Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-205120

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated July 1, 2015)

5,333,334 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock



        Agile Therapeutics, Inc. is offering 5,333,334 shares of common stock.



        Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "AGRX". The last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market on August 2, 2017 was $4.57 per share.

        We are an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus supplement and future filings.



        Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-6 and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 
  Per Share   Total  

Public offering price

  $ 3.750   $ 20,000,002  

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

  $ 0.225   $ 1,200,000  

Offering proceeds to us, before expenses

  $ 3.525   $ 18,800,002  

(1)
We refer you to the section entitled "Underwriting" beginning on page S-18 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding total underwriter compensation.

        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.

        We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to 800,000 additional shares of common stock. The underwriters can exercise this right at any time within 30 days after the offering. The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to investors on or about August 8, 2017.

Joint Book-Running Managers

William Blair   RBC Capital Markets   Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

Lead Manager

Janney Montgomery Scott

Co-Manager

Noble Capital Markets



   

August 3, 2017


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

Prospectus Supplement

       

About this Prospectus Supplement

   
ii
 

Summary

    S-1  

Risk Factors

    S-6  

Use of Proceeds

    S-11  

Capitalization

    S-12  

Dilution

    S-13  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

    S-14  

Underwriting

    S-18  

Legal Matters

    S-25  

Experts

    S-25  

Where You Can Find More Information

    S-25  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

    S-25  

 

Prospectus

       

About This Prospectus

   
1
 

Agile Therapeutics, Inc. 

    2  

Forward-Looking Statements

    3  

Risk Factors

    3  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements

    4  

Use of Proceeds

    4  

Description of Capital Stock

    4  

Description of Warrants

    8  

Description of Debt Securities

    10  

Description of Rights

    18  

Description Of Units

    20  

Plan of Distribution

    20  

Legal Matters

    22  

Experts

    23  

Where You Can Find More Information

    23  

Information Incorporated by Reference

    23  

        Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together constitute an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectuses that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is current only as of its date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering when making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents we have referred you to in the section of the accompanying prospectus entitled "Information Incorporated by Reference."

i


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form 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. This document contains two parts. The first part consists of this prospectus supplement, which provides you with specific information about this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer only to the "prospectus," we are referring to both parts combined. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that any statement we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in the accompanying prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, the statements made in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying prospectus and such documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, and any related free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering.

        You should rely only on the information that we have included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus 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 supplement, the accompanying prospectus 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 supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and 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 supplement, the accompanying 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 supplement, the accompanying prospectus 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 herein or therein is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus supplement, accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.

        This prospectus supplement contains or incorporates by reference 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 or will be filed or have been or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described in this prospectus supplement under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

ii


Table of Contents

 

SUMMARY

        This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus supplement. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in shares of our common stock and it is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any applicable free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should read all such documents carefully, especially the risk factors and our financial statements and the related notes included or incorporated by reference herein or therein, before deciding to buy shares of our common stock. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to "Agile," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Agile Therapeutics, Inc.

Company Overview

        We are a forward-thinking women's healthcare company dedicated to fulfilling the unmet health needs of today's women. Our current product candidates are designed to provide women with contraceptive options that offer greater convenience and facilitate compliance. We have developed a proprietary transdermal patch technology, called Skinfusion®, which is designed to provide advantages over currently available patches and is intended to optimize patch adherence and stability as well as patient comfort. Our lead product candidate, Twirla®, also known as AG200-15, is a once-weekly prescription contraceptive patch that is at the end of Phase 3 clinical development. Twirla is a combined hormonal contraceptive, or CHC, patch that contains the active ingredients ethinyl estradiol, or EE, which is a synthetic estrogen, and levonorgestrel, or LNG, which is a type of progestin, a synthetic steroid hormone, both of which have an established history of efficacy and safety in currently marketed combination low-dose, oral contraceptives.

        Prior to our SECURE clinical trial, as discussed below, we conducted a comprehensive clinical program and completed Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials, which together enrolled over 2,100 women, over 1,500 of whom received Twirla. We have filed a Section 505(b)(2) New Drug Application, or NDA, for approval of Twirla by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, which is required before marketing a new drug in the United States. Our 505(b)(2) NDA relies, in part, on clinical trials that we conducted and, in part, on the FDA's findings of safety and efficacy from investigations for approved products containing the active ingredients and published scientific literature for which we have not obtained a right of reference. In February 2013, the FDA indicated in a Complete Response Letter, or CRL, that our NDA was not sufficient for approval as originally submitted. After multiple communications with the FDA, we received significant guidance as to what additional clinical development and other activities need to be completed prior to approval.

        In accordance with the FDA's advice and comments, we conducted an additional Phase 3 clinical trial, referred to as the SECURE clinical trial, in which we enrolled over 2,000 women for up to one year of treatment. We announced top-line data in early January 2017. In March 2017, at our request, we met with the FDA to share preliminary data from the SECURE clinical trial, including key safety data and body mass index-related efficacy findings, and to seek FDA input as to whether the SECURE clinical trial results constitute a basis for addressing the clinical deficiencies cited in the CRL. We also requested feedback on whether the proposed Twirla NDA content will meet the FDA's requirements for submission. The FDA did not provide us with any guidance on whether the results of the SECURE clinical trial and the contents of the planned, resubmitted NDA will be sufficient to obtain regulatory approval of Twirla. Based on our feedback from the FDA, we filed our NDA resubmission, which was received by the FDA on June 26, 2017. On July 27, 2017, we announced that the FDA had acknowledged the resubmitted NDA for Twirla as a complete response to the CRL, and provided a target Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, goal date of December 26, 2017. Our business plan assumes the FDA will complete its review of our NDA resubmission by the target PDUFA goal date of December 26, 2017.

S-1


Table of Contents

        We intend to commercialize Twirla in the United States, if approved, through a direct sales force. Obstetricians and gynecologists, or ObGyns, contribute 43% of the U.S. contraception prescription volume, and Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, or NP/PAs, who are often affiliated with an ObGyn practice, contribute an additional 29% of the U.S. prescriptions. We anticipate that a targeted sales force focused initially on ObGyns, NPs, PAs and primary care providers, who comprise the top prescribers of contraceptives, will be highly effective. We believe that we can address this market with a specialty sales force of approximately 70 to 100 representatives. We also intend to augment our sales force through the use of digital marketing and other techniques designed to market directly to patients. We will require additional capital for the commercial launch of Twirla, if approved.

        In addition to Twirla, we are developing a pipeline of other new transdermal contraceptive product candidates, including AG200-SP, which is a regimen designed to provide shorter, lighter periods; AG200-ER, which is a regimen designed to allow a woman to extend the length of her cycle; and AG890, which is a progestin-only contraceptive patch intended for use by women who are unable or unwilling to take estrogen. AG200-SP and AG200-ER are intended to be Twirla line extensions that would expand the use of Twirla beyond its initial, approved use. Substantially all of our resources are currently dedicated to developing and seeking regulatory approval for Twirla. We will require additional capital for advancing the development of our other product candidates.

        Our current product candidate pipeline is summarized in the graphic below:

GRAPHIC

Corporate Information

        Information concerning our business is contained in the documents that we file with the SEC as a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are accessible at www.sec.gov, and

S-2


Table of Contents

on our website at www.agiletherapeutics.com. The public can also obtain copies of these filings by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington D.C. 20549, or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. Investors should not rely on any such information in deciding whether to purchase our common stock. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

        Our principal executive offices are located at 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and our telephone number is (609) 683-1880.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

        As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we are permitted and intend to rely on exemptions from specified disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These exemptions include:

    being permitted to provide only two years of audited financial statements, in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements, with correspondingly reduced "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" disclosure;

    not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting;

    not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor's report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements;

    reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation; and

    exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

        We may take advantage of these provisions until December 31, 2019, or until such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenues, have more than $700 million in market value of our capital stock held by non-affiliates or issue more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. We may choose to take advantage of some, but not all, of the available exemptions. We have taken advantage of some reduced reporting burdens in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Accordingly, such information may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock.

        In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This provision allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of some accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

S-3


Table of Contents

 


THE OFFERING

Common stock offered by us

  5,333,334 shares

Total common stock to be outstanding after this offering

 

34,139,732 shares, or 34,939,732 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full.

Option to purchase additional shares

 

The underwriters have an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to 800,000 additional shares of our common stock.

Use of proceeds

 

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to pursue regulatory approval for Twirla, to fund activities related to commercial scale-up of our third party manufacturing operations and other activities related to the commercial launch of Twirla, if approved, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds for research and development activities related to our other product candidates, and 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 acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus supplement. See "Use of Proceeds."

Risk factors

 

You should read the "Risk Factors" section of this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-6 and the documents referred to therein for a discussion of factors to consider carefully before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

NASDAQ Global Market symbol

 

AGRX

        The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 28,806,398 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2017, and excludes:

    3,779,915 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options to purchase common stock as of June 30, 2017 at a weighted average exercise price of $5.83 per share;

    264,361 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units as of June 30, 2017;

    260,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of performance restricted stock units as of June 30, 2017;

    283,141 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan as of June 30, 2017; and

    242,779 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants as of June 30, 2017 at a weighted average exercise price of $5.92 per share.

        Except as otherwise indicated herein, all information in this prospectus supplement, including the number of shares of common stock that will be outstanding after this offering, assumes the following:

    no exercise by the underwriters' of their option to purchase additional shares in this offering; and

    no exercise of outstanding options or warrants and no additional vesting of any outstanding restricted stock unit or performance restricted stock unit, each after June 30, 2017.

S-4


Table of Contents

 


SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

        The following summary financial data for the three years ended December 31, 2016 have been derived from our audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. The following summary financial data for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017 and as of June 30, 2017 have been derived from our unaudited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Our unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and, in the opinion of our management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the information for the interim periods. Our historical results for any prior periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year or for any future period. You should read this information together with our financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the information under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" appearing in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, each as incorporated by reference herein.

 
  Year Ended December 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,  
 
  2014   2015   2016   2016   2017  
 
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
 
 
  (in thousands, except share and per share data)
 

Statement of Operations Data:

                               

Operating expenses:

                               

Research and development

  $ 13,365   $ 25,622   $ 20,929   $ 10,505   $ 8,519  

General and administrative

    5,150     7,467     8,792     4,316     5,603  

Total operating expenses

    18,515     33,089     29,721     14,821     14,122  

Operating loss

    (18,515 )   (33,089 )   (29,721 )   (14,821 )   (14,122 )

Total other (expense) income

    (1,215 )   (3,218 )   (2,095 )   (915 )   (839 )

Loss before benefit from income taxes

    (19,730 )   (36,307 )   (31,816 )   (15,736 )   (14,961 )

Benefit from income taxes

    3,653     5,972     3,075          

Net loss

  $ (16,077 )   (30,335 )   (28,741 )   (15,736 )   (14,961 )

Net Loss per share:

                               

Basic and diluted

  $ (1.41 ) $ (1.38 ) $ (1.02 ) $ (0.57 ) $ (0.52 )

Weight average shares:

                               

Basic and diluted

    11,394,971     22,017,229     28,273,331     27,785,113     28,785,827  

 

 
  As of June 30, 2017  
 
  Actual   As Adjusted(1)  
 
  (unaudited, in thousands)
 

Balance Sheet Data

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 33,938   $ 52,238  

Total assets

    47,250     65,550  

Total current liabilities

    10,223     10,223  

Long term debt, less current portion

    7,886     7,886  

Total stockholders' equity

    29,141     47,441  

(1)
The as-adjusted balance sheet data reflects the sale of 5,333,334 shares of common stock offered by us in this offering at the public offering price of $3.75 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

S-5


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

        An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risks described below and those discussed under the Section captioned "Risk Factors" contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the information and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to This Offering

         The price of our common stock may be volatile and fluctuate substantially, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the public offering price.

        The public offering price for our shares will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that actually prevail in the trading market either before or after this offering. The market price for shares of our common stock may be subject to wide fluctuations in response to many risk factors, including:

S-6


Table of Contents

        In addition, the stock market has recently experienced significant volatility, particularly with respect to pharmaceutical and other life sciences company stocks. The volatility of such stocks often does not relate to individual company performance. As we operate in a single industry, we are especially vulnerable to these factors to the extent that they affect our industry or our product candidates or, to a lesser extent, our markets. In the past, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. For example, following the drop in the price of our stock after we announced the top-line results of our Phase 3 SECURE clinical trial, on January 6, 2017, and January 20, 2017, two previously disclosed complaints captioned Peng v. Agile Therapeutics, Inc., Alfred Altomari, and Elizabeth Garner , No. 17-cv-119 (D.N.J.), and Lichtenthal v. Agile Therapeutics, Inc., Alfred Altomari, and Elizabeth Garner , No. 17-cv-405 (D.N.J.), respectively, were filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of a putative class of investors who purchased shares of our common stock from March 9, 2016, through January 3, 2017. The complaints alleged violations of the federal securities laws based on public statements made regarding our SECURE clinical trial and sought an unspecified amount of damages to be determined at trial. We denied all allegations in the complaints. On May 15, 2017, the complaints were consolidated as In re Agile Therapeutics, Inc. Securities Litigation, Master File No. 17-cv-119 (D.N.J.), and Hoyt W. Clark was appointed as class representative for the putative class. On June 26, 2017, Mr. Clark agreed to dismiss the case voluntarily, without payment by us of any consideration and with each side bearing its own attorneys' fees and costs. The presiding judge dismissed the consolidated action with prejudice as to all defendants on July 13, 2017. We also may face securities class-action litigation if we cannot obtain regulatory approvals for, or if we otherwise fail to commercialize, our product candidates, including Twirla. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could cause us to incur substantial costs to defend such claims and divert management's attention and resources, which could materially harm our financial condition and results of operations.

         Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.

        Our management will have broad discretion with respect to the use of proceeds of this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled "Use of Proceeds." You will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds of this offering. The results and effectiveness of the use of proceeds are uncertain, and we could spend the proceeds in ways that you do not agree with or that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. Our failure to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, delay the development of our product candidates and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

S-7


Table of Contents

         You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock you purchase.

        Since the public offering price for our common stock in this offering is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering. Based on the public offering price of $3.75 per share, if you purchase shares in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of $2.36 per share in the net tangible book value of the common stock. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares, you will experience additional dilution. See the section entitled "Dilution" below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase shares in this offering.

         We will need to obtain additional financing to fund our operations and, if we are unable to obtain such financing, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates.

        Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. From our inception to June 30, 2017, we have cumulative net cash flows used by operating activities of $182.0 million. As of June 30, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $208.4 million. We will need to obtain additional financing to fund our future operations, including completing the development and commercialization of Twirla and our other product candidates. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will not be sufficient to fund our current and planned operations through the next 12 months, which raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern may create negative reactions to the price of our common stock and we may have a more difficult time obtaining financing in the future. Substantially all of our resources are currently dedicated to developing and seeking regulatory approval for Twirla. We will require additional capital for the commercial launch of Twirla, if approved, as well as advancing the development of our other product candidates. We will need to obtain additional financing to conduct additional trials for the approval of our product candidate, Twirla, if requested by regulatory authorities, and to complete the development and commercialization of our other product candidates and any additional product candidates we might acquire. We expect to incur increased expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future as we (i) seek the approval of our NDA for Twirla, which was supplemented with the results of our SECURE clinical trial and accepted by the FDA with a target PDUFA goal date of December 26, 2017, to respond to the FDA's February 2013 CRL, (ii) complete the qualification and validation of our commercial manufacturing process, initiate pre-launch commercial activities, and commercially launch Twirla, (iii) advance our other product candidates and (iv) expand our research and development programs. Moreover, our fixed expenses such as rent, interest expense and other contractual commitments are substantial and are expected to increase in the future.

        Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

S-8


Table of Contents

        Until we can generate a sufficient amount of revenue, we may finance future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, license agreements, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and marketing or distribution arrangements. Additional funds may not be available when we need them on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to delay or reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of our research or development programs or our commercialization efforts. We may seek to access the public or private capital markets whenever conditions are favorable, even if we do not have an immediate need for additional capital at that time. In addition, if we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams or product candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.

        Based on our current business plan, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2017 will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements into the second quarter of 2018. Our current business plan assumes the FDA will complete its review of our NDA resubmission by the target PDUFA goal date, December 26, 2017, initiation of pre-commercial activities and initiation of validation of our commercial manufacturing process in coordination with the commercialization of Twirla, if approved. We anticipate that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second quarter of 2018 and complete activities related to qualification and validation of our commercial manufacturing process and other activities related to the commercial launch of Twirla, if approved. We cannot assure you that the FDA will approve Twirla, that the FDA's timeline for review will be within six months, or that we will timely complete the qualification and validation of our commercial manufacturing process. We expect, however, that these funds will not be sufficient to enable us to complete all necessary development of our product candidates other than Twirla, or commercially launch Twirla or our other current product candidates, if approved. Accordingly, we will be required to obtain further funding through other public or private offerings, debt financing, collaboration or licensing arrangements or other sources. Adequate additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or future commercialization efforts. Our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operating requirements is a forward- looking statement and involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary as a result of a number of factors, including the factors discussed elsewhere in this "Risk Factors" section and in

S-9


Table of Contents

Part II, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 28, 2017. We have based this estimate on a number of assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and changing circumstances beyond our control may cause us to consume capital more rapidly than we currently anticipate. Our inability to obtain additional funding when we need it could seriously harm our business.

         A significant portion of our total outstanding shares is restricted from immediate resale but may be sold into the market in the near future, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline significantly, even if our business is doing well.

        Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares of common stock intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common stock. After this offering, we will have 34,139,732 shares of common stock outstanding based on the 28,806,398 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and the issuance and sale of 5,333,334 shares of our common stock in this offering. Of these shares, 3,726,048 shares are subject to a contractual lock-up with the underwriters for this offering for a period of 90 days following this offering. These shares can be sold, subject to any applicable volume limitations under federal securities laws, after the earlier of the expiration of, or release from, the 90-day lock-up period. The balance of our outstanding shares of common stock may be freely sold in the public market at any time. Moreover, certain holders of our common stock have rights, subject to conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering their shares or to include their shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or other stockholders.

        In addition, as of June 30, 2017, there were 4,304,276 shares subject to outstanding grants under our equity incentive plans, all of which shares we have registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, on a registration statement on Form S-8. These shares, once vested and issued upon exercise, will be able to be freely sold in the public market, subject to volume limits applicable to affiliates and the lock-up agreements described above, to the extent applicable. Furthermore, as of June 30, 2017, there were 242,779 shares subject to outstanding warrants. These shares will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent such warrants are exercised and to the extent permitted by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

         Our ability to use net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and certain built-in losses to reduce future tax payments may be limited by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, and may be subject to further limitation as a result of this offering.

        Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, contain rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an ownership change, which is generally any change in ownership of more than 50% of its stock over a three-year period, to utilize its net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and certain built-in losses recognized in years after the ownership change. These rules generally operate by focusing on ownership changes involving stockholders owning, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the stock of a company and any change in ownership arising from a new issuance of stock by the company. Generally, if an ownership change occurs, the yearly taxable income limitation on the use of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and certain built-in losses is equal to the product of the applicable long-term tax exempt rate and the value of the company's stock immediately before the ownership change. We may be unable to offset future taxable income, if any, with losses, or our tax liability with credits, before such losses and credits expire and therefore would incur larger federal income tax liability.

        In addition, it is possible that the transactions relating to this offering, either on a standalone basis or when combined with future transactions, have caused or will cause us to undergo one or more additional ownership changes. In that event, we generally would not be able to use our pre-change loss or credit carryovers or certain built-in losses prior to such ownership change to offset future taxable income in excess of the annual limitations imposed by Sections 382 and 383. We have not completed a study to assess whether an ownership change has occurred, or whether there have been multiple ownership changes since our inception.

S-10


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that the net proceeds from our issuance and sale of 5,333,334 shares of common stock in this offering will be approximately $18.3 million, or approximately $21.1 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, based on the public offering price of $3.75 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

        We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to pursue regulatory approval for Twirla, to fund activities related to commercial scale-up of our third party manufacturing operations and other activities related to the commercial launch of Twirla, if approved, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds for research and development activities related to our other product candidates and 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 acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Pending these uses, we plan to invest these net proceeds in investment-grade, interest bearing securities.

        These expected uses represent 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 and results from clinical trials, and any unforeseen cash needs. As a result, 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 from 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.

        We anticipate that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second quarter of 2018. We believe that our available funds following this offering will allow us to complete activities related to commercial scale-up of our third party manufacturing operations and other activities related to the commercial launch of Twirla, if approved. However, depending on the length of time the FDA takes to review our submission, these funds may not be sufficient to enable us to complete our regulatory approval process for Twirla and, in that case, we do not expect that these funds will be sufficient to enable us to commercially launch Twirla. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. We have no external sources of funds other than our loan and security agreement with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. We expect that we will need to obtain additional funding in order to continue to operate our business beyond the commercial launch of Twirla, if approved, including continued commercialization activities for Twirla.

S-11


Table of Contents

CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of June 30, 2017:

        You should read this table together with our financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the sections entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, each as incorporated by reference herein.

 
  As of June 30, 2017,  
 
  Actual   As
Adjusted(1)
 
 
  (in thousands, except
share and per share
data)

 
 
  (unaudited)
 

Stockholders' equity:

             

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, actual or as adjusted

         

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 28,806,398 shares issued and outstanding, actual or 34,139,732 shares issued and outstanding as adjusted

    3     3  

Additional paid-in capital

    237,567     255,867  

Accumulated deficit

    (208,429 )   (208,429 )

Total stockholders' equity

    29,141     47,441  

Total capitalization

  $ 29,141   $ 47,441  

(1)
The as adjusted balance sheet data reflects the sale of 5,333,334 shares of common stock offered by us in this offering at the public offering price of $3.75 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

        The foregoing table and calculations are based on 28,806,398 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2017, and exclude:

S-12


Table of Contents

DILUTION

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

        As of June 30, 2017, our net tangible book value was $29.1 million, or $1.01 per share of common stock. After giving effect to our issuance and sale of 5,333,334 shares of common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $3.75 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, the as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2017 would have been $47.4 million, or $1.39 per share. This represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value to existing stockholders of $0.38 per share and an immediate dilution to new investors purchasing common stock in this offering of $2.36 per share.

        The following table illustrates this per share dilution to the new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering:

Public offering price per share

        $ 3.75  

Net tangible book value per share at June 30, 2017

  $ 1.01        

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors purchasing shares in this offering

    0.38        

As adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

          1.39  

Dilution per share to new investors in this offering

        $ 2.36  

        If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, at the public offering price of $3.75 per share, the as adjusted net tangible book value will increase to $1.44 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value to existing stockholders of $0.43 per share and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $2.31 per share to new investors.

        The foregoing table and calculations are based on 28,806,398 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2017, and exclude:

S-13


Table of Contents

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

        The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock by "Non-U.S. Holders" (as defined below). This discussion is a summary for general information purposes only and does not consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular Non-U.S. Holders in light of their individual circumstances or to certain types of Non-U.S. Holders subject to special tax rules under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, including partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, banks, financial institutions or other financial services entities, broker-dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, persons who use or are required to use mark-to-market accounting, persons that hold our shares as part of a "straddle," a "hedge" or a "conversion transaction," persons for whom our stock constitutes "qualified small business stock" within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code, certain former citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., or investors in pass-through entities. In addition, this summary does not address the effects of any applicable gift or estate tax, and this summary does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax, Medicare contribution tax or any tax considerations that may apply to Non-U.S. Holders of our common stock under state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or any other U.S. federal tax laws. This discussion also does not take into account or address changes to U.S. tax law that may result from tax reforms that may be enacted in 2017 or thereafter.

        This summary is based on the Code, and applicable Treasury Regulations, rulings, administrative pronouncements and decisions as of the date of this registration statement, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations at any time with possible retroactive effect. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, with respect to the tax consequences discussed herein, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a position contrary to the tax consequences discussed below or that any position taken by the IRS would not be sustained. This discussion assumes that a Non-U.S. Holder will hold our common stock as a "capital asset" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

        The following discussion is for general information only and is not tax advice for any Non-U.S. Holder under its particular circumstances. Persons considering the purchase of our common stock pursuant to this offering should consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income, estate and gift tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of our common stock in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, including any state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences and the possible application of tax treaties that might change the general provisions discussed below.

        For purposes of this discussion, the term "Non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of our shares that is not a partnership (or entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or an entity that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not:

S-14


Table of Contents

        If a partnership (or entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or an entity that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (regardless of its place of organization or formation) is a beneficial owner of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership or the owner of the disregarded entity will generally depend upon the status of the partner or the owner of the disregarded entity and the activities of the partnership or the disregarded entity. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our common stock or the owner of a disregarded entity holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common stock.

        PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND ANY OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS.

Distributions on Our Common Stock

        In general, distributions, if any, paid to a Non-U.S. Holder (to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) will constitute dividends and be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate equal to 30% of the gross amount of the dividend, or a lower rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the dividends are effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by the Non-U.S. Holder within the U.S. Any distribution not constituting a dividend (because such distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits) will be treated first as reducing the Non-U.S. Holder's basis in its shares of common stock, but not below zero, and to the extent it exceeds the Non-U.S. Holder's basis, as capital gain and will be treated as described below under "Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Stock".

        A Non-U.S. Holder who claims the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty generally will be required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements prior to the distribution date. Non-U.S. Holders must generally provide the withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate form claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under an applicable income tax treaty. This certification must be updated periodically. If a Non-U.S. Holder holds our common stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the Non-U.S. Holder's behalf, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, who then will be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. If tax is withheld in an amount in excess of the amount applicable under an income tax treaty, a refund of the excess amount may generally be obtained by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty.

        Dividends that are effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base of the Non-U.S. Holder) generally will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder provides the withholding agent with the required forms, including IRS Form W-8ECI, but instead generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a resident of the U.S. A corporate Non-U.S. Holder that receives effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate prescribed by an applicable income tax

S-15


Table of Contents

treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items.

Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Stock

        In general, a Non-U.S. holder will not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon such holder's sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of our common stock unless:

        Net gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder described in clause (i) above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. person. Any gains of a corporate Non-U.S. Holder described in clause (i) above may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

        Gain realized by an individual Non-U.S. Holder described in clause (ii) above will be subject to a flat 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) tax, which gain may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the U.S., provided that the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

        For purposes of clause (iii) above, a corporation is a "United States real property holding corporation" if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not, and we do not anticipate that we will become, a United States real property holding corporation. However, because the determination of whether we are a United States real property holding corporation depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we will not become a United States real property holding corporation in the future. If we become a United States real property holding corporation, as long as our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, our common stock will be treated as a U.S. real property interest only with respect to a Non-U.S. Holder that actually or constructively held more than 5% of our common stock at any time during the shorter of the two periods described in clause (iii), above. If gain on the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock were subject to taxation under clause (iii) above, the Non-U.S. Holder would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in generally the same manner as a U.S. person.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

        Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of dividends paid, the name and address of the recipient, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. These

S-16


Table of Contents

information reporting requirements apply even if withholding was not required because the dividends were effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. or withholding was reduced by an applicable income tax treaty. Under applicable income tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to the tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Holder's country of residence.

        Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that is not an exempt recipient generally will be subject to backup withholding, currently at a rate of 28%, unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies to the withholding agent as to its foreign status, which certification may generally be made on IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient.

        Proceeds from the sale or other disposition of common stock by a Non-U.S. Holder effected by or through a U.S. office of a broker will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, currently at a rate of 28%, unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies to the withholding agent under penalties of perjury as to, among other things, its name, address and status as a Non-U.S. Holder or otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of disposition proceeds effected outside the U.S. by or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding if the payment is not received in the U.S. Information reporting, but generally not backup withholding (provided the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient), will apply to such a payment if the broker has certain connections with the U.S. unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner thereof is a Non-U.S. Holder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established.

        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder that results in an overpayment of taxes generally will be refunded, or credited against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

        A U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% may apply to dividends and the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common stock paid to a "foreign financial institution" (as specially defined under applicable rules) unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding certain U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners). This U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% will also apply to payments of dividends and the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common stock paid to a "non-financial foreign entity" (as specially defined under applicable rules) unless such entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying substantial direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity. The withholding tax described above will not apply if the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from the rules. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. Holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. The U.S. has entered into agreements with certain countries that modify these general rules for entities located in those countries. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these withholding provisions on their investment in our common stock.

        The withholding provisions described above currently apply to payments of dividends and will generally apply to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock on or after January 1, 2019.

S-17


Table of Contents

UNDERWRITING

        Under the terms and subject to the conditions to be set forth in an underwriting agreement, dated as of August 3, 2017, by and between us and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, acting as representatives for the underwriters named below, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters have agreed to purchase from us, the following respective number of shares of common stock:

Name
  Number of
Shares
 

William Blair & Company, L.L.C. 

    1,946,667  

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    1,946,667  

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. 

    906,667  

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

    426,667  

Noble Capital Markets, Inc. 

    106,666  

Total

    5,333,334  

        The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers' certificates and legal opinions. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the shares if any of them are purchased. 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 are offering the shares subject to their acceptance of the 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.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

        We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the underwriting agreement, to purchase up to an aggregate of 800,000 additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and as indicated below. We will be obligated to sell these shares to the underwriters to the extent the option is exercised.

Discount and Expenses

        The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common stock directly to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $0.135 per share. After this offering, the public offering price and the concession 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.

S-18


Table of Contents

        The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discount that we will pay to the underwriters and the proceeds we will receive before expenses. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.

 
  PER
SHARE
  TOTAL
WITHOUT
EXERCISE
  TOTAL
WITH
EXERCISE
 

Public offering price

  $ 3.750   $ 20,000,002   $ 23,000,002  

Underwriting discounts and commissions

  $ 0.225   $ 1,200,000   $ 1,380,000  

Proceeds to us, before expenses

  $ 3.525   $ 18,800,002   $ 21,620,002  

        We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of their expenses incurred in connection with the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. of the terms of this offering, in an amount not to exceed $35,000. Additionally, we have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses in an amount not to exceed $50,000. We estimate the total offering expenses of this offering that will be payable by us, excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $500,000, which includes legal costs and various other fees.

No Sale of Similar Securities

        We, our officers, directors and certain holders of our outstanding capital stock have agreed, subject to specified exceptions, not to directly or indirectly, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of the representatives:

        The lock-up restrictions terminate after the close of trading of the common stock on and including the 90th day after the date of this prospectus. The representatives may, in their 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. These restrictions apply to shares of our common stock purchased in this offering by certain holders for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus.

        The restrictions described above do not apply to:

S-19


Table of Contents

provided, however, that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to the first, second, third, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh clauses above, each donee, distributee recipient or transferee shall sign and deliver a lock-up agreement substantially in the form of the lock-up agreements described above; and in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth clauses above, (i) such transfer or distribution shall not involve a disposition for value and (ii) no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock, shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the restricted period.

S-20


Table of Contents

        There are no existing agreements between the underwriters and any of our stockholders who will execute a lock-up agreement, providing consent to the sale of shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up period.

NASDAQ Global Market Listing

        Our common stock is listed for trading on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "AGRX".

Short Sales, Stabilizing Transactions, and Penalty Bids

        Until the distribution of the common stock is completed, SEC rules may limit the underwriters from bidding for and purchasing our common stock.

        In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise make short sales of our common stock and may purchase shares of our common stock in the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering. The underwriters may close out any short position by purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market or exercising their option to purchase additional shares. A 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 stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. The underwriters may also engage in "stabilizing bids," which are bids for or the purchase of shares of our common stock on behalf of the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of this offering for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of our common stock.

        The underwriters' purchases to cover short sales, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own account, and stabilizing bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.

        In connection with this offering, the underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of shares of our common stock 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.

        Neither we, nor 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 stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that any transaction, if commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Affiliations

        Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may in the future provide investment banking, lending, financial advisory and other related services to us and our affiliates for which they may receive customary fees and commissions.

S-21


Table of Contents

Selling Restrictions

Canada

        The shares of our common stock may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares of our common stock must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

        Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) 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 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.

        Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area

        In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a "Relevant Member State"), no offer of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

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

        Each person in a Relevant Member State who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a "qualified investor" within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

        The Company, the representatives and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements. This prospectus has been prepared on

S-22


Table of Contents

the basis that any offer of shares in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of shares. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for the Company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither the Company nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the Company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

        For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression "an offer to the public" in relation to any 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 shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (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.

Hong Kong

        The shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares 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 in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571 Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Israel

        The securities offered by this prospectus have not been approved or disapproved by the Israeli Securities Authority, or the ISA, nor have such securities been registered for sale in Israel. The shares of common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Israel, absent the publication of a prospectus. The ISA has not issued permits, approvals or licenses in connection with the Offering or publishing the prospectus; nor has it authenticated the details included herein, confirmed their reliability or completeness, or rendered an opinion as to the quality of the securities being offered. Any resale in Israel, directly or indirectly, to the public of the securities offered by this prospectus is subject to restrictions on transferability and must be effected only in compliance with the Israeli securities laws and regulations.

Japan

        The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized

S-23


Table of Contents

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

Singapore

        This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the 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 (SFA), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), 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 shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

United Kingdom

        In addition, 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, which we refer to as the Order, 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"). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

Switzerland

        The Prospectus does not constitute an issue prospectus pursuant to Article 652a or Article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations ("CO") and the shares will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Therefore, the Prospectus may not comply with the disclosure standards of the CO or the listing rules (including any prospectus schemes) of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Accordingly, the shares may not be offered to the public in or from Switzerland, but only to a selected and limited circle of investors, which do not subscribe to the shares with a view to distribution.

S-24


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the common stock being offered in this offering will be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Princeton, New Jersey. Certain legal matters related to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP.

EXPERTS

        The financial statements of Agile Therapeutics, Inc. appearing in Agile Therapeutics, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2016 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement or the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. For further information with respect to us and the securities that we are offering under this prospectus supplement, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference herein or therein. 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 supplement, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any sale of the securities offered hereby.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 Agile Therapeutics. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

        We maintain a website at www.agiletherapeutics.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 supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The SEC file number for the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is 001-36464. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement contain important information that you should read about us.

        The following documents are incorporated by reference into this document:

S-25


Table of Contents

        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 after the date of this prospectus supplement 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: Agile Therapeutics, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Our telephone number is (609) 683-1880.

        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.

S-26


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

$150,000,000

AGILE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Rights to Purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
Debt Securities or Units
Units



        We may offer and sell from time to time our shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units, as well as units that include any of these securities. We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $150,000,000.

        This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific terms of the particular offering together with this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any securities. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "AGRX." On June 18, 2015, the closing price of our common stock was $9.25.

        Investing in our securities involves significant risks. We strongly recommend that you read carefully the risks we describe in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as the risk factors that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus from our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Risk Factors" on page 3 of this prospectus.

        We may sell the securities directly or to or through underwriters or dealers, and also to other purchasers or through agents. The names of any underwriters or agents that are included in a sale of securities to you, and any applicable commissions or discounts, will be stated in an accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition, the underwriters, if any, may over-allot a portion of the securities.

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

   

The date of this prospectus is July 1, 2015


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

AGILE THERAPEUTICS, INC

   
2
 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   
3
 

RISK FACTORS

   
3
 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS

   
4
 

USE OF PROCEEDS

   
4
 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   
4
 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

   
8
 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

   
10
 

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

   
18
 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

   
20
 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   
20
 

LEGAL MATTERS

   
22
 

EXPERTS

   
23
 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   
23
 

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

   
23
 


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (the "SEC"), using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell from time to time any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that we determine at the time of the offering, with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $150,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities under this registration statement we will provide a prospectus supplement that describes the terms of the relevant offering. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus as described below under the heading "Information Incorporated by Reference."

        The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement and the information incorporated by reference, provides additional information about us and our securities. That registration statement can be read at the SEC website (www.sec.gov) or at the SEC public reference room, as discussed below under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        You should rely only on the information provided in the registration statement, this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the cover page of these documents or the filing date of any document incorporated by reference, regardless of its time of delivery. We are not making an offer to sell the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.


Table of Contents

        We may sell our securities to or through underwriters, initial purchasers, dealers or agents, directly to purchasers or through a combination of any of these methods of sale, as designated from time to time. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept or reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of our securities. An applicable prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we offer the securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, initial purchasers, dealers or agents involved in the sale of our securities, and any related fee, commission or discount arrangements. See "Plan of Distribution."

        The terms "Agile," the "Company," "our," "us" and "we," as used in this prospectus, refer to Agile Therapeutics, Inc., unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.


AGILE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

        We are a women's health specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new prescription contraceptive products. Our product candidates are designed to provide women with contraceptive options that offer greater convenience and facilitate compliance. We have developed a proprietary transdermal patch technology, called Skinfusion®, which is designed to provide advantages over currently available patches and is intended to optimize patch adherence and stability and patient comfort. Our lead product candidate, Twirla®, also known as AG200-15, is a once-weekly prescription contraceptive patch currently in Phase 3 clinical development. Twirla is a combined hormonal contraceptive, or CHC, patch that contains the active ingredients ethinyl estradiol, or EE, which is a synthetic estrogen, and levonorgestrel, or LNG, which is a type of progestin, a synthetic steroid hormone, both of which have an established history of efficacy and safety in currently marketed combination low-dose, oral contraceptives.

        We have conducted a comprehensive clinical program, with completed Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 trials enrolling over 2,100 women, over 1,500 of whom received Twirla. We have filed a Section 505(b)(2) New Drug Application, or NDA, for approval of Twirla by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, which is required before marketing a new drug in the United States. Our 505(b)(2) NDA relies in part on clinical trials that we conducted and in part on the FDA's findings of safety and efficacy from investigations for approved products containing the active ingredients and published scientific literature for which we have not obtained a right of reference. The FDA has indicated in a Complete Response Letter, or CRL, that our NDA was not sufficient for approval as originally submitted. After multiple communications with the FDA, we have received significant guidance as to what additional clinical development and other activities need to be completed prior to approval. In accordance with the FDA's advice and comments, we are conducting an additional Phase 3 clinical trial which was initiated in 2014 and is currently enrolling subjects. Based on the guidance that we received from the FDA, we believe that this additional trial will address all of the clinical issues raised in the CRL. Following completion of this additional Phase 3 clinical trial, we will respond to the CRL and supplement our NDA with the results of the trial.

        In addition to Twirla, we are developing a pipeline of other new transdermal contraceptive products, including AG200-ER, which is a regimen designed to allow a woman to extend the length of her cycle, AG200-SP, which is a regimen designed to provide a shortened hormone-free interval, and AG890, which is a progestin-only contraceptive patch intended for use by women who are unable or unwilling to take estrogen.

        Our principal executive offices are located at 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and our telephone number is (609) 683-1880. Our website address is www.agiletherapeutics.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our common stock.

2


Table of Contents

        Our filings with the SEC are posted on our website at www.agiletherapeutics.com. The information found on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC. The public can also obtain copies of these filings by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington DC 20549, or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or by accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        From time to time, in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including this registration statement), in press releases and in other communications to stockholders or the investment community, we may provide forward-looking statements concerning possible or anticipated future results of operations or business developments. These statements are based on our management's current expectations or predictions of future conditions, events or results based on various assumptions and our management's estimates of trends and economic factors in the markets in which we are active, as well as our business plans. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "should," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding product candidate development, product candidate potential, regulatory environment, sales and marketing strategies, capital resources or operating performance. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. Forward-looking statements in this registration statement should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect our business and our market, particularly those discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and our subsequent filings, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and underlying any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements are representative only as of the date of this prospectus and except as required by law, we assume no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

        You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any issuance or sale of our common shares. Except as required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.


RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks discussed or incorporated by reference into the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in subsequent filings, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. These risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future or by a prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of our securities. These risks and uncertainties are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any prospectus supplement or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our

3


Table of Contents

business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND
REQUIREMENTS

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods indicated. You should read this table in conjunction with the financial statements and notes incorporated by reference in this registration statement.

 
  Three Months
Ended March 31,
2015
  Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  Year Ended
December 31,
2013
  Year Ended
December 31,
2012
 

Ratios of earnings to fixed charges(1)(2)

                 

Ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(1)(2)

                 

(1)
Due to our losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the coverage ratio was less than 1:1.

(2)
We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $8.5 million, $19.7 million, $14.3 million and $23.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to cover our fixed charges and our combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends in those periods.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, which include, but are not limited to, providing financing for clinical trials, capital expenditures, additions to working capital, the commercial launch of Twirla, if and when it receives regulatory approval, scaling and validating our manufacturing process for commercial launch of Twirla, development of our product candidate pipeline including Twirla line extensions, general and administrative expenses or other corporate obligations. We may use a portion of the net proceeds to pay off outstanding indebtedness, if any, and/or acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies.


DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        The following description is a general summary of the terms of the shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock that we may issue. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not include all of the terms of the shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock and should be read together with our Amended Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, copies of which have been filed previously with the SEC. For more information on how you can obtain copies of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, see "Where You Can Find More Information."

Common Stock

General

        Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides the authority to issue 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. At June 18, 2015, there were

4


Table of Contents

22,235,137 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights and is identical in all respects to each other share of our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue in the future.

Voting Rights

        The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on any matter to be voted upon by our stockholders. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, does not permit cumulative voting in connection with the election of directors.

Dividends

        The holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends, if any, as our Board of Directors may declare from time to time from funds legally available for that purpose, subject to the holders of other classes of stock, if any, at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, if any.

Liquidation Rights

        Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our affairs, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of creditors, subject to any prior liquidation distribution rights of holders of other classes of stock, if any, at the time outstanding.

Miscellaneous

        Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. The outstanding shares of our common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be offered hereby when issued will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

NASDAQ Listing

        Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "AGRX."

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc. whose address is P.O. Box 1342, Brentwood, NY 11717.

Preferred Stock

General

        Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, none of which are issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. We may issue, from time to time in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our board of directors, without further action by our stockholders, shares of preferred stock and such shares may include voting rights, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion rights, redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. The shares of each series of preferred stock shall have preferences, limitations and relative rights, including voting rights, identical with those of other shares of the same series and, except to the extent provided in the description of such series, of those of other series of preferred stock.

5


Table of Contents

        The issuance of any preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock and, therefore, reduce the value of the common stock. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock could discourage, delay or prevent a takeover or change in control.

        The description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the applicable prospectus supplement will not be complete. You should refer to the applicable certificate of designation for complete information regarding a series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will also contain a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the preferred stock, if material.

        The terms of any particular series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series of preferred stock, including, where applicable:

        If we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

Voting Rights

        The General Corporation Law of Delaware provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of

6


Table of Contents

holders of that preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

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

Other

        Our issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

Delaware Law and Certain Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws Provisions

        Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws to be in effect upon completion of this offering contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our board of directors that our stockholders might consider favorable. Some of these provisions:

        In addition, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which may prohibit certain business combinations with stockholders owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. These and other provisions in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirors to obtain control of our board of directors or initiate actions that are opposed by our then-current board of directors, including a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving our company. This provision could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, whether or not it is desired by or beneficial to our stockholders. Any delay or prevention of a change of control transaction or changes in our board of directors could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

        Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions permitted under the General Corporation Law of Delaware relating to the liability of directors. The provisions eliminate, to the extent legally permissible, a director's liability for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty,

7


Table of Contents

except in circumstances involving wrongful acts, such as the breach of a director's duty of loyalty or acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law. The limitation of liability described above does not alter the liability of our directors and officers under federal securities laws. Furthermore, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. These provisions do not limit or eliminate our right or the right of any stockholder of ours to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach by a director or an officer of his duty of care to us. We believe that these provisions assist us in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as directors.


DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock or debt securities. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the warrants and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

        A copy of the forms of the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to any particular issue of warrants will be filed with the SEC each time we issue warrants, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the warrant agreement and the related warrant certificate, see "Where You Can Find More Information."

Stock Warrants

        The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue shares of our common stock or shares of our preferred stock will describe the terms of the common share warrants and preferred share warrants, including the following:

8


Table of Contents

Debt Warrants

        The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue debt securities will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:

9


Table of Contents

Exercise of Warrants

        Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the number of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or the principal amount of debt securities being offered. Holders may exercise warrants at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants are void. Holders may exercise warrants as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants being offered.

        Until a holder exercises the warrants to purchase our shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or debt securities, the holder will not have any rights as a holder of our shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or debt securities, as the case may be, by virtue of ownership of warrants.


DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The following is a general description of the terms of debt securities we may issue from time to time unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Particular terms of any debt securities we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.

        As required by Federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, any debt securities we issue will be governed by a document called an "indenture," the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We have summarized the general features of the debt securities to be governed by the indenture. The summary is not complete. An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on behalf of the holders of the debt securities, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce holders' rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on holders' behalf, described in the second paragraph under "Description of Debt Securities—Events of Default." Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties, such as sending interest and principal payments to holders.

        Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of any debt securities we may issue or the indenture governing any such debt securities. Particular terms of any debt securities we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, and we urge you to read the applicable executed indenture, which will be filed with the SEC at the time of any offering of debt securities, because it, and not this description, will define the rights of holders of such debt securities.

        A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of debt securities we may issue, including some or all of the following:

10


Table of Contents

        The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal, interest and premium, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.

General

        The indenture may provide that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities ("offered debt securities") and any debt securities issuable upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities ("underlying debt securities") may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.

        For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.

        Debt securities issued under an indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the "indenture securities." The indenture may also provide that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of securities issued thereunder. See "Description of Debt Securities—Resignation of Trustee" below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under an indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term "indenture securities" means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under an indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under

11


Table of Contents

an indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

        We refer you to the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities we may issue from time to time for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection, that will be applicable with respect to such debt securities.

        We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

Conversion and Exchange

        If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the related prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.

Payment and Paying Agents

        We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee's records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, often approximately two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the "record date." Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called "accrued interest."

Events of Default

        Holders of debt securities of any series will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of such series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection. The term "Event of Default" in respect of the debt securities of any series means any of the following:

12


Table of Contents

        An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

        If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series if the default is cured or waived and certain other conditions are satisfied.

        Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee typically is not required to take any action under an indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an "indemnity"). If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances.

        Before a holder is allowed to bypass the trustee and bring its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce its rights or protect its interests relating to any debt securities, the following must occur:

        However, a holder is entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on its debt securities on or after the due date. Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

13


Table of Contents

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities may waive a default for all such series of debt securities. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it had not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on a holder's debt security, however, without the holder's approval.

Merger or Consolidation

        Under the terms of an indenture, we may be permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We may also be permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, typically we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

Modification or Waiver

        There are three types of changes we may make to an indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.

        First, there are changes that we cannot make to debt securities without specific approval of all of the holders. The following is a list of the types of changes that may require specific approval:

14


Table of Contents

        The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect, including the addition of covenants and guarantees. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.

        Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities may require the following approval:

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series of debt securities issued under an indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance obligations with respect to some of our covenants in that indenture. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under "Description of Debt Securities—Modification or Waiver—Changes Requiring Approval."

        When taking a vote on proposed changes to the indenture and the debt securities, we expect to use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:

        Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under "Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance—Legal Defeasance."

        We generally will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the

15


Table of Contents

indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within 11 months following the record date.

        Book-entry and other indirect holders will need to consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.

Defeasance

        The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and legal defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

        We can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called "covenant defeasance." In that event, the holders would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay holders' debt securities. If applicable, a holder also would be released from the subordination provisions described under "Description of Debt Securities—Indenture Provisions—Subordination" below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

        If we accomplish covenant defeasance, holders can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, holders may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

        As described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called "legal defeasance"), (1) if there is a change in U.S. Federal tax law that allows us to effect the release without causing the holders to be taxed any differently than if the release had not occurred, and (2) if we put in place the following other arrangements for holders to be repaid:

16


Table of Contents

        If we ever did accomplish legal defeasance, as described above, holders would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. Holders could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, holders would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under "Description of Debt Securities—Indenture Provisions—Subordination."

Resignation of Trustee

        Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to such series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

Indenture Provisions—Subordination

        Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (defined below), but our obligation to holders to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), interest or sinking fund, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), interest and sinking fund, if any, on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money's worth.

        In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment from us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.

17


Table of Contents

        By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities. The related indenture will provide that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.

        "Senior Indebtedness" will be defined in an applicable indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:

        The prospectus supplement accompanying any series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities will set forth the approximate amount of our Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

Trustee

        We intend to name the indenture trustee for each series of indenture securities in the related prospectus supplement.

Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies

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


DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

        The following is a general description of the terms of the rights we may issue from time to time unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Particular terms of any rights we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such rights.

General

        We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units. Rights may be issued independently or together with other securities and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. In connection with a rights offering to our stockholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on or about the record date that we set for receiving rights in such rights offering.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any rights we may issue, including some or all of the following:

18


Table of Contents

Exercise of Rights

        Each right will entitle the holder to purchase for cash or other consideration such shares of stock or principal amount of securities at the subscription price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. Rights may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement beginning on the date specified therein and continuing until the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised rights will become void.

        Upon receipt of payment and a subscription certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If

19


Table of Contents

less than all of the rights represented by such subscription certificate are exercised, a new subscription certificate will be issued for the remaining rights. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the rights may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for rights.

        We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to stockholders, persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Prior to exercising their rights, holders of rights will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon subscription, including, in the case of rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights or, in the case of rights to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture.


DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

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

        Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit also is the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. Units will be issued pursuant to the terms of a unit agreement, which may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date. A copy of the forms of the unit agreement and the unit certificate relating to any particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the unit agreement and the related unit certificate, see "Where You Can Find More Information."

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


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

20


Table of Contents

        The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering and the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters, initial purchasers, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:

        If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account for resale to the public, either on a firm commitment basis or a best efforts basis. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer the securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities hereunder, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for sale is reached. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. We may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or pay to dealers.

        During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

21


Table of Contents

        Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.

        If dealers are used for the sale of securities, we, or an underwriter, will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the applicable prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

        We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

        We may sell the securities directly in transactions not involving underwriters, dealers or agents.

        We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

        Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the applicable securities laws and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the applicable securities laws. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the applicable securities laws.

        Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

        We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of such relationship in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

        We may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with us, including, without limitation, in connection with distributions of the securities by those broker-dealers. We may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the securities offered hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer those securities. We may also loan or pledge the securities offered hereby to a broker-dealer and the broker-dealer may sell the securities offered hereby so loaned or upon a default may sell or otherwise transfer the pledged securities offered hereby.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Princeton, New Jersey.

22


Table of Contents


EXPERTS

        Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus 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.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these materials may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of its public reference room. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding us. The address of the SEC website is http://www.sec.gov. We maintain a website at www.agiletherapeutics.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.


INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information contained in documents that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede prior information. Any information so updated and superseded shall not be deemed, except as so updated and superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the termination of the offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information that is not deemed "filed" with the SEC, including information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus:

        We make available, free of charge, through 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 filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably

23


Table of Contents

practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. You may also obtain, free of charge, a copy of any of these documents (other than exhibits to these documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents or referred to in this prospectus) by writing or calling us at the following address and telephone number:

Agile Therapeutics, Inc.
101 Poor Farm Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 683-1880

24


Table of Contents

 

5,333,334 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock



Prospectus Supplement

August 3, 2017



William Blair
RBC Capital Markets
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
Janney Montgomery Scott
Noble Capital Markets



        Until August 28, 2017, all dealers that buy, sell or trade the common stock may be required to deliver a prospectus, regardless of whether they are participating in this offering. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.