UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
Kiromic BioPharma, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
497634204
(CUSIP Number)
Brian Hungerford
c/o Kiromic BioPharma Inc.
7707 Fannin, Suite 200
Houston, Texas 77054
(832) 968-4888
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
With a copy to:
Jeffrey Fessler
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
(212) 653-8700
May 14, 2024
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. ¨
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
| * | The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. |
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
| CUSIP NO. 497634204 | SCHEDULE 13D |
| 1 | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
Shannon Ralston | ||
| 2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨ | ||
| 3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||
| 4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS
PF | ||
| 5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
¨ | ||
| 6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America | ||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
2,783,140 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 3,438,904 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 5,021,616 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Senior Secured Convertible Notes (See Item 5)*
| |
| 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
| ||
| 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,783,140 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 3,438,904 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 5,021,616 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Senior Secured Convertible Notes (See Item 5)*
| ||
| 10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
| ||
| 11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,783,140 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 3,438,904 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 5,021,616 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Senior Secured Convertible Notes (See Item 5)*
| ||
| 12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
¨ | ||
| 13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
19.99% (See Item 5)* | ||
| 14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
IN | ||
*As more fully described in Item 5, the Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, the Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock and the Senior Secured Convertible Notes are subject to a 19.99% blocker, and the percentage set forth in row (13) gives effect to such blocker. However, as more fully described in Item 5, the securities reported in rows (7), (9) and (11) show the number of shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon full exercise of such reported securities and do not give effect to such blocker. Therefore, the actual number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Reporting Person, after giving effect to such blocker, is less than the number of securities reported in rows (7), (9) and (11).
| CUSIP NO. 497634204 | SCHEDULE 13D |
| 1 | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
S.hield Cap1tal Funding LLC | ||
| 2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨ | ||
| 3 | SEC USE ONLY | ||
| 4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS
PF | ||
| 5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
¨ | ||
| 6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America | ||
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
2,783,140 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 3,438,904 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 5,021,616 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Senior Secured Convertible Notes (See Item 5)*
| |
| 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
| ||
| 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,783,140 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 3,438,904 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 5,021,616 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Senior Secured Convertible Notes (See Item 5)*
| ||
| 10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
| ||
| 11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,783,140 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 3,438,904 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (See Item 5)* 5,021,616 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Senior Secured Convertible Notes (See Item 5)*
| ||
| 12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
¨ | ||
| 13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
19.99% (See Item 5)* | ||
| 14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
OO | ||
*As more fully described in Item 5, the Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, the Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock and the Senior Secured Convertible Notes are subject to a 19.99% blocker, and the percentage set forth in row (13) gives effect to such blocker. However, as more fully described in Item 5, the securities reported in rows (7), (9) and (11) show the number of shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon full exercise of such reported securities and do not give effect to such blocker. Therefore, the actual number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Reporting Person, after giving effect to such blocker, is less than the number of securities reported in rows (7), (9) and (11).
| Item 1. | Security and Issuer. |
This Schedule 13D (this “Statement”) relates to the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Issuer. The principal executive office of the Issuer is located at 7707 Fannin, Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77054.
| Item 2. | Identity and Background. |
(a) This Statement is being filed jointly on behalf of Shannon Ralston and S.hield Cap1tal Funding LLC (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”). The Reporting Persons have entered into a joint filing agreement, dated as of May 20, 2024, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
Each of the Reporting Persons disclaims beneficial ownership of all securities reported in this Statement except to the extent of such Reporting Person’s pecuniary interest therein, other than those securities reported herein as being held directly by such Reporting Person.
(b) The business address of the Reporting Persons is c/o Kiromic BioPharma, Inc., 7707 Fannin, Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77054.
(c) Shannon Ralston is the sole member of S.hield Cap1tal Funding LLC.
(d)–(e) During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons has been (i) convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Shannon Ralston is a citizen of the United States of America and S.hield Cap1tal Funding LLC is incorporated in Texas.
| Item 3. | Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration. |
The Reporting Persons beneficially own an aggregate of 11,243,660 shares of common stock (the “Subject Shares”) without taking into account the Blocker (as defined herein).
The Subject Shares are issuable upon conversion of Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, Series D Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (collectively, the “Preferred Stock”) and 25% Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes (collectively, the “Notes” and together with the Preferred Stock, the “Securities”). The Securities were acquired by or on behalf of the Reporting Persons by S.hield Cap1tal Funding LLC.
| Item 4. | Purpose of Transaction. |
The Reporting Persons do not have any present plans or proposals of the types set forth in paragraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D. The Reporting Persons may, from time to time, acquire additional securities or dispose of all or a portion of the common stock that she or it beneficially owns, either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
| Item 5. | Interest in Securities of the Issuer. |
(a) The percentage set forth in Row 13 of the cover page for each Reporting Person is based on 1,542,420 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of May 15, 2024, as represented in the Issuer’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2024 and assumes the conversion of the Company’s Securities (as defined below) subject to the Blocker (as defined below).
Pursuant to the terms of the Securities, the Reporting Persons cannot convert the Securities to the extent the Reporting Persons would beneficially own, after any such conversion, more than 19.99% of the outstanding shares of common stock (the "Blocker"), and the percentage set forth in Row 13 of the cover page for each Reporting Person gives effect to the Blocker. Consequently, as of the date of the event which requires the filing of this statement, the Reporting Persons were not able to convert all of the Securities due to the Blocker.
| (b) |
No other person is known to the Reporting Persons to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the Subject Shares, except that the Reporting Persons have the right to receive dividends from, and proceeds from the sale of, the shares of common stock held of record. |
| (c) | Not applicable. |
| (d) | Not applicable. |
| (e) | Not applicable. |
| Item 6. | Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer. |
None.
| Item 7. | Material to be Filed as Exhibits. |
| Exhibit 1: Joint Filing Agreement, dated May 20, 2024 |
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of the undersigned’s knowledge and belief, the undersigned hereby certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
| Dated: May 20, 2024 | /s/ Shannon Ralston | |
| Shannon Ralston | ||
| S.hield Cap1tal Funding LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Shannon Ralston | |
| Name: Shannon Ralston | ||
| Title: | ||
EXHIBIT 1
The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all subsequent amendments to such statement on Schedule 13D shall be filed on behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint filing statements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the other entity or person, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.
Dated: May 20, 2024
| Shannon Ralston | ||
| /s/ Shannon Ralston | ||
| S.hield Cap1tal Funding LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Shannon Ralston | |
| Name: Shannon Ralston | ||
| Title: | ||