<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form S-8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;6, 2014 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>UNDER </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </I></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Vital Therapies, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>56-2358443</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>incorporation or organization)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>Identification No.)</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>15010 Avenue of Science, Suite 200 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>San Diego, CA 92128 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Vital Therapies, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Full title of the plan) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Terence E. Winters, Ph.D. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Co-Chairman of the Board&nbsp;&amp; </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Chief Executive Officer </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Vital Therapies, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>15010 Avenue of Science, Suite 200 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>San Diego, CA 92128 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(858) 673-6840 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name,
address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I></I><B><I>Copies to:</I></B><I> </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Martin J. Waters, Esq. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Anthony G. Mauriello, Esq. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, PC </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>12235 El Camino Real, Suite 200 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>San Diego, California 92130-3002 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(858) 350-2300 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting
company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one). </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="16%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="60%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Non-accelerated filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Title of Securities</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>to be Registered</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Amount<BR>to be</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registered&nbsp;<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proposed<BR>Maximum<BR>Offering&nbsp;Price</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Per Share</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proposed<BR>Maximum<BR>Aggregate</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Offering Price</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"><B>Amount of<BR>Registration&nbsp;Fee</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, reserved for issuance pursuant to the Vital Therapies,
Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;612,277<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&nbsp;(2)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$13.81&nbsp;<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(4)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$&nbsp;&nbsp;8,455,545.37</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$1,089.08</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, issuable upon conversion of options outstanding under
the Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3,119,875<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&nbsp;(3)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$12.56<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">&nbsp;(5)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$39,185,630.00</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$5,047.11</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">TOTAL:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">3,732,152</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$47,641,175.37</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$6,136.19</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock that become issuable under the Vital Therapies,
Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (&#147;<B>2014 Plan</B>&#148;) or the Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan (&#147;<B>2012 Plan</B>&#148;) by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected
without receipt of consideration that increases the number of the Registrant&#146;s outstanding shares of common stock. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(2)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan consist of 113,805 shares of common stock previously reserved but unissued under the 2012 Plan that are now available for issuance under the 2014 Plan. To
the extent outstanding awards under the 2012 Plan are forfeited or lapse unexercised and would otherwise have been returned to the share reserve under the 2012 Plan, the shares of common stock subject to such awards instead will be available for
future issuance under the 2014 Plan. See footnote 3 below. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(3)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Any such shares of common stock that are subject to awards under the 2012 Plan which are forfeited or lapse unexercised and would otherwise have been returned to the share reserve under the 2012 Plan will be available
for issuance under the 2014 Plan. See footnote 2 above. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(4)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Computation based upon 110% (see explanation in the following sentence) of the average of the high and low prices of
our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on June&nbsp;2, 2014. Pursuant to the 2014 Plan, the purchase price of the shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock reserved for issuance thereunder will be (i)&nbsp;for any employee of
the Registrant who owns more than 10% of the Registrant&#146;s voting stock, at least 110% of the fair market value of the Registrant&#146;s common stock on the grant date; and (ii)&nbsp;for any other employee, at least 100% of the fair market value
of the Registrant&#146;s common stock on the grant date. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(5)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Computation based upon the average of the high and low prices of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global
Market on June&nbsp;2, 2014. Pursuant to the 2012 Plan, the purchase price of the shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock reserved for issuance thereunder will be the fair market value of the Registrant&#146;s common stock on the grant date.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART I </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information specified in Item&nbsp;1 and Item&nbsp;2 of Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 is omitted from this Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the &#147;<B>Registration Statement</B>&#148;) in accordance with the provisions of Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;<B>Securities Act</B>&#148;), and the introductory note to Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8. The
documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 will be delivered to the participants in the equity benefit plans covered by this Registration Statement as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART II </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;3.&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Vital Therapies, Inc. (the &#147;<B>Registrant</B>&#148;) hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement the following
documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;<B>Commission</B>&#148;): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The Registrant&#146;s Prospectus dated April&nbsp;17, 2014, filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, relating to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File
No.&nbsp;333-191711), which contains the Registrant&#146;s audited financial statements for the latest fiscal year for which such statements have been filed; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(2)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">All reports filed by the Registrant under Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;<B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>&#148;), since April&nbsp;17, 2014; and
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(3)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock contained in the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No.&nbsp;001-36201) filed with the Commission on November&nbsp;15, 2013, pursuant to
Section&nbsp;12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;<B>Exchange Act</B>&#148;), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 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 have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed 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 which 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. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;4.&nbsp;Description of Securities. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;5.&nbsp;Interests
of Named Experts and Counsel. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;6.&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a corporation&#146;s board of directors to grant, and authorizes a court to
award, indemnity to officers, directors and other corporate agents. </P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As permitted by Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
Registrant&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that limit the liability of its directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, the Registrant&#146;s directors
will not be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for the following: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any breach of their duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section&nbsp;174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">any transaction from which they derived an improper personal benefit. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any amendment to, or
repeal of, these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission or claim that occurred or arose prior to that amendment or repeal. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to provide
for further limitations on the personal liability of directors of corporations, then the personal liability of the Registrant&#146;s directors will be further limited to the greatest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, the Registrant&#146;s amended and restated bylaws provide that the Registrant will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of the Registrant&#146;s directors or officers or is or was serving at the
Registrant&#146;s request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The Registrant&#146;s amended and restated bylaws provide that the Registrant may indemnify to the fullest extent
permitted by law any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of the Registrant&#146;s employees or agents or is or was serving at the
Registrant&#146;s request as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The Registrant&#146;s amended and restated bylaws also provide that the Registrant must advance expenses incurred by or
on behalf of a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, subject to limited exceptions. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Further, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers that may be broader than
the specific indemnification provisions contained in the Delaware General Corporation Law. These indemnification agreements require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify its directors and executive officers against liabilities that may
arise by reason of their status or service. These indemnification agreements also require the Registrant to advance all expenses incurred by the directors and executive officers in investigating or defending any such action, suit or proceeding. The
Registrant believes that these agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and executive officers. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that are included in the Registrant&#146;s amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and the indemnification agreements that the Registrant has entered into with its directors and executive officers may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against the Registrant&#146;s directors
and executive officers for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against the Registrant&#146;s directors and executive officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit the
Registrant and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder&#146;s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that the Registrant pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and executive officers as required by these
indemnification provisions. At present, the Registrant is not aware of any pending litigation or proceeding involving any person who is or was one of the Registrant&#146;s directors, officers, employees or other agents or is or was serving at the
Registrant&#146;s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, for which indemnification is sought, and the Registrant is not aware of any threatened litigation that
may result in claims for indemnification. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant has obtained insurance policies under which, subject to the limitations of the
policies, coverage is provided to the Registrant&#146;s directors and executive officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of fiduciary duty or other wrongful acts as a director or executive officer, including claims relating
to public securities matters, and to the Registrant with respect to payments that may be made by the Registrant to these directors and executive officers pursuant to the Registrant&#146;s indemnification obligations or otherwise as a matter of law.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;7.&nbsp;Exemption from Registration Claimed. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;8.&nbsp;Exhibits. </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:28.45pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit<BR>Number</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:39.50pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Description</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Vital Therapies, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and related form agreements.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan and related form agreements.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">&nbsp;5.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, P.C.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">23.1&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">23.2&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of Hein Associates LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">23.3&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, P.C. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">24.1&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Amendment No.&nbsp;2 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No.&nbsp;333-191711), filed with the Commission on November&nbsp;6, 2013. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed with Amendment No.&nbsp;4 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No.&nbsp;333-191711), filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;11, 2014 </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-191711), filed with the
Commission on October&nbsp;11, 2013. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings. </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">A.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that: </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">It will file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(i)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(ii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">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 a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement; and </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(iii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">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.
</TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and (A)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included
in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(2)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(3)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">It will 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. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">B.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or
Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">C.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left" STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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,
</P></TD></TR></TABLE>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
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. </TD></TR></TABLE>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe 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 San Diego, State of California, on June&nbsp;6, 2014. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><B>VITAL THERAPIES, INC.</B></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><I>Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</I></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Terence E. Winters and
Michael V. Swanson, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Vital Therapies, Inc., and any or all
amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby and about the premises hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, proxy and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form S-8 has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="43%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="40%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Signature</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Title</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">
<P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:56.00pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Date&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Co-Chairman&nbsp;and&nbsp;Chief&nbsp;Executive&nbsp;Officer</FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(Principal Executive Officer)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6,&nbsp;2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Michael V. Swanson</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Michael V. Swanson</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Chief Financial Officer <BR>(Principal Financial Officer</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">and Principal Accounting Officer)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Muneer A. Satter</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Muneer A. Satter</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Co-Chairman and Lead Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Jean-Jacques Bienaim&eacute;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Jean-Jacques Bienaim&eacute;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Philip M. Croxford</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Philip M. Croxford</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Douglas E. Godshall</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Douglas E. Godshall</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Errol R. Halperin</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Errol R. Halperin</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ J. Michael Millis, M.D.</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">J. Michael Millis, M.D.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Lowell E. Sears</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Lowell E. Sears</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">/s/ Randolph C. Steer, M.D., Ph.D.</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Randolph C. Steer, M.D., Ph.D.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;6, 2014</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:28.45pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit<BR>Number</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:39.50pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Description</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Form of common stock certificate of the Registrant.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Vital Therapies, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and related form agreements.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan and related form agreements.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">&nbsp;5.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, Professional Corporation</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">23.1&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">23.2&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of Hein Associates LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">23.3&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, Professional Corporation (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">24.1&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Amendment No.&nbsp;2 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No.&nbsp;333-191711), filed with the Commission on November&nbsp;6, 2013. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed with Amendment No.&nbsp;4 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No.&nbsp;333-191711), filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;11, 2014. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top"></SUP>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-191711), filed with the
Commission on October&nbsp;11, 2013. </TD></TR></TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d738941ds8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 65356}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "VITAL THERAPIES INC", "cik": "0001280776", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "000000000", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-196571", "film-number": "14896869"}, "business-address": {"street1": "15222 AVENUE OF SCIENCE, SUITE B", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92128", "phone": "858-673-6840"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "15222 AVENUE OF SCIENCE, SUITE B", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92128"}}
Form S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2014
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Vital Therapies, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
56-2358443
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
15010 Avenue of Science, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92128
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Vital Therapies, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan
Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.
Co-Chairman of the Board &
Chief Executive Officer
Vital Therapies, Inc.
15010 Avenue of Science, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 673-6840
(Name,
address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Martin J. Waters, Esq.
Anthony G. Mauriello, Esq.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC
12235 El Camino Real, Suite 200
San Diego, California 92130-3002
(858) 350-2300
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting
company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one).
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities
to be Registered
Amount
to be
Registered
(1)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, reserved for issuance pursuant to the Vital Therapies,
Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan
612,277
(2)
$13.81
(4)
$  8,455,545.37
$1,089.08
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, issuable upon conversion of options outstanding under
the Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan
3,119,875
(3)
$12.56
(5)
$39,185,630.00
$5,047.11
TOTAL:
3,732,152
$47,641,175.37
$6,136.19
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Registrant's common stock that become issuable under the Vital Therapies,
Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan ("
2014 Plan
") or the Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan ("
2012 Plan
") by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected
without receipt of consideration that increases the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of common stock.
(2)
Shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan consist of 113,805 shares of common stock previously reserved but unissued under the 2012 Plan that are now available for issuance under the 2014 Plan. To
the extent outstanding awards under the 2012 Plan are forfeited or lapse unexercised and would otherwise have been returned to the share reserve under the 2012 Plan, the shares of common stock subject to such awards instead will be available for
future issuance under the 2014 Plan. See footnote 3 below.
(3)
Any such shares of common stock that are subject to awards under the 2012 Plan which are forfeited or lapse unexercised and would otherwise have been returned to the share reserve under the 2012 Plan will be available
for issuance under the 2014 Plan. See footnote 2 above.
(4)
Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Computation based upon 110% (see explanation in the following sentence) of the average of the high and low prices of
our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on June 2, 2014. Pursuant to the 2014 Plan, the purchase price of the shares of the Registrant's common stock reserved for issuance thereunder will be (i) for any employee of
the Registrant who owns more than 10% of the Registrant's voting stock, at least 110% of the fair market value of the Registrant's common stock on the grant date; and (ii) for any other employee, at least 100% of the fair market value
of the Registrant's common stock on the grant date.
(5)
Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Computation based upon the average of the high and low prices of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global
Market on June 2, 2014. Pursuant to the 2012 Plan, the purchase price of the shares of the Registrant's common stock reserved for issuance thereunder will be the fair market value of the Registrant's common stock on the grant date.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
The information specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of Form S-8 is omitted from this Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "
Registration Statement
") in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "
Securities Act
"), and the introductory note to Part I of Form S-8. The
documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be delivered to the participants in the equity benefit plans covered by this Registration Statement as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Vital Therapies, Inc. (the "
Registrant
") hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement the following
documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "
Commission
"):
(1)
The Registrant's Prospectus dated April 17, 2014, filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, relating to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File
No. 333-191711), which contains the Registrant's audited financial statements for the latest fiscal year for which such statements have been filed;
(2)
All reports filed by the Registrant under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
"), since April 17, 2014; and
(3)
The description of the Registrant's common stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36201) filed with the Commission on November 15, 2013, pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "
Exchange Act
"), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 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 have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents;
provided
,
however
, that documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed 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 which 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.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a corporation's board of directors to grant, and authorizes a court to
award, indemnity to officers, directors and other corporate agents.
As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
Registrant's amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that limit the liability of its directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, the Registrant's directors
will not be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for the following:
•
any breach of their duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders;
•
any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
•
unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or
•
any transaction from which they derived an improper personal benefit.
Any amendment to, or
repeal of, these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission or claim that occurred or arose prior to that amendment or repeal. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to provide
for further limitations on the personal liability of directors of corporations, then the personal liability of the Registrant's directors will be further limited to the greatest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
In addition, the Registrant's amended and restated bylaws provide that the Registrant will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of the Registrant's directors or officers or is or was serving at the
Registrant's request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The Registrant's amended and restated bylaws provide that the Registrant may indemnify to the fullest extent
permitted by law any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of the Registrant's employees or agents or is or was serving at the
Registrant's request as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The Registrant's amended and restated bylaws also provide that the Registrant must advance expenses incurred by or
on behalf of a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, subject to limited exceptions.
Further, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers that may be broader than
the specific indemnification provisions contained in the Delaware General Corporation Law. These indemnification agreements require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify its directors and executive officers against liabilities that may
arise by reason of their status or service. These indemnification agreements also require the Registrant to advance all expenses incurred by the directors and executive officers in investigating or defending any such action, suit or proceeding. The
Registrant believes that these agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that are included in the Registrant's amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and the indemnification agreements that the Registrant has entered into with its directors and executive officers may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against the Registrant's directors
and executive officers for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against the Registrant's directors and executive officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit the
Registrant and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder's investment may be adversely affected to the extent that the Registrant pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and executive officers as required by these
indemnification provisions. At present, the Registrant is not aware of any pending litigation or proceeding involving any person who is or was one of the Registrant's directors, officers, employees or other agents or is or was serving at the
Registrant's request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, for which indemnification is sought, and the Registrant is not aware of any threatened litigation that
may result in claims for indemnification.
The Registrant has obtained insurance policies under which, subject to the limitations of the
policies, coverage is provided to the Registrant's directors and executive officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of fiduciary duty or other wrongful acts as a director or executive officer, including claims relating
to public securities matters, and to the Registrant with respect to payments that may be made by the Registrant to these directors and executive officers pursuant to the Registrant's indemnification obligations or otherwise as a matter of law.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
(1)
Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant.
4.2
(2)
Vital Therapies, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and related form agreements.
4.3
(3)
Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan and related form agreements.
5.1
Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2
Consent of Hein Associates LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.3
Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No. 333-191711), filed with the Commission on November 6, 2013.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed with Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No. 333-191711), filed with the Commission on March 11, 2014
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-191711), filed with the
Commission on October 11, 2013.
Item 9. Undertakings.
A.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1)
It will 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;
(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 a 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 information required to be included
in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement.
(2)
For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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)
It will 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, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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 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 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 San Diego, State of California, on June 6, 2014.
VITAL THERAPIES, INC.
By:
/s/ Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.
Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Terence E. Winters and
Michael V. Swanson, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Vital Therapies, Inc., and any or all
amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby and about the premises hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, proxy and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form S-8 has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.
Terence E. Winters, Ph.D.
Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
June 6, 2014
/s/ Michael V. Swanson
Michael V. Swanson
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer)
June 6, 2014
/s/ Muneer A. Satter
Muneer A. Satter
Co-Chairman and Lead Director
June 6, 2014
/s/ Jean-Jacques Bienaimé
Jean-Jacques Bienaimé
Director
June 6, 2014
/s/ Philip M. Croxford
Philip M. Croxford
Director
June 6, 2014
/s/ Douglas E. Godshall
Douglas E. Godshall
Director
June 6, 2014
/s/ Errol R. Halperin
Errol R. Halperin
Director
June 6, 2014
/s/ J. Michael Millis, M.D.
J. Michael Millis, M.D.
Director
June 6, 2014
/s/ Lowell E. Sears
Lowell E. Sears
Director
June 6, 2014
/s/ Randolph C. Steer, M.D., Ph.D.
Randolph C. Steer, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
June 6, 2014
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
(1)
Form of common stock certificate of the Registrant.
4.2
(2)
Vital Therapies, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and related form agreements.
4.3
(3)
Vital Therapies, Inc. 2012 Stock Option Plan and related form agreements.
5.1
Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2
Consent of Hein Associates LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.3
Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No. 333-191711), filed with the Commission on November 6, 2013.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed with Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No. 333-191711), filed with the Commission on March 11, 2014.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-191711), filed with the
Commission on October 11, 2013.