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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right; border-top: Black 4.5pt double"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; color: Red"></P>

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<P STYLE="margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">July 23, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
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    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Delaware</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(State or Other Jurisdiction<BR>
        of Incorporation)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>0-27072</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Commission</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">File Number)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>52-0845822</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(IRS Employer<BR>
        Identification No.)</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="color: #000033; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
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    <TD STYLE="width: 100%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>1617 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
        19103</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Address of Principal Executive Offices,
        including Zip Code)</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Registrant's telephone number, including
area code: <B>(215) 988-0080</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Not Applicable</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed
Since Last Report)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 1.01&nbsp; Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">On July 23, 2012, Hemispherx Biopharma,
Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with Maxim Group LLC (the &ldquo;Agreement&rdquo;)
to create an at-the-market equity program under which it may sell up to $75,000,000 worth of shares of its common stock (the &ldquo;Shares&rdquo;)
from time to time through Maxim Group LLC, as sales agent (the &ldquo;Agent&rdquo;). Under the Agreement, the Agent will be entitled
to a commission at a fixed commission rate of 4.0% of the gross sales price of Shares sold under the Agreement, up to aggregate
gross proceeds of $10,000,000, and, thereafter, at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price of Shares sold under
the Agreement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Sales of the
Shares, if any, under the Agreement may be made in transactions that are deemed to be &ldquo;at-the-market&rdquo; offerings as
defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made by means of ordinary brokers&rsquo; transactions,
including on the NYSE MKT, at market prices or as otherwise agreed with the Agent. The Company has no obligation to sell any of
the Shares, and may at any time suspend offers under the Agreement or terminate the Agreement.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The Shares will be issued pursuant to the
Company&rsquo;s previously filed and effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-182216). On June 19, 2012, the
Company filed a base Prospectus and on July 23, 2012, filed a Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. This Report shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there
be any sale of the Shares in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration of qualification
under the securities laws of any such state.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
this Report. The description of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Agreement filed herewith as an exhibit to this Report.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>(d) Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1.5in"><B>Exhibit No.</B></TD><TD><B>Description</B></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1.5in">10.1</TD><TD>Equity Distribution Agreement, dated July 23, 2012.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Signatures</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="color: #000033; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Date: July 23, 2012</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 49%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 51%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline">/s/ William A. Carter</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">William A. Carter, M.D.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt">Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


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<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA INC", "cik": "0000946644", "assigned-sic": "2836", "irs-number": "520845822", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-13441", "film-number": "12974962"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1617 JFK BLVD #660", "street2": "ONE PENN CENTER", "city": "PHILADELPHIA", "state": "PA", "zip": "19104", "phone": "2159880080"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1617 JFK BLVD", "street2": "ONE PENN CENTER", "city": "PHILADELPHIA", "state": "PA", "zip": "19103"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
July 23, 2012
HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
0-27072
(Commission
File Number)
52-0845822
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
1617 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
        19103
(Address of Principal Executive Offices,
        including Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including
area code:
(215) 988-0080
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed
Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On July 23, 2012, Hemispherx Biopharma,
Inc. (the "Company") entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with Maxim Group LLC (the "Agreement")
to create an at-the-market equity program under which it may sell up to $75,000,000 worth of shares of its common stock (the "Shares")
from time to time through Maxim Group LLC, as sales agent (the "Agent"). Under the Agreement, the Agent will be entitled
to a commission at a fixed commission rate of 4.0% of the gross sales price of Shares sold under the Agreement, up to aggregate
gross proceeds of $10,000,000, and, thereafter, at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price of Shares sold under
the Agreement.
Sales of the
Shares, if any, under the Agreement may be made in transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market" offerings as
defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions,
including on the NYSE MKT, at market prices or as otherwise agreed with the Agent. The Company has no obligation to sell any of
the Shares, and may at any time suspend offers under the Agreement or terminate the Agreement.
The Shares will be issued pursuant to the
Company's previously filed and effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-182216). On June 19, 2012, the
Company filed a base Prospectus and on July 23, 2012, filed a Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. This Report shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there
be any sale of the Shares in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration of qualification
under the securities laws of any such state.
The Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
this Report. The description of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Agreement filed herewith as an exhibit to this Report.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Equity Distribution Agreement, dated July 23, 2012.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
Date: July 23, 2012
HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.
/s/ William A. Carter
William A. Carter, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer