Sec Form 13D Filing - Viburnum Funds Pty Ltd filing for UNIVERSAL BIOSENSORS INC (UBI) - 2019-12-02

Insider filing report for Changes in Beneficial Ownership

  • Schedule 13G & 13D forms are used to report a party's ownership of stock which exceeds 5% of a company's total stock issue.
  • Schedule 13G is a shorter version of Schedule 13D with fewer reporting requirements.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934*

 

Universal Biosensors, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock, par value US$0.0001

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

Not Applicable

(CUSIP Number)

 

Viburnum Funds Pty Ltd

Attention: David St Quintin

31 Carrington Street

Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia, 6009

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

November 28, 2019

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

*         The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

(Continued on Following Pages)

 

 

 

 

CUSIP NO.: Not Applicable SCHEDULE 13D  

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Viburnum Funds Pty Ltd
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) ¨              (b) ¨
3

SEC USE ONLY

 

4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO
5 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

¨
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Australia

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
7 SOLE VOTING POWER

0
8 SHARED VOTING POWER

36,636,061
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

36,636,061

11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

36,636,061
12 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
¨
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

20.65% based on 177,381,350 shares outstanding as of December 2, 2019
14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO

 

  2  

 

 

CUSIP NO.: Not Applicable SCHEDULE 13D  

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.

VF High Conviction Fund
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) ¨               (b) ¨
3

SEC USE ONLY

 

4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO
5 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

¨
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Australia

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
7 SOLE VOTING POWER

0
8 SHARED VOTING POWER

11,828,110
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

11,828,110

11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

11,828,110
12 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
¨
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

6.67% based on 177,381,350 shares outstanding as of December 2, 2019
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO

 

  3  

 

 

CUSIP NO.: Not Applicable SCHEDULE 13D  

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.

VF Strategic Equites Fund
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) ¨               (b) ¨
3

SEC USE ONLY

 

4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO
5 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

¨
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Australia

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
7 SOLE VOTING POWER

0
8 SHARED VOTING POWER

18,442,469
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

18,442,469

11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

18,442,469
12 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS
¨
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

10.40% based on 177,381,350 shares outstanding as of December 2, 2019
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO

 

  4  

 

 

CUSIP NO.: Not Applicable SCHEDULE 13D  

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Craig E. Coleman
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) ¨               (b) ¨
3

SEC USE ONLY

 

4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO
5 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

¨
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Australia

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
7 SOLE VOTING POWER

0
8 SHARED VOTING POWER

36,856,061
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

36,856,061

11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

36,856,061
12 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
¨
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

20.78% based on 177,381,550 shares outstanding as of December 2, 2019
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

IN

 

  5  

 

 

CUSIP NO.: Not Applicable SCHEDULE 13D  

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Marshall Allen
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) ¨               (b) ¨
3

SEC USE ONLY

 

4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO
5 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

¨
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Australia

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
7 SOLE VOTING POWER

0
8 SHARED VOTING POWER

36,636,061
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

36,636,061

11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

36,636,061
12 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
¨
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

20.65% based on 177,381,550 shares outstanding as of December 2, 2019
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

IN

 

  6  

 

 

CUSIP NO.: Not Applicable SCHEDULE 13D  

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Anthony Howarth
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) ¨               (b) ¨
3

SEC USE ONLY

 

4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO
5 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

¨
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Australia

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
7 SOLE VOTING POWER

0
8 SHARED VOTING POWER

36,636,061
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

36,636,061

11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

36,636,061
12 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
¨
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

20.65% based on 177,381,350 shares outstanding as of December 2, 2019
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

IN

 

  7  

 

 

CUSIP NO.: Not Applicable SCHEDULE 13D  

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Wayne McGrath
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) ¨               (b) ¨
3

SEC USE ONLY

 

4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

OO
5 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

¨
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Australia

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
7 SOLE VOTING POWER

0
8 SHARED VOTING POWER

36,636,061
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

36,636,061

11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

36,636,061
12 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
¨
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

20.65% based on 177,381,350 shares outstanding as of December 2, 2019
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

IN

 

  8  

 

 

Preamble

 

This Schedule 13D supersedes the Schedule 13D filed on March 6, 2019, by Viburnum, Conviction Fund, Strategic Fund, Craig E. Coleman, Marshall Allen, Anthony Howarth and Melissa Karlson relating to the Shares of the Issuer (all defined terms as defined below). This Schedule 13D is being filed because the ownership percentage increased by greater than 1%. The relevant Reporting Persons have complied with the Form 4 filing requirements, and the Australian Securities Exchange disclosure requirements in relation to ownership changes as a result of the purchases since the last Section 13D filed.

 

Item 1.Security and Issuer.

 

This statement relates to the Common Stock, US$0.0001 par value per share (the “Shares”), of Universal Biosensors, Inc. (the “Issuer”). The Shares are traded as Chess Depository Interests (“CDIs”) on the Australian Stock Exchange. CDIs represent beneficial interests in the common stock held by CHESS Depository Nominees Pty Ltd.

 

The address of the principal executive offices of the issuer is 1 Corporate Avenue, Rowville, 3178, Victoria, Australia.

 

Item 2.Identity and Background.

 

This Schedule 13D is being filed jointly by Viburnum Funds Pty Ltd, an Australian proprietary limited company (“Viburnum”), VF High Conviction Fund, an Australian unit trust (“Conviction Fund”), VF Strategic Equites Fund (“Strategic Fund”), Craig E. Coleman, Marshall Allen, Anthony Howarth and Wayne McGrath (who replaced Melissa Karlson as a director of Viburnum), each of whom is sometimes referred to herein as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.” Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing Agreement, as further described in Item 6. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.

 

Viburnum is an Australian based equity funds manager that manages, among other things, the Strategic Fund, the Conviction Fund and separately managed accounts on behalf of Viburnum clients (“SMAs”). Each of Messrs. Coleman, Allen, Howarth and McGrath serve as a director of Viburnum. The principal business address of each of the Reporting Persons is c/o Viburnum Funds Pty Ltd, 31 Carrington Street, Nedlands, Australia 6009.

 

In addition to serving as a director of Viburnum, Mr. Coleman also has served on the board of directors of the Issuer (the “Board”) since June 30, 2016 and was elected as Chair of the Board on August 7, 2017. Mr. Coleman participates in the Issuer’s standard outside director compensation program. Pursuant to this program, Mr. Coleman received annual director fees of A$50,000 from June 30, 2016 until August 7, 2017. This increased to annual director fees of A$150,000 from August 8, 2017 until December 31, 2018. This then decreased to annual director fees of A$80,000 from January 1, 2019. Mr. Coleman also serves as Chair of the Issuer’s Remuneration and Nomination Committee, for which role he was paid an additional fee of A$10,000 per annum from June 30, 2016 until December 31, 2018, at which time this additional fee ceased. Statutory superannuation under Australian law is also paid to independent non-executive directors (currently 9.50% of the base fee).

 

No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

 

No Reporting Person has, during the last five years, been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or find any violation with respect to such laws.

 

Messrs. Coleman, Allen, Howarth and McGrath are Australian citizens.

 

  9  

 

 

Item 3.Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

 

The Shares purchased by each of Strategic Fund, Conviction Fund and SMAs managed by Viburnum were purchased using investment funds in open market purchases and those purchases since the last Section 13D filed are set out in Appendix A.

 

The aggregate purchase price of the 18,442,469 Shares owned directly by Strategic Fund is approximately $7,539,886 including brokerage commissions.

 

The aggregate purchase price of the 11,828,110 Shares owned directly by Conviction Fund is approximately $3,511,000 including brokerage commissions.

 

The aggregate purchase price of the 6,365,482 Shares owned directly by the SMAs is approximately $1,192,432 including brokerage commissions.

 

Item 4.Purpose of Transaction.

 

The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares based on the Reporting Persons’ belief that the Shares, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions and other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of Shares at prices that would make the purchase or sale of Shares desirable, the Reporting Persons may increase or decrease their position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of Shares on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable.

 

No Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur upon completion of any of the actions discussed above.

 

The Reporting Persons have had communications with the Issuer regarding management of the Issuer as Mr. Coleman has served on the Board since June 30, 2016. The Reporting Persons intend to review their investment in the Issuer on a continuing basis. The Reporting Persons may from time to time engage in discussions with the Issuer and Issuer’s management and board of directors, other stockholders of the Issuer and other interested parties that may relate to the governance and board composition, business, operations, cost structure, management, assets, capitalization, financial condition, strategic plans, and the future of the Issuer.

 

Depending on various factors including, without limitation, the Issuer’s financial position and investment strategy, the price levels of the Shares, conditions in the securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, the Reporting Persons may in the future take such actions with respect to their investment in the Issuer as they deem appropriate including, without limitation, purchasing additional Shares, selling some or all of their Shares, or changing their intention with respect to any and all matters referred to in Item 4.

 

  10  

 

 

Item 5.Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

 

Strategic Fund beneficially owns 18,442,469 Shares. Conviction Fund beneficially owns 11,828,110 Shares. SMAs beneficially owns 6,365,482 Shares. Viburnum, as the sole manager of the foregoing entities, may be deemed to beneficially own 36,636,061 Shares. As the sole manager of the Strategic Fund and the Conviction Fund (the “Funds”), and the SMAs, Viburnum shares voting and dispositive power over, and may be deemed to beneficially own, the Shares held by the Funds and the SMAs. The 36,636,061 Shares owned by the Funds and the SMAs represent approximately 20.65% based on 177,381,350 Shares outstanding as of December 2, 2019.

 

Each of Craig E. Coleman, Marshall Allen, Anthony Howarth and Wayne McGrath share voting and dispositive power over, and may be deemed to beneficially own all of the 36,636,061 Shares, held by the Funds and separately managed accounts, due to each of the foregoing individuals serving as a director of Viburnum. Each of Messrs. Coleman, Allen, Howarth and McGrath disclaims beneficial ownership over the Shares held by the Strategic Fund, Conviction Fund and SMAs.

 

In addition to the 36,636,061 Shares held by the Funds and SMAs, Mr. Coleman may be deemed to beneficially own 220,000 additional Shares as a result of serving as a trustee of the Coleman Super Fund, of which Mr. Coleman is a potential beneficiary. No other Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own, or share voting and dispositive power over, the additional shares owned by the Coleman Super Fund.

 

For a complete list of transactions involving the Shares that were effected since the last Section 13D filing please see Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Shares.

 

Item 6.Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

 

On July 20, 2016, the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing Agreement in which the Reporting Persons agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13G or Schedule 13D with respect to securities of the Issuer. The Joint Filing Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Other than as described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the Reporting Persons, or between the Reporting Persons and any other person, with respect to the securities of the Issuer.

 

Item 7.Items to be Filed as Exhibits.

 

99.1Joint Filing Agreement by and among Viburnum Funds Pty Ltd, VF Strategic Equities Fund, VF High Conviction Fund, VF Australian Equites Fund, Craig E. Coleman, Marshall Allen, Anthony Howarth and Melissa Karlson dated July 20, 2016.

 

  11  

 

 

Signature

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date: December 2, 2019  
  VIBURNUM FUNDS PTY LTD
   
  By: /s/ David St. Quintin
  Name: David St. Quintin
  Title: Company Secretary
   
  VF STRATEGIC EQUITES FUND
   
  By: /s/ David St. Quintin
  Name: David St. Quintin
  Title: Company Secretary of Investment Manager
   
  VF HIGH CONVICTION FUND
     
  By: /s/ David St. Quintin
  Name:    David St. Quintin
  Title: Company Secretary of Investment Manager
   
     
  By: /s/ Craig E. Coleman
  Name: CRAIG E. COLEMAN
   
     
  By: /s/ Marshall Allen
  Name: MARSHALL ALLEN
   
     
  By: /s/ Anthony Howarth
  Name: ANTHONY HOWARTH
     
  By: /s/ Wayne McGrath
  Name: WAYNE McGRATH

 

  12  

 

 

Appendix A

 

TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON SHARES EFFECTED BY THE REPORTING PERSON SINCE THE LAST SECTION 13D FILING

 

The following table sets forth all transactions with respect to the Common Shares effected since the last section 13D filing made on March 6, 2019 by any of the Reporting Persons. Except as otherwise noted, all such transactions in the table were effected in the open market, and the table includes commissions paid in per share prices.

 

Reporting Person     Date of Transaction     Shares Purchased (Sold)     Price per Share ($)  
SMAs   November 13, 2019     669,597     $ 0.1863  
SMAs   November 15, 2019     36,500     $ 0.1904  
SMAs   November 27, 2019     214,783     $ 0.1912  
SMAs   November 28, 2019     1,885,217     $ 0.1997  
SMAs   December 2, 2019     119,519     $ 0.2004  
Strategic Fund   September 11, 2019     1,710,683     $ 0.1904  
Strategic Fund   September 12, 2019     80,000     $ 0.1908  

 

  13