB than in Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that neurotransmitter-targeted therapies that work by increasing the inter-synaptic concentration of acetylcholine, much like intepirdine in Alzheimer's disease, may also be effective in improving cognition and function in DLB patients. While cholinesterase inhibitors are not approved by the FDA or EMA for the treatment of DLB, donepezil was approved in September 2014 in Japan for this indication. We believe that the addition of a 5-HT6 receptor antagonist, such as intepirdine, may help improve cognition in DLB patients by promoting the synaptic release of acetylcholine. In addition, intepirdine has antagonist activity against the 5-HT2A receptor, which has been implicated in the pathophysiology of visual hallucinations and other behavioral disturbances affecting patients with DLB. We believe that intepirdine has the potential to be the first drug approved by the FDA and EMA for the treatment of DLB.

Clinical Development

        In the first quarter of calendar year 2016, we began a Phase 2b clinical trial of intepirdine, called the HEADWAY-DLB study, in patients with DLB. In addition to the 35 mg dose of intepirdine that is being studied in the MINDSET study, we will evaluate a 70 mg dose of intepirdine in this trial, which we believe could have greater activity against the 5-HT2A receptor to potentially address visual hallucinations and behavioral disturbances in this patient population. This decision is supported by a safety and food-effect study testing the 70 mg dose that we completed in 2015. In September 2016, we received Fast Track designation from the FDA for intepirdine for the treatment of DLB. We expect to report results from the HEADWAY-DLB trial in calendar year 2017. If the results of the HEADWAY-DLB study are favorable, we believe that it, in combination with data from our studies in Alzheimer's disease, could serve as the basis for seeking approval of intepirdine for DLB.

Intepirdine for Gait and Balance in Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's Disease Dementia

Medical Need

        In addition to evaluating intepirdine in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease and DLB, we are also evaluating the effects of intepirdine on gait and balance in patients with Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia. In addition to cognitive deficits, these patients often present with a history of defined gait impairment.

        Falls are a significant issue in the elderly, and 35% to 40% of community-dwelling generally healthy adults over age 65 fall each year. Falls can also impose a significant economic burden on the healthcare system in addition to the serious morbidity and mortality with which they are associated. It is estimated that the direct medical costs of falls in 2015 was over $31 billion in the United States. Patients with dementia are more prone to falls due to impaired cognition, gait and balance.

5


Table of Contents

      


Clinical Development

        In September 2016, we initiated a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 crossover study of intepirdine to evaluate its effects on gait and balance in patients with Alzheimer's disease, DLB and Parkinson's disease dementia. We intend to enroll approximately 40 patients in this Phase 2 study and will seek to further explore the reduced rate of falls observed with intepirdine treatment in the prior 684-patient Phase 2b study in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease in patients on background of stable donepezil therapy. We expect to report results from the Phase 2 gait and balance study in calendar year 2017.

Nelotanserin

Overview

        In October 2015, we acquired from our parent company RSL the global rights to nelotanserin, a potent and highly selective inverse agonist of the 5-HT2A receptor. Initially, we intend to investigate and develop nelotanserin to address visual hallucinations in patients with Lewy body dementia and RBD in patients with DLB. Nelotanserin has been evaluated in eight clinical studies to date with over 800 human subjects exposed to the drug candidate and has been observed to be well tolerated, with no drug-related serious adverse events reported.

Mechanism of Action

        Nelotanserin reduces the activity of the 5-HT2A receptor. The 5-HT2A receptor has been linked to neuropsychiatric disturbances including visual hallucinations and sleep disturbances. In in vitro studies, nelotanserin did not antagonize the dopamine D2 receptor. Antagonism of the D2 receptor in Lewy body dementia patients can lead to severe side effects including increased parkinsonism, worsening of cognition, heavy sedation, and symptoms resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome which can be fatal.

Nelotanserin for Visual Hallucinations in Lewy Body Dementia

Medical Need

        Lewy body dementia includes two similar conditions, DLB and Parkinson's disease dementia, or PDD. There is significant overlap in the pathology and clinical presentation of both conditions; however, the primary difference generally depends on the timing of the onset of cognitive decline relative to the onset of movement-related symptoms. In DLB, the cognitive decline typically occurs before or within one year of the onset of movement disorder symptoms. In PDD, movement disorder symptoms typically precede cognitive decline by more than one year. The Lewy Body Dementia Association estimates that there are 1.4 million patients with Lewy body dementia in the United States.

        Lewy body dementia patients suffer from frequent visual hallucinations, which are often treated with off-label atypical antipsychotic medications such as quetiapine. Use of atypical antipsychotic medications, which have activity against the dopamine D2 receptor, can lead to increased or possibly irreversible parkinsonism in Lewy body dementia patients and a life-threatening side-effect resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome. We believe that there is a need for new therapeutic options that can reduce visual hallucinations in Lewy body dementia patients without risk of these severe side effects.

Clinical Development

        In January 2016 we initiated a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over Phase 2 clinical study of nelotanserin in approximately twenty DLB and PDD patients suffering from visual hallucinations. We expect to report preliminary results from approximately ten patients in this pilot

6


Table of Contents

study in February 2017, and we expect to report full results from this study later in the first half of calendar year 2017.

Nelotanserin for REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) in Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

Medical Need

        RBD is a common clinical feature of DLB, and is a condition in which patients physically act out their dreams, impacting their quality of life and endangering themselves and their bed partners. While off-label treatment of RBD with benzodiazepines is common, this class of drugs is associated with concerning side effects in patients with dementia, including sedation, worsening of cognition and increased risk of falls. We believe that there is a need for new therapeutic options that can reduce the frequency of RBD without sedating patients or worsening cognition in patients with dementia.

Clinical Development

        In March 2016 we initiated a four-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study in patients with DLB suffering from RBD. This study will utilize objective measures of efficacy as assessed in a sleep-lab setting, and we expect to receive results in calendar year 2017.

RVT-103 and RVT-104

Overview

        In August 2016, we licensed the rights to develop and, if successful, commercialize products that combine cholinesterase inhibitors with peripherally acting quaternary amine muscarinic receptor antagonists such as glycopyrrolate. These combinations could provide a means to mitigate the known peripheral side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors and may also allow higher than currently approved doses of cholinesterase inhibitors such as rivastigmine which may improve treatment of symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.

Mechanism of Action of RVT-103 and RVT-104

        Cholinesterase inhibitors are dose-limited by their gastrointestinal tolerability profile, which limits patient adoption and compliance. Muscarinic receptor antagonists in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors may reduce the gastrointestinal side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors and may also potentially allow higher than currently approved doses of cholinesterase inhibitors to be used.

        RVT-103 is a combination of donepezil with a peripherally acting quaternary amine muscarinic receptor antagonist such as glycopyrrolate. Glycopyrrolate in particular is believed to have minimal-to-no CNS penetration, which is important as it may help limit peripheral cholinergic side effects, while having only a minimal impact on the cholinergic system in the brain potentially avoiding unwanted falls and confusion.

        RVT-104 is the combination of high-dose rivastigmine and a peripherally acting quaternary amine muscarinic receptor antagonist such as glycopyrrolate. Rivastigmine has shown greater efficacy at higher-than approved doses that were not well tolerated. Unlike donepezil, which only inhibits the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, rivastigmine also inhibits the butylcholinesterase enzyme, which is also involved in the breakdown of acetylcholine. Thus, there is reason to believe that higher doses of rivastigmine could potentially lead to better efficacy because, in addition to blocking acetylcholinesterase, the activity of butylcholinesterase is also addressed.

7


Table of Contents

RVT-103 and RVT-104 in Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia

Medical Need

        Cholinesterase inhibitors are the standard of care in both Alzheimer's disease and DLB. Despite their widespread use, many patients cannot tolerate the cholinesterase inhibitors because of their cholinergic side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. We believe that drugs that can mitigate these cholinergic side effects will allow more patients to receive optimal cholinesterase inhibitor therapy.

Clinical Development

        We will initially develop RVT-103, as a potential treatment for patients with Alzheimer's disease with the ultimate goal of creating a triple combination of intepirdine, a peripherally acting quaternary amine muscarinic receptor antagonist and donepezil. We are currently enrolling patients in our proof of concept study and expect to report the initial results from this clinical study in the first half of calendar year 2017. We also expect to develop RVT-104 as a potential treatment for patients with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.


Our Key Agreements

Asset Purchase Agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for Intepirdine

        In December 2014, we acquired the worldwide rights to intepirdine from GSK. Under the GSK Agreement, we made an upfront payment of $5.0 million and made an additional $5.0 million payment in June 2016. We are obligated to pay GSK $35.0 million, $25.0 million and $10.0 million upon the receipt of marketing approval of intepirdine in the United States, the European Union and Japan, respectively, as well as an additional payment of $85.0 million for the first calendar year in which we achieve global net sales of $1.2 billion for intepirdine. Under the GSK Agreement, we are also obligated to pay a fixed 12.5% royalty based on net sales of intepirdine, subject to reduction on account of expiration of patent and regulatory exclusivity or upon generic entry.

        Our royalty obligations with respect to the GSK Agreement will end, on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, on the latest of: (1) expiration of the last valid claim of the assigned patents covering the manufacture, use or composition of such product in such country; (2) expiration of regulatory exclusivity for such product in such country; or (3) 12 years from the first commercial sale of such product in such country, or if such country is one of the five major European countries listed in the GSK Agreement, then 12 years from the first commercial sale of such product in at least three such major European countries.

        Our royalty payment obligations and milestone payment obligations under the GSK Agreement may be reduced by a portion of royalty payments, and in some cases other payments, made to third parties for rights to certain U.S. patents, in each case subject to a maximum reduction.

Arena Development Agreement for Nelotanserin

        In October 2015, we exercised an option to acquire global rights, title, interest and obligations in and to nelotanserin from our parent company RSL. In May 2015, RSL entered into a development, marketing and supply agreement for nelotanserin with Arena Pharmaceuticals, GmbH, or Arena, and we entered into a Waiver and Option Agreement with RSL. Upon the exercise of our option, we assumed RSL's rights and obligations under the development, marketing and supply agreement with Arena, or the Arena Development Agreement. Under the Waiver and Option Agreement, we recorded $5.3 million as research and development expense which was 110% of any payments made to Arena by RSL, and any costs incurred by RSL in connection with the development of nelotanserin. We will be responsible for future contingent payments under the Arena Development Agreement, including up to

8


Table of Contents

$4.0 million in potential development milestone payments, up to $37.5 million in potential regulatory milestone payments and up to $60.0 million in potential commercial milestone payments. Under the Arena Development Agreement, we are also obligated to purchase finished drug product under a fixed price equal to 15% of net sales of nelotanserin.

        The Arena Development Agreement will remain in effect until terminated: (1) by the parties' mutual agreement; (2) for any reason by us upon 90 days' written notice to Arena; (3) by either party upon written notice for the other party's material breach or insolvency event if such party fails to cure such breach or the insolvency event is not dismissed within the specified cure period; or (4) by Arena if we or our affiliates participate in a challenge to certain Arena patents.

Services Agreement with Roivant Sciences, Inc.

        We and Axovant Sciences, Inc. have entered into a services agreement with Roivant Sciences, Inc., or RSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RSL, or the Services Agreement, pursuant to which RSI provides us with services in relation to the identification of potential product candidates, project management of clinical trials and other development activities, and certain administrative and financial functions. Under the terms of our Services Agreement with RSI, we are obligated to pay or reimburse RSI for the costs it, or third parties acting on its behalf, incurs in providing services to us, including administrative and support services as well as research and development services. In addition, we are obligated to pay to RSI at a pre-determined mark-up on the costs incurred in connection with any general and administrative and research and development services provided directly by RSI. We expect that our reliance on RSI will decrease over time as we, Axovant Sciences, Inc., and our other subsidiaries continue to hire the necessary personnel to manage the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates.


Corporate Information

        We are an exempted limited company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda on October 31, 2014 under the name Roivant Neurosciences Ltd. We changed our name to Axovant Sciences Ltd. in March 2015. Our registered office is located in Bermuda at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda. We also have business operations at 14 Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda and at Axovant Sciences GmbH, c/o OBC Suisse, Aeschenvorstadt 71, 4051 Basel. The telephone number of our registered office is +1 (441) 824-8100. Our website is located at http://www.axovant.com. We do not incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information on, or accessible through, our website, and you should not consider it as part of this prospectus.


The Securities We May Offer

        We may offer common shares and preference shares, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any of such securities, with a total aggregate offering price of up to $750,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

9


Table of Contents

      

        The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

        This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

        We may sell the securities directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We, and our underwriters or agents, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

        Common Shares.    We may issue common shares from time to time. Holders of common shares have no pre-emptive, redemption, conversion or sinking fund rights. Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common shares, subject to the limitations described below. Unless a different majority is required by law or by our amended and restated bye-laws, resolutions to be approved by holders of common shares require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

        Under our amended and restated bye-laws, any U.S. person, other than any excluded person, as described below, whose controlled shares, as defined below, would constitute 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital, would have their aggregate votes reduced by our board of directors to the extent necessary such that the controlled shares of such U.S. person will constitute less than 9.5% of the voting power of all issued and outstanding shares. These reductions will be made on an automatic basis pursuant to the procedures set forth in our bye-laws. Under these provisions, certain shareholders may have their voting rights reduced to less than one vote per share, while other shareholders may have voting rights in excess of one vote per share. Any person, including any U.S. person, whose controlled shares constituted 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital immediately prior to our initial public offering are exempt from the foregoing voting restrictions. As a result, RSL and certain of its affiliates are exempt from these restrictions. For purposes of this paragraph, "controlled shares" means all of our shares directly, indirectly or constructively owned by any person, as determined pursuant to Sections 957 and 958 of the Internal

10


Table of Contents

Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. Further, our board of directors may determine that shares shall carry different voting rights as it reasonably determines, based on the advice of counsel, to be appropriate to avoid the existence of a U.S. person whose controlled shares constitute 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital.

        In addition, under our amended and restated bye-laws, shares shall not carry voting rights to the extent that our board of directors reasonably determines, based on the advice of counsel, that it is necessary to do so to avoid adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us, any of our subsidiaries or any direct or indirect holder of our common shares or its affiliates, provided that our board of directors will use reasonable efforts to afford equal treatment to similarly situated shareholders to the extent possible under the circumstances.

        In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common shares are entitled to share equally and ratably in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of our debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any issued and outstanding preference shares.

        Preference Shares.    We may issue preference shares from time to time, in one or more series. Under Bermuda law and our amended and restated bye-laws, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the shareholders (unless such shareholder action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or market on which our securities are then traded), to establish preference shares in one or more series and to determine the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of each series of the preference shares, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, preemptive rights, terms of redemption or repurchase, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of any series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common shares. Such rights, preferences, powers and limitations, as may be established, could have the effect of discouraging an attempt to obtain control of our company. Any convertible preference shares we may issue will be convertible into our common shares or exchangeable for our other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at the holder's option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

        If we sell any series of preference shares under this prospectus, we will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of such series of preference shares, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preference shares that we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preference shares. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preference shares being offered, as well as the complete certificate of designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preference shares.

        Debt Securities.    We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness. Convertible debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common shares or preference shares. Conversion may be mandatory or at the holder's option and would be at prescribed conversion rates. Upon any conversion into or exchange for our common shares, the holder of such common shares will be subject to the provisions of our amended and restated bye-laws which provide that any U.S. person, other than any excluded person, whose controlled shares would constitute 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital, will have their aggregate votes reduced by our board of directors to the extent

11


Table of Contents

necessary such that the controlled shares of such U.S. person will constitute less than 9.5% of the voting power of all issued and outstanding shares, all as further described above under "—Common Shares."

        The debt securities will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party, as trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities. Forms of indentures have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

        Warrants.    We may issue warrants for the purchase of common shares, preference shares and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common shares, preference shares and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. Upon any purchase of common shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant, the holder of such common shares will be subject to the provisions of our amended and restated bye-laws which provide that any U.S. person, other than any excluded person, whose controlled shares would constitute 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital, will have their aggregate votes reduced by our board of directors to the extent necessary such that the controlled shares of such U.S. person will constitute less than 9.5% of the voting power of all issued and outstanding shares, all as further described above under "—Common Shares."

        In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants. Forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants being offered have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

        We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue. Warrants may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.

12


Table of Contents


RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These are based on our management's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions about future events, conditions and results and on information currently available to us. Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, in the Sections entitled "Business," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto, filed with the SEC.

        Any statements in this prospectus, or incorporated herein, about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:

        In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words "may," "might," "can," "will," "to be," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "objective," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "likely," "continue" and "ongoing," or the negative or plural of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results,

13


Table of Contents

levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

        You should refer to the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus will prove to be accurate, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all.

        Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or developments occurring after the date of this prospectus, even if new information becomes available in the future.


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE SHARE DIVIDENDS

        If we offer debt securities and/or preference equity securities under this prospectus, then we will, if required at that time, provide a ratio of earnings to fixed charges and/or ratio of combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings, respectively, in the applicable prospectus supplement for such offering.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses that we may authorize to be provided to you in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby to fund our clinical development programs, including the clinical development programs for intepirdine, nelotanserin, RVT-103 and RVT-104, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to invest in or acquire businesses or technologies that we believe are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds in a non-interest bearing account.


DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

        The following description of our share capital and provisions of our memorandum of association and amended and restated bye-laws is a summary and is qualified entirely by reference to the applicable provisions of our memorandum of association, amended and restated bye-laws and the Bermuda Companies Act 1981, as amended, or the Companies Act. For information on how to obtain copies of our memorandum of association and amended and restated bye-laws, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, see "Where You Can Find Additional Information."

14


Table of Contents

General

        We are an exempted limited company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda. We are registered with the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda under registration number 49659. We were incorporated on October 31, 2014 under the name Roivant Neurosciences Ltd. We changed our name to Axovant Sciences Ltd. in March 2015. The objects of our business are unrestricted, and Axovant Sciences Ltd. has the capacity of a natural person. We can therefore undertake activities without restriction on our capacity.

        Since our incorporation, other than a subdivision of our authorized and issued share capital and our initial public offering of common shares in June 2015, there have been no material changes to our share capital, mergers, amalgamations or consolidations of us or any of our subsidiaries, no material changes in the mode of conducting our business, and no material changes in the types of products produced or services rendered. There have been no bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings with respect to us or our subsidiaries.

Share Capital

        Our authorized share capital consists of 1,000,000,000 common shares, $0.00001 par value per common share. As of September 30, 2016, we had 99,161,719 common shares issued and outstanding. All of our issued and outstanding common shares are fully paid. Pursuant to our amended and restated bye-laws, subject to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, and to any resolution of the shareholders to the contrary, our board of directors is authorized to issue any of our authorized but unissued shares. There are no limitations on the right of non-Bermudians or non-residents of Bermuda to hold or vote our shares provided our common shares remain listed on an appointed stock exchange, which includes the NYSE.

Common Shares

        Holders of common shares have no pre-emptive, redemption, conversion or sinking fund rights. Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common shares, subject to the limitations described below. Unless a different majority is required by law or by our amended and restated bye-laws, resolutions to be approved by holders of common shares require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

        Under our amended and restated bye-laws, any U.S. person, other than any excluded person, as described below, whose controlled shares, as defined below, would constitute 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital, would have their aggregate votes reduced by our board of directors to the extent necessary such that the controlled shares of such U.S. person will constitute less than 9.5% of the voting power of all issued and outstanding shares. These reductions will be made on an automatic basis pursuant to the procedures set forth in our bye-laws. Under these provisions, certain shareholders may have their voting rights reduced to less than one vote per share, while other shareholders may have voting rights in excess of one vote per share. Any person, including any U.S. person, whose controlled shares constituted 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital immediately prior to our initial public offering, will be exempt from the foregoing voting restrictions. As a result, Roivant Sciences Ltd. and certain of its affiliates are exempt from these restrictions. For purposes of this paragraph, "controlled shares" means all of our shares directly, indirectly or constructively owned by any person, as determined pursuant to Sections 957 and 958 of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. Further, our board of directors may determine that shares shall carry different voting rights as it reasonably determines, based on the advice of counsel, to be appropriate to avoid the existence of a U.S. person whose controlled shares constitute 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital.

15


Table of Contents

        In addition, under our amended and restated bye-laws, shares shall not carry voting rights to the extent that our board of directors reasonably determines, based on the advice of counsel, that it is necessary to do so to avoid adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us, any of our subsidiaries or any direct or indirect holder of our common shares or its affiliates, provided that our board of directors will use reasonable efforts to afford equal treatment to similarly situated shareholders to the extent possible under the circumstances.

        In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common shares are entitled to share equally and ratably in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of our debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any issued and outstanding preference shares.

Preference Shares

        Pursuant to Bermuda law and our amended and restated bye-laws, our board of directors may, by resolution, establish one or more series of preference shares having such number of shares, designations, dividend rates, relative voting rights, conversion or exchange rights, redemption rights, liquidation rights and other relative participation, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions as may be fixed by the board of directors without any further shareholder approval. Preference shares could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preference shares may have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common shares and may adversely affect the voting power of holders of common shares and reduce the likelihood that common shareholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

        Our board of directors will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of each series, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the preference shares of each series that we offer under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit 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 any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preference shares we are offering before the issuance of that series of preference shares. This description will include:

16


Table of Contents

Dividend Rights

        Under Bermuda law, a company may not declare or pay dividends if there are reasonable grounds for believing that (1) the company is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or (2) that the realizable value of its assets would thereby be less than its liabilities. Under our amended and restated bye-laws, each common share is entitled to dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferred dividend right of the holders of any preference shares. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Variation of Rights

        If at any time we have more than one class of shares, the rights attaching to any class, unless otherwise provided for by the terms of issue of the relevant class, may be varied either: (1) with the consent in writing of the holders of 75% of the issued shares of that class; or (2) with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of the relevant class of shareholders at which a quorum consisting of at least two persons holding or representing one-third of the issued shares of the relevant class is present. Our amended and restated bye-laws specify that the creation or issue of shares ranking equally with existing shares will not, unless expressly provided by the terms of issue of existing shares, vary the rights attached to existing shares. In addition, the creation or issue of preference shares ranking prior to common shares will not be deemed to vary the rights attached to common shares or, subject to the terms of any other class or series of preference shares, to vary the rights attached to any other class or series of preference shares.

Transfer of Shares

        Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion and without assigning any reason, refuse to register the transfer of a share on the basis that it is not fully paid. Our board of directors may also refuse to recognize an instrument of transfer of a share unless it is accompanied by the relevant share

17


Table of Contents

certificate and such other evidence of the transferor's right to make the transfer as our board of directors shall reasonably require or unless all applicable consents, authorizations and permissions of any governmental agency or body in Bermuda have been obtained or if it appears to our board of directors that certain tax, regulatory or legal consequences for us, any subsidiary of ours, holders of our common shares or their affiliates would result from the transfer. Subject to these restrictions, a holder of common shares may transfer the title to all or any of his common shares by completing a form of transfer in the form set out in our amended and restated bye-laws (or as near thereto as circumstances admit) or in such other common form as our board of directors may accept. The instrument of transfer must be signed by the transferor and transferee, although in the case of a fully paid share our board of directors may accept the instrument signed only by the transferor.

Meetings of Shareholders

        Under Bermuda law, a company is required to convene at least one general meeting of shareholders each calendar year, which we refer to as the annual general meeting. However, the shareholders may by resolution waive this requirement, either for a specific year or period of time, or indefinitely. When the requirement has been so waived, any shareholder may, on notice to the company, terminate the waiver, in which case an annual general meeting must be called. We have chosen not to waive the convening of an annual general meeting.

        Bermuda law provides that a special general meeting of shareholders may be called by the board of directors of a company and must be called upon the request of shareholders holding not less than 10% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying the right to vote at general meetings. Bermuda law also requires that shareholders be given at least five days' advance notice of a general meeting, but the accidental omission to give notice to any person does not invalidate the proceedings at a meeting. Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that our principal executive officer or the chairman or any two directors or any director and the secretary or board of directors may convene an annual general meeting and our principal executive officer or the chairman or any two directors or any director and the secretary or our board of directors may convene a special general meeting. Under our amended and restated bye-laws, at least 14 days' notice of an annual general meeting or ten days' notice of a special general meeting must be given to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting. This notice requirement is subject to the ability to hold such meetings on shorter notice if such notice is agreed: (1) in the case of an annual general meeting by all of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at such meeting; or (2) in the case of a special general meeting by a majority in number of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting holding not less than 95% in nominal value of the shares entitled to vote at such meeting. Subject to the rules of the NYSE, the quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders is two or more persons present in person at the start of the meeting and representing in person or by proxy in excess of 50% of all issued and outstanding common shares.

Access to Books and Records and Dissemination of Information

        Members of the general public have a right to inspect the public documents of a company available at the office of the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda. These documents include a company's amended and restated memorandum of association, including its objects and powers, and certain alterations to the amended and restated memorandum of association. The shareholders have the additional right to inspect the bye-laws of the company, minutes of general meetings and the company's audited financial statements, which must be presented in the annual general meeting. The register of members of a company is also open to inspection by shareholders and by members of the general public without charge. The register of members is required to be open for inspection for not less than two hours in any business day (subject to the ability of a company to close the register of members for not more than thirty days in a year). A company is required to maintain its share register in Bermuda but may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act establish a branch register outside

18


Table of Contents

of Bermuda. A company is required to keep at its registered office a register of directors and officers that is open for inspection for not less than two hours in any business day by members of the public without charge. Bermuda law does not, however, provide a general right for shareholders to inspect or obtain copies of any other corporate records.

Election and Removal of Directors

        Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that our board of directors shall consist of such number of directors as the board of directors may determine. Our board of directors consists of seven directors and is divided into three classes that are, as nearly as possible, of equal size. Each class of directors is elected for a three-year term of office, but the terms will be staggered so that the term of only one class of directors expires at each annual general meeting. The initial terms of the Class I, Class II and Class III directors will expire in 2019, 2017 and 2018, respectively. At each succeeding annual general meeting, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at the annual general meeting will be elected for a three-year term.

        A shareholder holding any percentage of the common shares in issue may propose for election as a director someone who is not an existing director or is not proposed by our board of directors. Where a director is to be elected at an annual general meeting, notice of any such proposal for election must be given not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the anniversary of the last annual general meeting prior to the giving of the notice or, in the event the annual general meeting is called for a date that is not less than 30 days before or after such anniversary the notice must be given not later than ten days following the earlier of the date on which notice of the annual general meeting was posted to shareholders or the date on which public disclosure of the date of the annual general meeting was made. Where a director is to be elected at a special general meeting, provided, however, that our board of directors has determined that shareholders may nominate persons for election at such special general meeting, notice of any shareholder proposal for election must be given not later than seven days following the earlier of the date on which notice of the special general meeting was posted to shareholders or the date on which public disclosure of the date of the special general meeting was made.

        A director may be removed, only with cause, by the shareholders, provided notice of the shareholders meeting convened to remove the director is given to the director. The notice must contain a statement of the intention to remove the director and a summary of the facts justifying the removal and must be served on the director not less than 14 days before the meeting. The director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.

Proceedings of Board of Directors

        Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that our business is to be managed and conducted by our board of directors. Bermuda law permits individual and corporate directors and there is no requirement in our bye-laws or Bermuda law that directors hold any of our shares. There is also no requirement in our amended and restated bye-laws or Bermuda law that our directors must retire at a certain age.

        The compensation of our directors will be determined by the board of directors, and there is no requirement that a specified number or percentage of "independent" directors must approve any such determination. Our directors may also be paid all travel, hotel and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses properly incurred by them in connection with our business or their duties as directors.

        A director who discloses a direct or indirect interest in any contract or arrangement with us as required by Bermuda law will not be entitled to vote in respect of any such contract or arrangement in which he or she is interested unless the chairman of the relevant meeting of the Board of Directors determines that such director is not disqualified from voting.

19


Table of Contents

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        Section 98 of the Companies Act provides generally that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors, officers and auditors against any liability which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise be imposed on them in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, except in cases where such liability arises from fraud or dishonesty of which such director, officer or auditor may be guilty in relation to the company. Section 98 further provides that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors, officers and auditors against any liability incurred by them in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is awarded in their favor or in which they are acquitted or granted relief by the Supreme Court of Bermuda pursuant to Section 281 of the Companies Act.

        Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that we shall indemnify our officers and directors in respect of their actions and omissions, except in respect of their fraud or dishonesty, and that we shall advance funds to our officers and directors for expenses incurred in their defense upon receipt of an undertaking to repay the funds if any allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved. Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that the shareholders waive all claims or rights of action that they might have, individually or in right of the company, against any of the company's directors or officers for any act or failure to act in the performance of such director's or officer's duties, except in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of such director or officer. Section 98A of the Companies Act permits us to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any officer or director in respect of any loss or liability attaching to him in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, whether or not we may otherwise indemnify such officer or director. We have purchased and maintain a directors' and officers' liability policy for such purpose.

Amendment of Memorandum of Association and Bye-laws

        Bermuda law provides that the memorandum of association of a company may be amended by a resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders. Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that no bye-law shall be rescinded, altered or amended, and no new bye-law shall be made, unless it shall have been approved by a resolution of our board of directors and by a resolution of our shareholders. Bye-laws relating to voting by poll, election of directors, classes of directors, removal of directors, indemnification and exculpation of directors and officers, changes to the memorandum of association and winding-up shall not be rescinded, altered or amended without a resolution of our board of directors including the affirmative vote of 662/3% of the directors then in office and a resolution of our shareholders including the affirmative vote of 662/3% of all votes entitled to be cast on the resolution.

        Under Bermuda law, the holders of an aggregate of not less than 20% in par value of a company's issued share capital or any class thereof have the right to apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda for an annulment of any amendment of the memorandum of association adopted by shareholders at any general meeting, other than an amendment that alters or reduces a company's share capital as provided in the Companies Act. Where such an application is made, the amendment becomes effective only to the extent that it is confirmed by the Supreme Court of Bermuda. An application for an annulment of an amendment of the memorandum of association must be made within 21 days after the date on which the resolution altering the company's memorandum of association is passed and may be made on behalf of persons entitled to make the application by one or more of their number as they may appoint in writing for the purpose. No application may be made by shareholders voting in favor of the amendment.

20


Table of Contents

Amalgamations and Mergers

        The amalgamation or merger of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation (other than certain affiliated companies) requires the amalgamation or merger agreement to be approved by the company's board of directors and by its shareholders. Unless the company's bye-laws provide otherwise, the approval of 75% of the shareholders voting at such meeting is required to approve the amalgamation or merger agreement, and the quorum for such meeting must be two or more persons holding or representing more than one-third of the issued shares of the company. Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that the approval of a simple majority of shareholders voting at a meeting to approve the amalgamation or merger agreement shall be sufficient, and the quorum for such meeting shall be two or more persons present at the start of the meeting and holding or representing more than 50% of the issued voting shares.

        Under Bermuda law, in the event of an amalgamation or merger of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation, a shareholder of the Bermuda company who did not vote in favor of the amalgamation or merger and who is not satisfied that fair value has been offered for such shareholder's shares may, within one month of notice of the shareholders meeting, apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda to appraise the fair value of those shares.

Business Combinations

        Although the Companies Act does not contain specific provisions regarding "business combinations" between companies organized under the laws of Bermuda and "interested shareholders," we have included these provisions in our bye-laws. Specifically, our bye-laws contain provisions which prohibit us from engaging in a business combination with an interested shareholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, unless, in addition to any other approval that may be required by applicable law:

        For purposes of these provisions, a "business combination" includes recapitalizations, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, exchanges, asset sales, leases, certain issues or transfers of shares or other securities and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested shareholder. An "interested shareholder" is any person or entity that beneficially owns 15% or more of our issued and outstanding voting shares and any person or entity affiliated with or controlling or controlled by that person or entity.

Shareholder Suits

        Class actions and derivative actions are generally not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. The Bermuda courts, however, would ordinarily be expected to permit a shareholder to commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong to the company where the act complained of is alleged to be beyond the corporate power of the company or illegal, or would result in the violation of the company's memorandum of association or bye-laws. Furthermore, consideration would be given by

21


Table of Contents

a Bermuda court to acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud against the minority shareholders or, for instance, where an act requires the approval of a greater percentage of the company's shareholders than that which actually approved it.

        When the affairs of a company are being conducted in a manner that is oppressive or prejudicial to the interests of some part of the shareholders, one or more shareholders may apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda, which may make such order as it sees fit, including an order regulating the conduct of the company's affairs in the future or ordering the purchase of the shares of any shareholders by other shareholders or by the company.

        Our amended and restated bye-laws contain a provision by virtue of which our shareholders waive any claim or right of action that they have, both individually and on our behalf, against any director or officer in relation to any action or failure to take action by such director or officer, except in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of such director or officer. We have been advised by the SEC that in the opinion of the SEC, the operation of this provision as a waiver of the right to sue for violations of federal securities laws would likely be unenforceable in U.S. courts.

Capitalization of Profits and Reserves

        Pursuant to our amended and restated bye-laws, our board of directors may (1) capitalize any part of the amount of our share premium or other reserve accounts or any amount credited to our profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution by applying such sum in paying up unissued shares to be allotted as fully paid bonus shares pro rata (except in connection with the conversion of shares) to the shareholders; or (2) capitalize any sum standing to the credit of a reserve account or sums otherwise available for dividend or distribution by paying up in full, partly paid or nil paid shares of those shareholders who would have been entitled to such sums if they were distributed by way of dividend or distribution.

Untraced Shareholders

        Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that our board of directors may forfeit any dividend or other monies payable in respect of any shares that remain unclaimed for six years from the date when such monies became due for payment. In addition, we are entitled to cease sending dividend warrants and checks by post or otherwise to a shareholder if such instruments have been returned undelivered to, or left uncashed by, such shareholder on at least two consecutive occasions or, following one such occasion, reasonable enquires have failed to establish the shareholder's new address. This entitlement ceases if the shareholder claims a dividend or cashes a dividend check or a warrant.

Certain Provisions of Bermuda Law

        We have been designated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes. This designation allows us to engage in transactions in currencies other than the Bermudan dollar, and there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds (other than funds denominated in Bermudan dollars) in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to U.S. residents who are holders of our common shares.

        The Bermuda Monetary Authority has given its consent for the issue and free transferability of any of our shares, warrants and other securities to and between residents and non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes, provided our shares remain listed on an appointed stock exchange, which includes the NYSE. Approvals or permissions given by the Bermuda Monetary Authority do not constitute a guarantee by the Bermuda Monetary Authority as to our performance or our creditworthiness. Accordingly, in giving such consent or permissions, neither the Bermuda Monetary Authority nor the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda shall be liable for the financial soundness, performance or default of our business or for the correctness of any opinions or statements expressed

22


Table of Contents

in this prospectus. Certain issues and transfers of shares involving persons deemed resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes require the specific consent of the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

        In accordance with Bermuda law, share certificates are only issued in the names of companies, partnerships or individuals. In the case of a shareholder acting in a special capacity (for example as a trustee), certificates may, at the request of the shareholder, record the capacity in which the shareholder is acting. Notwithstanding such recording of any special capacity, we are not bound to investigate or see to the execution of any such trust.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        A register of holders of the common shares will be maintained by Codan Services Limited in Bermuda, and a branch register will be maintained in the United States by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, which also serves as transfer agent. The transfer agent's address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.

        The transfer agent for any series of preference shares that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

Listing

        Our common shares are listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "AXON."


DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

        We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

        The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indentures is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

23


Table of Contents

General

        The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

        We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as "discount securities," which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with "original issue discount," or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

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

24


Table of Contents

Conversion or Exchange Rights

        We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common shares or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions

25


Table of Contents

pursuant to which the number of shares of our common shares or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

        Upon any conversion into or exchange for our common shares, the holder of such common shares will be subject to the provisions of our amended and restated bye-laws which provide that any U.S. person, other than any excluded person, whose controlled shares would constitute 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital, will have their aggregate votes reduced by our board of directors to the extent necessary such that the controlled shares of such U.S. person will constitute less than 9.5% of the voting power of all issued and outstanding shares, all as further described above under "Description of Share Capital—Common Shares."

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

        Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

Events of Default under the Indenture

        Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

        If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

26


Table of Contents

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

        Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

        A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

        These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

        We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

        We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

27


Table of Contents

        In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

Discharge

        Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

28


Table of Contents

        In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

        We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

        Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

        We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

        If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

Information Concerning the Trustee

        The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

29


Table of Contents

Payment and Paying Agents

        Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

        We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

        All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

        The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.


DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may issue under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common shares, preference shares or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be issued independently or together with common shares, preference shares or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. 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 that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

        We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants being offered as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. 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 agreement, if any, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under

30


Table of Contents

this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

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

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

31


Table of Contents

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. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

        Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent in connection with the exercise of the warrant.

        Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

        Upon any purchase of common shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant, the holder of such common shares will be subject to the provisions of our amended and restated bye-laws which provide that any U.S. person, other than any excluded person, whose controlled shares would constitute 9.5% or more of the total voting power of our issued share capital, will have their aggregate votes reduced by our board of directors to the extent necessary such that the controlled shares of such U.S. person will constitute less than 9.5% of the voting power of all issued and outstanding shares, all as further described above under "Description of Share Capital—Common Shares."

Governing Law

        Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and 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 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.


LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

        We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee or depositary maintain for

32


Table of Contents

this purpose as the "holders" of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as "indirect holders" of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

Book-Entry Holders

        We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

        Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Global securities will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for global securities, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

        As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary's book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

        We may terminate a global security or issue securities that are not issued in global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in "street name." Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

        For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any such trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

        Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee or third party employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

33


Table of Contents

        For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture, or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

        If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

Global Securities

        A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

        Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

        A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under "—Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated." As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

        If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued as a global security, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another

34


Table of Contents

book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations For Global Securities

        As an indirect holder, an investor's rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor's financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

        If securities are issued only as global securities, an investor should be aware of the following:

        There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated

        In a few special situations described below, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

35


Table of Contents

        A global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

        The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and neither we nor any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

        We may also sell equity securities covered by this registration statement in an "at the market offering" as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Such offering may be made into an existing trading market for such securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:

        Such at-the-market offerings, if any, may be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent.

        A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

36


Table of Contents

        Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

        If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

        We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities, and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

        We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

        We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities related to offerings pursuant to this prospectus, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

        All securities we offer, other than common shares, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

        Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

        Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the New York Stock Exchange may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the New York Stock Exchange in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, however, the passive

37


Table of Contents

market maker's bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

        In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.


LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters in connection with the offering and the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, will be passed upon by Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited, our special Bermuda counsel. Cooley LLP will pass upon legal matters for us regarding the validity of the debt securities and warrants under New York law.


EXPERTS

        The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2016 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement, as well as any other document filed by us with the SEC, at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Axovant. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

        We maintain a website at www.axovant.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.


INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed

38


Table of Contents

separately with the SEC. The SEC file number for the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is 001-37418. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain important information that you should read about us.

        The following documents are incorporated by reference into this document:

        We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, or (ii) after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

        We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to: Axovant Sciences Ltd., Attn: Investor Relations, 320 W. 37th Street, New York, NY 10018, telephone: (212) 634-9744.

        Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the document to the extent that a statement contained in this document or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document modifies or supersedes the statement.


DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR
SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

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

39


Table of Contents

 

26,666,667 Shares

LOGO


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT


Joint Book-Running Managers

Jefferies

Guggenheim Securities

Lead Manager

JMP Securities



March 13, 2019