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 <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 January&nbsp;24, 2023 </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- </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<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>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:10pt; 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:10pt;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:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>MEREO BIOPHARMA GROUP PLC </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:10pt;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:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">United Kingdom</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">N/A</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>incorporation or organization)</B></P></TD>
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<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>4th Floor </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>One Cavendish Place </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>London W1G 0QF United Kingdom </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>+44 33 3023 7300 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address
including zip code of Principal Executive Offices) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Equity Incentive Plan, as amended </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 plans) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Mereo US Holdings, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>251 Little Falls Drive </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Wilmington, DE 19808 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Telephone No.: +1 302 636 5401 </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="margin-top:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Copy to : David S. Bakst </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Mayer Brown LLP </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>1221
Avenue of the Americas </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>New York, New York 10020 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>+1 212 506 2500 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;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:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Indicate by
check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-accelerated</FONT> filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of &#147;large
accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;smaller reporting company,&#148; and &#147;emerging growth company&#148; in Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">12b-2</FONT> of the Exchange Act. </P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">&#9744;</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Accelerated filer</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">&#9746;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-accelerated&nbsp;filer</FONT></P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">&#9744;</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">&#9744;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Emerging&nbsp;growth&nbsp;company</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">&#9746;</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended
transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9746; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">EXPLANATORY NOTE </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SHARES PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION E </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">This Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (this &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) is filed by Mereo
BioPharma Group plc (the &#147;Company&#148;) to register 33,183,704 additional ordinary shares, nominal value &pound;0.003 per share (the &#147;Ordinary Shares&#148;) under the Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on
February&nbsp;13, 2020 and January&nbsp;15, 2021, and the Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on February&nbsp;13, 2020 and January&nbsp;15, 2021 (collectively, the
&#147;Plans&#148;) which share a common Ordinary Share pool, consisting of (i)&nbsp;Ordinary Shares for future share grants under the Plans and (ii)&nbsp;Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance upon the vesting of restricted stock units and
performance based stock unit awards which may be granted to employees and executives pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Plans in connection with their employment and positions with the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). The number of Ordinary Shares available for issuance under the Plans is subject to increase on January&nbsp;1 of each year in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 5.31% of the Company&#146;s issued and
outstanding shares and (ii)&nbsp;such number of shares as determined by the plan administrator, in its discretion. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">On May&nbsp;21, 2019,
the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) a Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-231636),</FONT> on February&nbsp;18,
2020 the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-236498),</FONT> on January&nbsp;15, 2021 the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-252147)</FONT> and on January&nbsp;13, 2022 the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (File <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-262151)</FONT> (collectively, the &#147;Prior Registration Statements&#148;) to register a total of 68,770,569 Ordinary Shares issuable under the plans described in those registration statements. The Company
is filing this Registration Statement to register an additional 33,183,704 Ordinary Shares, which may be issued pursuant to new and previously issued awards under the Plans. Pursuant to Instruction E of Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8,</FONT> the contents of the Prior Registration Statements are hereby incorporated by reference herein, and the information required by Part II of Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> is omitted,
except as supplemented by the information set forth below. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">PART I </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">As permitted by the rules of the SEC, this Registration Statement omits the information specified in Part I of Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8.</FONT> The documents containing the information specified in Part I of this Registration Statement will be sent or given to eligible employees as specified by Rule 428(b) promulgated under the Securities Act. Such
documents are not being filed with the SEC either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">PART II </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">ITEM&nbsp;3.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">The following documents are incorporated herein by reference: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001719714/000119312522091822/d237872d20f.htm">The
 Company&#146;s annual report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT> for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2021 (the &#147;2021 Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F&#148;),</FONT> filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022 (File <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-38452);</FONT> </A> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(b)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1719714/000119312522275845/d312548d6k.htm">The
 Company&#146;s report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">6-K</FONT> furnished to the SEC on November&nbsp;2, 2022; </A> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(c)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">All reports filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Company&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT> referred to in clause (a)&nbsp;above; and </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(d)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">The description of the Company&#146;s Ordinary Shares and ADSs contained in the Company&#146;s registration
statement on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1719714/000119312518111700/d566514d8a12b.htm">Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-A,</FONT> filed with the SEC on April 9, 2018 (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;
001-38452)</FONT></A>, as amended on April&nbsp;15, 2019 and May&nbsp;
17, 2022, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description as updated by <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1719714/000119312521102416/d60415dex22.htm">Exhibit 2.2 to the 2021 Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT></A>, including the &#147;Description of Ordinary Shares&#148; and the &#147;Description of American Depositary Shares&#148; contained therein and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of further
updating such descriptions. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, including any Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">6-K</FONT> submitted during such period (or portion thereof) that is identified in such form as being incorporated by reference into this Registration
Statement, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. The Company is not incorporating by reference any document or portion thereof, whether
specifically listed above or to be filed in the future, that is not deemed &#147;filed&#148; with the SEC. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">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 other subsequently filed
document which also is incorporated or 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="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">ITEM&nbsp;4.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Not applicable. </P>
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<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">

<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">ITEM&nbsp;5.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">ITEM&nbsp;6.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">The Company&#146;s Articles of Association provide that the Company may indemnify its directors and other officers in respect of any
proceedings, whether civil or criminal, brought against them by reason of their being directors or officers of the Company and to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom (&#147;CA 2006&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Generally, under CA 2006, any provision by which the Company directly or indirectly provides an indemnity (to any extent) for a director of
the Company or of an &#147;associated company&#148; (i.e., a company that is a parent, subsidiary or sister company of the Company) against any liability attaching to him or her in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of
trust in relation to the company of which he or she is a director is (subject to certain exceptions specified under CA 2006) void. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">The
Company has entered into a deed of indemnity with each of its directors, the form of which was filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company&#146;s registration statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">F-4</FONT> (Registration <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-229351),</FONT> as originally filed by the Company on January&nbsp;25, 2019 and subsequently amended. Except as prohibited by applicable law, these deeds of indemnity may require the Company, among other
things, to indemnify its directors for certain expenses, including attorneys&#146; fees, costs and expenses incurred by such directors with the prior written consent of the Company in any action or proceeding arising out of their service as a
director of the Company, or one of its subsidiaries. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">The Company maintains directors and officers insurance coverage, which, subject to
policy terms and limitations, is expected to include coverage to reimburse the Company for amounts that it may be required or permitted by law to pay directors or officers of the Company. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the
Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">ITEM&nbsp;7.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">ITEM&nbsp;8.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">EXHIBITS. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">The exhibits listed below in the &#147;Exhibit Index&#148; are filed as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Registration
Statement. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">ITEM&nbsp;9.</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">UNDERTAKINGS. </P></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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">The undersigned Company hereby undertakes: </P></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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
Registration Statement: </P></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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(i)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </P></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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(ii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this 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 </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
</DIV></Center>


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<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective Registration Statement; </P></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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(iii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:13%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">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 reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Company pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(2)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">That, 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. </P></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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(3)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </P></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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(b)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">The undersigned Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each filing of the Company&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 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 this 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. </P></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 style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(c)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC 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 Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company 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 Company 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.
</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">EXHIBIT INDEX </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="7%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="90%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="center">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="center">Description</P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>3.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1719714/000119312519016112/d680874dex31.htm">Articles of Association of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;
6-K, furnished to the SEC on May&nbsp;17, 2022 (Film No. 22932321)). </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>4.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1719714/000119312521010098/d35302dex991.htm">Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on February&nbsp;13, 2020 and January&nbsp;
15, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> filed January&nbsp;15, 2021 (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-252147))</FONT> </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>4.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1719714/000119312521010098/d35302dex991.htm">Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on February&nbsp;
13, 2020 and January&nbsp;15, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> filed January&nbsp;15, 2021 (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-252147))</FONT>
</A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>4.3</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1719714/000119312522091822/d237872dex444.htm">Deferred Compensation Plan for <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors, dated January&nbsp;
31, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.44 to the Company&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT> filed March&nbsp;31, 2022 (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-28452))</FONT> </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>4.4*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d421215dex44.htm">Form of Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Plans </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>4.5*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d421215dex45.htm">Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Plans </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>5.1*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d421215dex51.htm">Opinion of Latham&nbsp;&amp; Watkins LLP, counsel of the Registrant </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.1*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d421215dex51.htm">Consent of Latham&nbsp;&amp; Watkins LLP, counsel of the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5.1) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.2*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d421215dex232.htm">Consent of BDO LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.3*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d421215dex233.htm">Consent of Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>24.1*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="#sig">Powers of Attorney (included in signature page hereto) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>107*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d421215dexfilingfees.htm">Filing Fee Table </A></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:11%">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">*</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="justify">Filed herewith. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><A NAME="sig"></A>SIGNATURES </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable
grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in
London, the United Kingdom on January&nbsp;24, 2023. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">MEREO BIOPHARMA GROUP PLC</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">By:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Name: Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Title: Chief Executive Officer</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Denise Scots- Knight, Ph.D. and Christine Fox, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this registration
statement and any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or
she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons on January&nbsp;24, 2023 in the capacities indicated: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Signature</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Title</TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
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<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">(Principal Executive Officer)</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Christine Fox</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Chief Financial Officer</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Christine Fox</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)</P></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Michael Wyzga</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Michael Wyzga</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Dr.&nbsp;Jeremy Bender</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Dr.&nbsp;Jeremy Bender</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Dr.&nbsp;Anders Ekblom</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Dr.&nbsp;Anders Ekblom</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Dr.&nbsp;Pierre Jacquet</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Dr.&nbsp;Pierre Jacquet</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Dr.&nbsp;Annalisa Jenkins</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Dr.&nbsp;Annalisa Jenkins</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Dr.&nbsp;Deepa Pakianathan</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Dr.&nbsp;Deepa Pakianathan</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Justin Roberts</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Justin Roberts</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Dr.&nbsp;Daniel Shames</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Dr.&nbsp;Daniel Shames</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Marc Yoskowitz</P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Member of the Board</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Marc Yoskowitz</P></TD>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE OF REGISTRANT </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United
States of America, Mereo BioPharma Group plc has signed this registration statement on January&nbsp;24, 2023. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Mereo US Holdings, Inc.</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">By:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="justify">/s/ Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Name: Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="justify" STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">Title: President</P></TD></TR>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Mereo Biopharma Group plc", "cik": "0001719714", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "000000000", "state-of-incorporation": "X0", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-269388", "film-number": "23548530"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ONE CAVENDISH PLACE", "street2": "FOURTH FLOOR", "city": "LONDON", "state": "X0", "zip": "W1G0QF", "phone": "4403330237300"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "ONE CAVENDISH PLACE", "street2": "FOURTH FLOOR", "city": "LONDON", "state": "X0", "zip": "W1G0QF"}}
S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 2023
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MEREO BIOPHARMA GROUP PLC
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
United Kingdom
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
4th Floor
One Cavendish Place
London W1G 0QF United Kingdom
+44 33 3023 7300
(Address
including zip code of Principal Executive Offices)
Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019
Non-Employee
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
(Full title of the plans)
Mereo US Holdings, Inc.
251 Little Falls Drive
Wilmington, DE 19808
Telephone No.: +1 302 636 5401
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to : David S. Bakst
Mayer Brown LLP
1221
Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
+1 212 506 2500
Indicate by
check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated
filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☐
Accelerated filer
☒
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth company
☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended
transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☒
EXPLANATORY NOTE
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SHARES PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION E
This Registration Statement on Form
S-8
(this "Registration Statement") is filed by Mereo
BioPharma Group plc (the "Company") to register 33,183,704 additional ordinary shares, nominal value £0.003 per share (the "Ordinary Shares") under the Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on
February 13, 2020 and January 15, 2021, and the Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019
Non-Employee
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on February 13, 2020 and January 15, 2021 (collectively, the
"Plans") which share a common Ordinary Share pool, consisting of (i) Ordinary Shares for future share grants under the Plans and (ii) Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance upon the vesting of restricted stock units and
performance based stock unit awards which may be granted to employees and executives pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Plans in connection with their employment and positions with the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"). The number of Ordinary Shares available for issuance under the Plans is subject to increase on January 1 of each year in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 5.31% of the Company's issued and
outstanding shares and (ii) such number of shares as determined by the plan administrator, in its discretion.
On May 21, 2019,
the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a Registration Statement on Form
S-8
(File
No. 333-231636),
on February 18,
2020 the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form
S-8
(File
No. 333-236498),
on January 15, 2021 the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form
S-8
(File
No. 333-252147)
and on January 13, 2022 the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form
S-8
(File
No. 333-262151)
(collectively, the "Prior Registration Statements") to register a total of 68,770,569 Ordinary Shares issuable under the plans described in those registration statements. The Company
is filing this Registration Statement to register an additional 33,183,704 Ordinary Shares, which may be issued pursuant to new and previously issued awards under the Plans. Pursuant to Instruction E of Form
S-8,
the contents of the Prior Registration Statements are hereby incorporated by reference herein, and the information required by Part II of Form
S-8
is omitted,
except as supplemented by the information set forth below.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
As permitted by the rules of the SEC, this Registration Statement omits the information specified in Part I of Form
S-8.
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of this Registration Statement will be sent or given to eligible employees as specified by Rule 428(b) promulgated under the Securities Act. Such
documents are not being filed with the SEC either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The following documents are incorporated herein by reference:
(a)
The
 Company's annual report on Form
20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the "2021 Form
20-F"),
filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022 (File
No. 001-38452);
(b)
The
 Company's report on Form
6-K
furnished to the SEC on November 2, 2022;
(c)
All reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act") since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Company's Form
20-F
referred to in clause (a) above; and
(d)
The description of the Company's Ordinary Shares and ADSs contained in the Company's registration
statement on
Form
8-A,
filed with the SEC on April 9, 2018 (File
No. 
001-38452)
, as amended on April 15, 2019 and May 
17, 2022, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description as updated by
Exhibit 2.2 to the 2021 Form
20-F
, including the "Description of Ordinary Shares" and the "Description of American Depositary Shares" contained therein and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of further
updating such descriptions.
In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, including any Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form
6-K
submitted during such period (or portion thereof) that is identified in such form as being incorporated by reference into this Registration
Statement, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. The Company is not incorporating by reference any document or portion thereof, whether
specifically listed above or to be filed in the future, that is not deemed "filed" with the SEC.
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 other subsequently filed
document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein), modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
of this Registration Statement.
ITEM 4.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5.
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The Company's Articles of Association provide that the Company may indemnify its directors and other officers in respect of any
proceedings, whether civil or criminal, brought against them by reason of their being directors or officers of the Company and to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom ("CA 2006").
Generally, under CA 2006, any provision by which the Company directly or indirectly provides an indemnity (to any extent) for a director of
the Company or of an "associated company" (i.e., a company that is a parent, subsidiary or sister company of the Company) against any liability attaching to him or her in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of
trust in relation to the company of which he or she is a director is (subject to certain exceptions specified under CA 2006) void.
The
Company has entered into a deed of indemnity with each of its directors, the form of which was filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's registration statement on Form
F-4
(Registration
No. 333-229351),
as originally filed by the Company on January 25, 2019 and subsequently amended. Except as prohibited by applicable law, these deeds of indemnity may require the Company, among other
things, to indemnify its directors for certain expenses, including attorneys' fees, costs and expenses incurred by such directors with the prior written consent of the Company in any action or proceeding arising out of their service as a
director of the Company, or one of its subsidiaries.
The Company maintains directors and officers insurance coverage, which, subject to
policy terms and limitations, is expected to include coverage to reimburse the Company for amounts that it may be required or permitted by law to pay directors or officers of the Company.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the
Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
ITEM 7.
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
EXHIBITS.
The exhibits listed below in the "Exhibit Index" are filed as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Registration
Statement.
ITEM 9.
UNDERTAKINGS.
(a)
The undersigned Company hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
Registration Statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this 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 SEC 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;
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this 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 reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(2)
That, 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)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b)
The undersigned Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 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 this 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 Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC 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 Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company 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 Company 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.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Articles of Association of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 
6-K, furnished to the SEC on May 17, 2022 (Film No. 22932321)).
4.1
Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on February 13, 2020 and January 
15, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Form
S-8
filed January 15, 2021 (File
No. 333-252147))
4.2
Mereo BioPharma Group plc 2019
Non-Employee
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on February 
13, 2020 and January 15, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Form
S-8
filed January 15, 2021 (File
No. 333-252147))
4.3
Deferred Compensation Plan for
Non-Employee
Directors, dated January 
31, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.44 to the Company's Form
20-F
filed March 31, 2022 (File
No. 333-28452))
4.4*
Form of Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Plans
4.5*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Plans
5.1*
Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel of the Registrant
23.1*
Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel of the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2*
Consent of BDO LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.3*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
24.1*
Powers of Attorney (included in signature page hereto)
107*
Filing Fee Table
*
Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable
grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
S-8
and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in
London, the United Kingdom on January 24, 2023.
MEREO BIOPHARMA GROUP PLC
By:
/s/ Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.
Name: Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.
Title: Chief Executive Officer
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Denise Scots- Knight, Ph.D. and Christine Fox, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this registration
statement and any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such
attorney-in-fact
and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or
she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his or her 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 has
been signed by the following persons on January 24, 2023 in the capacities indicated:
Signature
Title
/s/ Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board
Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Christine Fox
Chief Financial Officer
Christine Fox
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Michael Wyzga
Member of the Board
Michael Wyzga
/s/ Dr. Jeremy Bender
Member of the Board
Dr. Jeremy Bender
/s/ Dr. Anders Ekblom
Member of the Board
Dr. Anders Ekblom
/s/ Dr. Pierre Jacquet
Member of the Board
Dr. Pierre Jacquet
/s/ Dr. Annalisa Jenkins
Member of the Board
Dr. Annalisa Jenkins
/s/ Dr. Deepa Pakianathan
Member of the Board
Dr. Deepa Pakianathan
/s/ Justin Roberts
Member of the Board
Justin Roberts
/s/ Dr. Daniel Shames
Member of the Board
Dr. Daniel Shames
/s/ Marc Yoskowitz
Member of the Board
Marc Yoskowitz
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE OF REGISTRANT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United
States of America, Mereo BioPharma Group plc has signed this registration statement on January 24, 2023.
Mereo US Holdings, Inc.
By:
/s/ Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.
Name: Denise Scots-Knight, Ph.D.
Title: President