Exhibit 5.1
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Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, New York 10112-0015 212.653.8700 main 212.653.8701 fax www.sheppardmullin.com |
April 19, 2024
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.
444 West Lake Street, Suite 1700,
Chicago, IL, 60606
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-8 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection with the filing by MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), covering 3,838,668 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), which may be issued pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”).
This opinion (this “Opinion”) is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 8 of Form S-8 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K.
In connection with this Opinion, we have reviewed and relied upon the Registration Statement, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as in effect on the date hereof (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as in effect on the date hereof (the “Bylaws” and together with the Certificate of Incorporation, the “Charter Documents”), the proceedings taken by the Company with respect to the authorization and adoption of the Plan, resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company, and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we deem necessary as a basis for this Opinion.
With respect to the foregoing documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to the original of all documents submitted to us as certified or reproduced copies. We have also assumed that the Shares will be uncertificated in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, and the transfer agent therefor will register the purchaser thereof as the registered owner of any uncertificated Shares on its stock transfer books and records. We have further assumed that (a) shares of Common Stock currently reserved for issuance under the Plan will remain available for the issuance of the Shares, and (b) neither the Company’s Charter Documents nor any of the proceedings relating to either the Plan or any of the award agreements relating to the Shares will be rescinded, amended or otherwise modified prior to the issuance of the Shares. We have also obtained from public officials and officers of the Company certificates or comparable documents as to certain factual matters and, insofar as this Opinion is based on matters of fact, we have relied on such certificates and comparable documents without independent investigation. We have made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the opinions hereinafter set forth.
On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in the Plan and against proper payment and consideration thereof and pursuant to the agreements that accompany the Plan, will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We consent to the filing of this Opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.