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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 August&nbsp;10, 2023 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>
</B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>UNDER </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </I></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Nevada</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">30-0784346</FONT></B></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>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>225 Franklin Street, 26th Floor</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Boston, MA</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>02110</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</B></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2020 Employee, Director and Consultant 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>Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Full title of the plans) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Ahmed S. Mousa, Esq. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Senior Vice President, Chief Business Officer and General Counsel </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>225 Franklin Street, 26th Floor </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Boston, MA 02110 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(857) <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">246-8998</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Copies to: </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>William C. Hicks, Esq. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>John P. Condon, Esq. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>One Financial Center </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Boston, MA 02111 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(617) <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">542-6000</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-accelerated</FONT> filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See 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>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Non-accelerated filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9746;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9746;</TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Emerging&nbsp;growth&nbsp;company</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">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;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART I </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><U>EXPLANATORY NOTE </U></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> Registration Statement is filed to register (i)&nbsp;an additional 6,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (&#147;Common Stock&#148;), of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the
&#147;Registrant&#148;) issuable under the Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2020 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan (the &#147;2020 Plan&#148;), and (ii) 750,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the &#147;2023 Plan&#148;). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In accordance with the instructional Note to Part I of Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;), the information specified by Part I of Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> has been omitted from this
Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> for offers of Common Stock pursuant to the 2020 Plan and the 2023 Plan. The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in
the 2020 Plan and the 2023 Plan covered by this Registration Statement as required by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART II </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>In this Registration Statement, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is sometimes referred to as
&#147;Registrant,&#148; &#147;we,&#148; &#147;us&#148; or &#147;our.&#148; </I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission are incorporated herein by reference: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) Our Annual Report on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001583648/000143774923008834/pirs20221231_10k.htm">Form
 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT></A> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2022 filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;31, 2023; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) The portions of the Registrant&#146;s definitive proxy statement on<A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000143774923011629/pirs20230119_def14a.htm">&nbsp;Schedule
 14A</A>&nbsp;(File No. <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on April&nbsp;28, 2023 that are deemed &#147;filed&#148; with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
&#147;Exchange Act&#148;); </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) Our Quarterly Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q</FONT> (File
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> for the quarter ended (i)&nbsp;<A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001583648/000143774923013687/pirs20230331_10q.htm">March<U></U>&nbsp;
31, 2023</A> filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;11, 2023 and (ii)&nbsp;June&nbsp;
30, 2023 filed with the Commission on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000143774923023085/pirs20230607_10q.htm">August 10, 2023</A>; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(d) Our Current Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the
Commission on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001583648/000119312523149296/d448653d8k.htm">May<U></U>&nbsp;
19, 2023</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001583648/000143774923017908/pirs20230618_8k.htm">June<U></U>&nbsp;
21, 2023</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001583648/000143774923018518/pirs20230622_8k.htm">June<U></U>&nbsp;
26, 2023</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001583648/000143774923019831/pirs20230705c_8k.htm">July<U></U>&nbsp;
13, 2023</A>, and <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001583648/000143774923020094/pirs20230705_8k.htm">July<U></U>&nbsp;18, 2023</A> (except for the information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 and
the exhibits furnished thereto); and </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(e) The description of Common Stock contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000119312515233468/d949476d8a12b.htm">
<U>Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-A</FONT></U></A> filed on June&nbsp;24, 2015 (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471),</FONT> including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All reports and other documents filed by the Registrant after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the
date of filing of such reports and documents. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference or
deemed to be a part of this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in this Registration Statement or in any other subsequently filed
document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference or deemed to be a part of this Registration Statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement contained in a document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference or
deemed to be a part of this Registration Statement after the most recent effective date may modify or replace existing statements contained in this Registration Statement. In either case, any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed
to constitute a part of this Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant is a Nevada corporation and is generally governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant&#146;s amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, provide that each person who was or is
made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was one of the Registrant&#146;s directors or officers or is or was serving at its request as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to
an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such action, suit or proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or trustee, shall be indemnified
and held harmless by us to the fullest extent authorized by NRS against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys&#146; fees and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">NRS 78.7502 permits a corporation to indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees)
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, if such person
(i)&nbsp;is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 and (ii)&nbsp;acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action (i.e., one brought by or on behalf of the corporation), indemnification may be provided only for expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and
attorneys&#146; fees actually and reasonably incurred by any director, officer, employee or agent in connection with the defense or settlement of such an action or the suit if such person (i)&nbsp;is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 and
(ii)&nbsp;acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be provided if such person shall have been adjudged to be liable
to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines that such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant&#146;s amended and restated articles of incorporation
provide that the liability of its directors and officers shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS. NRS 78.138(7) provides that, subject to limited statutory exceptions and unless the articles of incorporation or an
amendment thereto (in each case filed on or after October&nbsp;1, 2003) provide for greater individual liability, a director or officer is not individually liable to a corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any
act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer unless it is proven that: (i)&nbsp;the act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and (ii)&nbsp;the breach of those duties
involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and
certain officers, in addition to the indemnification provided in the NRS, its amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and
officers in the future. The Registrant has purchased and intends to maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any
such capacity, subject to certain exclusions. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing discussion of the Registrant&#146;s amended and restated articles of incorporation, amended
and restated bylaws, as amended, indemnification agreements, and Nevada law is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by such amended and restated articles of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, as amended,
indemnification agreements, or law. </P>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following exhibits are filed as a part of or incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>

<TD></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Exhibit</B><br><B>Number</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Item</B></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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000119312514445590/d837896dex31.htm">Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s Current Report
on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on December&nbsp;18, 2014). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000119312516679305/d229960dex31.htm">Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly
 Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;11, 2016). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000158364819000004/finalpirs-certificateofdes.htm">Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s
 Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on February&nbsp;4, 2019). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.4</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000158364819000068/pieriscertificateofdesig.htm">Certificate of Designation of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s
 Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on November&nbsp;4, 2019). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.5</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000119312520099499/d909334dex31.htm">Certificate of Designation of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s Current
 Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on April&nbsp;6, 2020). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.6</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000119312521169379/d180418dex31.htm">Certificate of Designation of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s Current
 Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;21, 2021). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.7</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000119312514445590/d837896dex32.htm">Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on December&nbsp;18, 2014). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.8</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000158364819000056/a190903pirsexhibit31byla.htm">Amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s
 Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File No.<U></U><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on September<U></U>&nbsp;3, 2019).</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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.9</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000119312516514870/d111873dex42.htm">Form of Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;23, 2016). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d504232dex51.htm">Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;23.1*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d504232dex231.htm">Consent of Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young LLP. </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;23.2*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d504232dex51.htm">Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (contained in Exhibit 5.1 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>&nbsp;&nbsp;24.1*</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d504232ds8.htm#sig">Powers of Attorney (included in the signature page of this registration statement). </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>&nbsp;&nbsp;99.1+</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000143774923018518/ex_537026.htm">2020 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant&#146;s Current
 Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> (File No.<U></U><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on June<U></U>&nbsp;26,
2023).</A></TD></TR></TABLE>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


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

<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="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>

<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;99.2+</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000119312521237847/d210015dex102.htm">Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Registrant&#146;s 2020 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated
 by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (File No.<U></U><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&nbsp;333-258502)</FONT> filed with the Commission on
August<U></U>&nbsp;5, 2021).</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>&nbsp;&nbsp;99.3+</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583648/000143774923023085/ex_555614.htm">2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-37471)</FONT> filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;10, 2023.</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="d504232dexfilingfees.htm">Calculation of Registration Fee. </A></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="2%" 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="left">Filed herewith. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="2%" 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="left">Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings. </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" 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="left">The undersigned Registrant 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="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" 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="left">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="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" 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="left">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="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" 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="left">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in
the effective Registration Statement; and </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">(iii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Provided,
however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" 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="left">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="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" 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="left">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%" 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="left">The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act 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>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<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="4%" 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="left">Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<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"><B><A NAME="sig"></A>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>The Registrant</I>. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 the city of Boston,
Massachusetts, on August 10, 2023. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>

<TD WIDTH="7%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</B></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 STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">By:</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Stephen S. Yoder</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Stephen S. Yoder</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>President and Chief Executive Officer</I></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Stephen S. Yoder and Thomas Bures, and each of them singly, his or her true and lawful <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorneys-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them singly, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in any and
all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorneys-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agents, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in or 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 the <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorneys-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agents or any of each of them or their substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated. </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">


<TR>

<TD WIDTH="38%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>Signature</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>Title</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>Date</B></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Stephen S. Yoder</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">President, Chief Executive Officer and Director</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(Principal Executive Officer)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Stephen S. Yoder</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Thomas Bures</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Thomas Bures</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ James Geraghty</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Chairman of the Board</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">James Geraghty</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Michael Richman</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Director</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Michael Richman</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Ann Barbier, M.D., Ph.D.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Director</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Ann Barbier, M.D., Ph.D.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Christopher Kiritsy</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Director</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Christopher Kiritsy</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Peter Kiener, D.Phil.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Director</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Peter Kiener, D.Phil.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Matthew L. Sherman, M.D.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Director</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ROWSPAN="2" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Matthew L. Sherman, M.D.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></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 STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Maya R. Said, Sc.D.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Director</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center">August 10, 2023</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Maya R. Said, Sc.D.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
</DIV></Center>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.", "cik": "0001583648", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "300784346", "state-of-incorporation": "NV", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-273893", "film-number": "231160532"}, "business-address": {"street1": "225 FRANKLIN STREET", "street2": "26TH FLOOR", "city": "BOSTON", "state": "MA", "zip": "02110", "phone": "857-246-8998"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "225 FRANKLIN STREET", "street2": "26TH FLOOR", "city": "BOSTON", "state": "MA", "zip": "02110"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "Marika Inc.", "date-changed": "20130805"}}
S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 10, 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
Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
30-0784346
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
225 Franklin Street, 26th Floor
Boston, MA
02110
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2020 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(Full title of the plans)
Ahmed S. Mousa, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Chief Business Officer and General Counsel
Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
225 Franklin Street, 26th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(857)
246-8998
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
William C. Hicks, Esq.
John P. Condon, Esq.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111
(617)
542-6000
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 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.  ☐
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Form
S-8
Registration Statement is filed to register (i) an additional 6,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share ("Common Stock"), of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the
"Registrant") issuable under the Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2020 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan (the "2020 Plan"), and (ii) 750,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "2023 Plan").
In accordance with the instructional Note to Part I of Form
S-8
as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), the information specified by Part I of Form
S-8
has been omitted from this
Registration Statement on Form
S-8
for offers of Common Stock pursuant to the 2020 Plan and the 2023 Plan. The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in
the 2020 Plan and the 2023 Plan covered by this Registration Statement as required by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
PART II
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
In this Registration Statement, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is sometimes referred to as
"Registrant," "we," "us" or "our."
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) Our Annual Report on
Form
10-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Commission on March 31, 2023;
(b) The portions of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement on
Schedule
 14A
(File No.
001-37471)
filed with the Commission on April 28, 2023 that are deemed "filed" with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act");
(c) Our Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q
(File
No. 001-37471)
for the quarter ended (i)
March
31, 2023
filed with the Commission on May 11, 2023 and (ii) June 
30, 2023 filed with the Commission on
August 10, 2023
;
(d) Our Current Reports on Form
8-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the
Commission on
May
19, 2023
,
June
21, 2023
,
June
26, 2023
,
July
13, 2023
, and
July
18, 2023
(except for the information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 and
the exhibits furnished thereto); and
(e) The description of Common Stock contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form
8-A
filed on June 24, 2015 (File
No. 001-37471),
including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.
All reports and other documents filed by the Registrant after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the
date of filing of such reports and documents.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference or
deemed to be a part of this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in this Registration Statement or in any other subsequently filed
document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference or deemed to be a part of this Registration Statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement contained in a document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference or
deemed to be a part of this Registration Statement after the most recent effective date may modify or replace existing statements contained in this Registration Statement. In either case, any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed
to constitute a part of this Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Registrant is a Nevada corporation and is generally governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS.
The Registrant's amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, provide that each person who was or is
made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was one of the Registrant's directors or officers or is or was serving at its request as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to
an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such action, suit or proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or trustee, shall be indemnified
and held harmless by us to the fullest extent authorized by NRS against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith.
NRS 78.7502 permits a corporation to indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, if such person
(i) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 and (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action (i.e., one brought by or on behalf of the corporation), indemnification may be provided only for expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and
attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by any director, officer, employee or agent in connection with the defense or settlement of such an action or the suit if such person (i) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 and
(ii) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be provided if such person shall have been adjudged to be liable
to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines that such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.
The Registrant's amended and restated articles of incorporation
provide that the liability of its directors and officers shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS. NRS 78.138(7) provides that, subject to limited statutory exceptions and unless the articles of incorporation or an
amendment thereto (in each case filed on or after October 1, 2003) provide for greater individual liability, a director or officer is not individually liable to a corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any
act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer unless it is proven that: (i) the act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and (ii) the breach of those duties
involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law.
The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and
certain officers, in addition to the indemnification provided in the NRS, its amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and
officers in the future. The Registrant has purchased and intends to maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any
such capacity, subject to certain exclusions.
The foregoing discussion of the Registrant's amended and restated articles of incorporation, amended
and restated bylaws, as amended, indemnification agreements, and Nevada law is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by such amended and restated articles of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, as amended,
indemnification agreements, or law.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as a part of or incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Item
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report
on Form
8-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on December 18, 2014).
4.2
Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly
 Report on Form
10-Q
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on August 11, 2016).
4.3
Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's
 Current Report on Form
8-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on February 4, 2019).
4.4
Certificate of Designation of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's
 Current Report on Form
8-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on November 4, 2019).
4.5
Certificate of Designation of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current
 Report on Form
8-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on April 6, 2020).
4.6
Certificate of Designation of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current
 Report on Form
8-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on May 21, 2021).
4.7
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
8-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on December 18, 2014).
4.8
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's
 Current Report on Form
8-K
(File No.
001-37471)
filed with the Commission on September
3, 2019).
4.9
Form of Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
10-K
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on March 23, 2016).
5.1*
Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
23.1*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2*
Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1*
Powers of Attorney (included in the signature page of this registration statement).
99.1+
2020 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current
 Report on Form
8-K
(File No.
001-37471)
filed with the Commission on June
26,
2023).
99.2+
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Registrant's 2020 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated
 by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8
(File No.
333-258502)
filed with the Commission on
August
5, 2021).
99.3+
2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q
(File
No. 001-37471)
filed with the Commission on August 10, 2023.
107*
Calculation of Registration Fee.
*
Filed herewith.
+
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
Registration Statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
Provided,
however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(2)
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 Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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 Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
The Registrant
. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
S-8
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Boston,
Massachusetts, on August 10, 2023.
PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:
/s/ Stephen S. Yoder
Stephen S. Yoder
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Stephen S. Yoder and Thomas Bures, and each of them singly, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them singly, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in any and
all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form
S-8
of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to the
attorneys-in-fact
and agents, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in or 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 the
attorneys-in-fact
and agents or any of each of them or their substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Stephen S. Yoder
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
August 10, 2023
Stephen S. Yoder
/s/ Thomas Bures
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
August 10, 2023
Thomas Bures
/s/ James Geraghty
Chairman of the Board
August 10, 2023
James Geraghty
/s/ Michael Richman
Director
August 10, 2023
Michael Richman
/s/ Ann Barbier, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
August 10, 2023
Ann Barbier, M.D., Ph.D.
/s/ Christopher Kiritsy
Director
August 10, 2023
Christopher Kiritsy
/s/ Peter Kiener, D.Phil.
Director
August 10, 2023
Peter Kiener, D.Phil.
/s/ Matthew L. Sherman, M.D.
Director
August 10, 2023
Matthew L. Sherman, M.D.
/s/ Maya R. Said, Sc.D.
Director
August 10, 2023
Maya R. Said, Sc.D.