S-8 1 tm2613338d1_s8.htm FORM S-8

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2026

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

NERVGEN PHARMA CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

British Columbia

98-1738183

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

112-970 Burrard Street, Unit 1290

Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2R4

Telephone: (778) 731-1711

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

NervGen Pharma Corp. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

Cogency Global Inc.

122 E. 42nd Street, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10168

(800) 221-0102

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

Copies to:

Siavosh Salimi

Ryan S. Brewer

Paul Hastings LLP

The MetLife Building

200 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10166

(212) 318-6000

Keith Vendola

Chief Financial Officer

NervGen Pharma Corp.

112-970 Burrard Street, Unit 1290

Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2R4
Canada (778) 731-1711

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

Large accelerated filer	¨	Accelerated filer	¨

Non-accelerated filer	x	Smaller reporting company	x

		Emerging growth company	x

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

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1. Plan Information.

The information required by Item 1 is included in documents sent or given to participants in the plans covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.

The written statement required by Item 2 is included in documents sent or given to participants in the plans covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

NervGen Pharma Corp. (the “Registrant”) is subject to the informational and reporting requirements of Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and, in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this registration statement the following documents that have been previously filed (not furnished) with the Commission:

(a)

The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Commission on March 31, 2026;

(b)

The Registrant’s Report on Form 6-K with the management information circular for the annual general meeting of shareholders held on April 23, 2026, furnished to the SEC on April 27, 2026, excluding Exhibit 99.1 thereto; and

(c)

The description of the registrant’s common shares contained in the Registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-43048), filed with the Commission on January 7, 2026, together with any amendment thereto filed for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, all other documents filed (not furnished) by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a), Section 13(c), Section 14 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this registration statement that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated in this registration statement by reference and to be a part of this registration statement from the date of filing of such documents; provided, however, that documents or information deemed to have been furnished to and not filed with the Commission in accordance with the rules of the Commission shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document that also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Registrant is subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BCBCA”).

Under the BCBCA, the Registrant may indemnify all eligible parties against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Registrant must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding.

For the purposes of such an indemnification:

“eligible party,” in relation to the Registrant, means an individual who

	·	is or was a director or officer of the Registrant;
	·	is or was a director or officer of another corporation

	o	at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Registrant, or
	o	at the request of the Registrant; or

at the request of the Registrant, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity

and includes the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual;

“eligible penalty” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding;

“eligible proceeding” means a proceeding in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, the Registrant or an associated corporation:

	·	is or may be joined as a party, or
	·	is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding;

“expenses” includes costs, charges and expenses, including legal and other fees, but does not include judgments, penalties, fines or amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding; and

“proceeding” includes any legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed.

However, indemnification by the Registrant is prohibited under the BCBCA if:

	·	in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant or the associated corporation, as the case may be;
	·	in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party’s conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful;
	·	the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, the Registrant was prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by its articles; or
	·	the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, the Registrant is prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by the Registrant’s articles.

In addition, if an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of the Registrant or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, the Registrant must not do either of the following:

	·	indemnify the eligible party in respect of the proceeding; or
	·	pay the expenses of the eligible party in respect of the proceeding.

The BCBCA allows the Registrant to pay, as they are incurred in advance of a final disposition of a proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the eligible party, provided that the Registrant receives from such eligible party an undertaking to repay the amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that such payment is prohibited. Following the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the BCBCA requires the Registrant to pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party has not been reimbursed for those expenses and is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding, or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, and whether or not payment of expenses or indemnification has been sought, authorized or declined under the BCBCA, on the application of the Registrant or an eligible party, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may do one or more of the following:

	·	order the Registrant to indemnify an eligible party against any liability incurred by the eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;
	·	order the Registrant to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;
	·	order the enforcement of, or any payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by the Registrant;
	·	order the Registrant to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining an order under this section; or
	·	make any other order the court considers appropriate.

The BCBCA provides that the Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party (or their heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party) against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer, or in an equivalent position of the Registrant or that of an associated corporation.

Under the articles of the Registrant, subject to the provisions of the BCBCA, the Registrant must indemnify a current or former director, alternate director or officer of the Registrant and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Registrant must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each current or former director, alternate director and officer is deemed to have contracted with the Registrant on the terms of the indemnity contained in the Registrant’s articles.

Under the articles of the Registrant, subject to provisions of the BCBCA, the Registrant may agree to indemnify and may indemnify any person. The Registrant has entered into indemnity agreements with all of the Registrant’s directors and officers.

Pursuant to the articles of the Registrant, the failure of a director, alternate director or officer of the Registrant to comply with the BCBCA or the Registrant’s articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under the Registrant’s articles.

As permitted by the BCBCA, the Registrant has purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that, under certain circumstances, insures its directors and officers against the costs of defense, settlement, or payment of a judgment.

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

Reference is made to Item 9 for the undertakings of the Registrant with respect to indemnification of liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description

4.1		Specimen Common Shares Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-292927) filed with the Commission on January 23, 2026)
5.1*		Opinion of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
23.1*		Consent of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.2*		Consent of KPMG LLP
24.1*		Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)
99.1		NervGen Pharma Corp. 2026 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on April 27, 2026)
107*		Filing Fee Table
		* Filed herewith

Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

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

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

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

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

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

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Canada, on May 7, 2026.

	NERVGEN PHARMA CORP.

	By:	/s/ Adam H. Rogers
		Adam H. Rogers
		Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Adam H. Rogers and Keith Vendola, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as they, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or any of them, or their, his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Adam H. Rogers Adam H. Rogers	Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer)	May 7, 2026

/s/ Keith Vendola Keith Vendola	Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	May 7, 2026

/s/ J. Craig Thompson J. Craig Thompson	Director	May 7, 2026

/s/ Neil A. Klompas Neil A. Klompas	Director	May 7, 2026

/s/ Krista L. McKerracher Krista L. McKerracher	Director	May 7, 2026

/s/ Harold M. Punnett Harold M. Punnett	Director	May 7, 2026

/s/ Randall E. Kaye Randall E. Kaye	Director	May 7, 2026
/s/ Brian E. Bayley Brian E. Bayley	Director	May 7, 2026
/s/ Gianni Ruffolo Gianni Ruffolo	Director	May 7, 2026

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned certifies that it is the duly authorized United States representative of the Registrant and has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be signed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on May 7, 2026.

	COGENCY GLOBAL INC.

	By:	/s/ Colleen A. De Vries
	Name:	Colleen A. De Vries
	Title:	Senior Vice President

SEC Form S-8 filed by NervGen Pharma Corp.