Exhibit 5.1

 

Matthew B. Hemington

+1 650 843 5062

hhemingtonmb@cooley.com

December 12, 2019

SCYNEXIS, Inc.

1 Evertrust Plaza, 13^th Floor

Jersey City, New Jersey 07302-6548

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to SCYNEXIS, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the sale of up to 44,722,222 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), and warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 44,722,222 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Warrant Shares”), pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-227167) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), the prospectus included within the Registration Statement (the “Base Prospectus”) and the prospectus supplement dated December 10, 2019, and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations of the Act (together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, your certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as currently in effect, and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies, the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials, and the due execution and delivery of all documents by all persons other than the Company where due execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not sought independently to verify such matters.

With regard to our opinion regarding the Warrants and the Warrant Shares, (i) we have assumed that the exercise price of the Warrants at the time of exercise is equal to or greater than the par value of the Company’s common stock, and (ii) we express no opinion to the extent that, notwithstanding its current reservation of shares of the Company’s common stock, future issuances of securities, including the Warrant Shares, of the Company, including the Warrants, of the Company cause the Warrants to be exercisable for more shares of the Company’s common stock than the number that then remain authorized but unissued.

Our opinion is expressed only with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and, as to the Warrants constituting valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, with respect to the laws of the State of New York. We express no opinion to the extent that any other laws are applicable to the subject matter hereof and express no opinion and provide no assurance as to compliance with any federal or state securities law, rule or regulation.

With regard to our opinion concerning the Warrants constituting valid and binding obligations of the Company:

(i) Our opinion is subject to, and may be limited by, (a) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, debtor and creditor, and similar laws which relate to or affect creditors’ rights generally, and (b) general principles of equity (including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing) regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

(ii) Our opinion is subject to the qualification that (a) the enforceability of provisions for indemnification or limitations on liability may be limited by applicable law and by public policy considerations, and (b) the availability of specific performance, an injunction or other equitable remedies is subject to the discretion of the court before which the request is brought;

(iii) We express no opinion with respect to any provision of the Warrants that: (a) relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of any federal court of the United States of America or any federal appellate court to adjudicate any controversy related to the Warrants; (b) specifies provisions may be waived in writing, to the extent that an oral agreement or implied agreement by trade practice or course of conduct has been created that modifies such provision; (c) contains a waiver of an inconvenient forum; (d) provides for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, prepayment or make-whole payments or other economic remedies; (e) relates to advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitations, trial by jury, service of process or procedural rights; (f) restricts non-written modifications and waivers; (g) provides for the payment of legal and other professional fees where such payment is contrary to law or public policy; (h) relates to exclusivity, election or accumulation of rights or remedies; or (i) provides that provisions of the Warrants are severable to the extent an essential part of the agreed exchange is determined to be invalid and unenforceable; and

(iv) We express no opinion as to whether a state court outside of the State of New York or a federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for in the Warrants.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, (ii) the Warrants, when duly executed by the Company and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment therefor as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, and (iii) the Warrant Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Our opinion is limited to the matters stated herein and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein.

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission for incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,
COOLEY LLP
By:		/s/ Matthew B. Hemington
		Matthew B. Hemington

Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130

t: (650) 843-5000 f: (650) 849-7400 cooley.com