ADC Therapeutics SA F-3, filed Mar 15, 2023
ADC Therapeutics SA (ADCT)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2023.
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ADC THERAPEUTICS SA
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| Switzerland | Not Applicable | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Biopôle
Route de la Corniche 3B
1066 Epalinges
Switzerland
+41 21 653 02 00
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
ADC Therapeutics America, Inc.
430 Mountain Avenue, 4th Floor
Murray Hill, NJ 07974
(908) 546-5556
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
| Deanna L. Kirkpatrick Yasin Keshvargar Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 450 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017 (212) 450-4000 |
Dieter Gericke Daniel Häusermann Homburger AG Hardstrasse 201 CH-8005 Zurich, Switzerland +41 43 222 10 00 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effectiveness of this registration statement.
If only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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. ☐
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until this registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
ADC Therapeutics SA (the “Company”) is filing this registration statement, which contains two prospectuses:
| · | a base prospectus that covers the offering, issuance and sale of up to $300,000,000 of the Company’s common shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and units; and |
| · | a sales agreement prospectus supplement that covers the offering and sale of up to $150,000,000 of the Company’s common shares that may be issued and sold under the Open Market Sale AgreementSM (the “sales agreement”) between the Company and Jefferies LLC dated June 4, 2021. |
The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus. The sales agreement prospectus supplement immediately follows the base prospectus. The common shares that may be issued and sold pursuant to the sales agreement prospectus supplement are included in the $300,000,000 of securities that may be issued and sold by the Company pursuant to the base prospectus. Any portion of the $150,000,000 included in the sales agreement prospectus supplement that remains unsold pursuant to the sales agreement will be available for sale in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and a corresponding prospectus supplement.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 15, 2023
PROSPECTUS
ADC THERAPEUTICS SA
$300,000,000
Common Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to $300,000,000 of any combination of the following securities: common shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and units (collectively, the “securities”). We may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in different series, at times, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of each offering. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.
The securities covered by this prospectus may be offered through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, any applicable commissions or discounts payable to them and the specific terms of the plan of distribution. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, see “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 38 of this prospectus.
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ADCT.”
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 6 of this prospectus and, if applicable, any risk factors described in any applicable prospectus supplement and in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated , 2023.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | 2 |
| OUR COMPANY | 4 |
| RISK FACTORS | 6 |
| CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 6 |
| USE OF PROCEEDS | 8 |
| DIVIDEND POLICY | 8 |
| DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION | 9 |
| DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES | 31 |
| DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS | 33 |
| DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS | 34 |
| DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS | 35 |
| DESCRIPTION OF UNITS | 35 |
| FORMS OF SECURITIES | 36 |
| PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | 38 |
| EXPENSES OF THE OFFERING | 40 |
| LEGAL MATTERS | 41 |
| EXPERTS | 41 |
| ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS | 41 |
| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 42 |
| INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE | 43 |
i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell up to $300,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered by us. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement accompanied by this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain specific information about the nature of the persons offering securities and the terms the securities being offered at that time. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
Before buying any of the securities that we are offering, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement with all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.” These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus, provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a prospectus supplement or a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
The information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the sale of any securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
Neither we nor any underwriters, dealers or agents have authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus, any amendment or supplement to this prospectus, or any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither we nor any underwriters, dealers or agents take responsibility for, or provide assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
For investors outside the United States: Neither we nor any underwriters, dealers or agents have taken any action that would permit the offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities described herein and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “ADC Therapeutics,” “ADCT,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” or similar terms refer to ADC Therapeutics SA and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Trademarks
We own various trademark registrations and applications, and unregistered trademarks, including ADC Therapeutics, ADCT, ZYNLONTA and our corporate logo. All other trade names, trademarks and service
2
marks of other companies appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this prospectus may be referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. We do not intend to use or display other companies’ trademarks and trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
Presentation of Financial Information
Our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). None of the consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The terms “dollar,” “USD” or “$” refer to U.S. dollars and the term “Swiss franc” and “CHF” refer to the legal currency of Switzerland, unless otherwise indicated. We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this prospectus. Accordingly, any numerical discrepancies in any table between totals and sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding.
Market and Industry Data
This prospectus contains industry, market and competitive position data that are based on general and industry publications, surveys and studies conducted by third parties, some of which may not be publicly available, and our own internal estimates and research. Third-party publications, surveys and studies generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. These data involve a number of assumptions and limitations and contain projections and estimates of the future performance of the industries in which we operate that are subject to a high degree of uncertainty.
3
OUR COMPANY
Overview
We are a fully-integrated commercial-stage biotechnology company helping to improve the lives of those affected by cancer with our next-generation, targeted antibody drug conjugates (“ADCs”). Our flagship product, ZYNLONTA® (loncastuximab tesirine or Lonca) received accelerated approval from the FDA on April 23, 2021, and launched commercially in the U.S. shortly thereafter, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (“DLBCL”) not otherwise specified, DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, and also high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Our objective is to establish ZYNLONTA as the third line+ DLBCL standard of care while exploring ZYNLONTA in earlier lines of therapy and in combinations to expand our market opportunity. We have a strong validated technology platform including our highly potent pyrrolobenzodiazepine (“PBD”) technology and are advancing this proprietary PBD-based ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Additionally, we have a growing toolbox of different components allowing us to work on next-generation ADC products. By leveraging our R&D strengths, our disciplined approach to target selection and our preclinical and clinical development strategy, we have created a diverse portfolio and research pipeline. Our clinical-stage PBD-based pipeline consists of two company-sponsored candidates, ADCT-901 (KAAG1) and ADCT-601 (mipasetamab uzoptirine) (AXL), as well as one clinical-stage candidate, ADCT-602 (CD22), which is being developed in collaboration with a partner. Our preclinical-stage PBD-based pipeline consists of one company-sponsored candidate, ADCT-212 (PSMA), as well as one preclinical-stage candidate, ADCT-701(DLK-1), which is being developed in collaboration with our partner, the National Cancer Institute. We are also committed to broadening our ADC platform by expanding new antibody constructs and payloads and advancing our differentiated next-generation assets.
Company and Corporate Information
We are a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) organized under the laws of Switzerland. We were incorporated as a Swiss limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) on June 6, 2011 and converted into a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) under the laws of Switzerland on October 13, 2015. We have three subsidiaries: ADC Therapeutics (UK) Limited, ADC Therapeutics America, Inc. and ADC Therapeutics (NL) BV. Our principal executive office is located at Biopôle, Route de la Corniche 3B, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland and our telephone number is +41 21 653 02 00. Our website is www.adctherapeutics.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
We are considered a “foreign private issuer.” Accordingly, we report under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. This means that we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including:
| · | the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; |
| · | the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and |
| · | the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events. |
4
We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States.
In this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, we have taken advantage of certain of the reduced reporting requirements as a result of being a foreign private issuer. Accordingly, the information contained in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold securities.
5
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. Before making a decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our then-most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, and any updates to those risk factors in our reports on Form 6-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. Although we discuss key risks in our discussion of risk factors, new risks may emerge in the future, which may prove to be significant. We cannot predict future risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our future catalysts, results of operations and financial position, business and commercial strategy, market opportunities, products and product candidates, research pipeline, ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials, regulatory submissions and approvals, research and development costs, projected revenues, expenses and cash balance and the timing of revenues and expenses, timing and likelihood of success, as well as plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will” and “potential,” among others.
Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information available to our management at the time such statements are made. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to achieve its financial guidance, including 2023 net product revenue guidance for ZYNLONTA and the decrease in total operating expenses for 2023 and 2024; the Company’s ability to continue to commercialize ZYNLONTA in the United States and future revenue from the same; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi)’s ability to successfully commercialize ZYNLONTA in the European Economic Area and market acceptance, adequate reimbursement coverage, and future revenue from the same; our strategic partners’, including Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation and Overland Pharmaceuticals, ability to obtain regulatory approval for ZYNLONTA in foreign jurisdictions, and the timing and amount of future revenue and payments to us from such partnerships; the Company’s ability to market its products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; the timing and results of the Company’s or its partners’ research projects or clinical trials including LOTIS 2, 5, 7 and 9, ADCT 901, 701, 601, 602 and 212, the timing and outcome of regulatory submissions and actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory agencies with respect to the Company’s products or product candidates; projected revenue and expenses; our indebtedness and the restrictions imposed on the Company’s activities by such indebtedness, the ability to repay such indebtedness and the significant cash required to service such indebtedness; the Company’s ability to obtain financial and other resources for its research, development, clinical, and commercial activities; the manufacture and supply of our products and product candidates; our expectations regarding the size of the patient populations amenable to treatment with our products and, if approved, product candidates, as well as the treatment landscape of the indications that we are targeting with our products and product candidates; our ability to identify and develop additional product candidates; the ability of our competitors to discover, develop or commercialize competing products before or more successfully than we do; our competitive position and the development of and projections relating to our competitors or our industry; our estimates of our expenses, revenues, capital requirements, cash runway and need for or ability to obtain additional financing; our ability to identify and successfully
6
enter into strategic collaborations or licensing opportunities in the future, and our assumptions regarding any potential revenue that we may generate under current or future collaborations or licensing arrangements; our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce intellectual property protection for our products and product candidates, and the scope of such protection; our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of third parties; our expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; our expectations regarding the impact of the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including resulting sanctions and changes in commodities prices, on our business and industry and the financial markets; our expectations regarding the impact of inflation and other market risks; our ability to attract and retain qualified key management and technical personnel; our expectations regarding the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting; and our expectations regarding the time during which we will be a foreign private issuer.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they were made. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond our control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of such statements, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
7
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the principal purpose of an offering would be to increase our capitalization and financial flexibility and the net proceeds from our sale of the securities will be used for general corporate purposes and other business opportunities.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our share capital. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, agreements governing our indebtedness, including the loan agreement and guaranty, dated August 15, 2022, among us, ADC Therapeutics (UK) Limited, ADC Therapeutics America, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Owl Rock Opportunistic Master Fund I, L.P., as administrative agent and collateral agent, limit our ability to pay dividends. Any future determination related to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, business prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.
Under Swiss law, any dividend must be approved by our shareholders. In addition, our auditors must confirm that the dividend proposal of our board of directors to the shareholders conforms to Swiss statutory law and our articles of association. A Swiss corporation may pay dividends only if it has sufficient distributable profits from the previous business year (bénéfice de l’exercice) or brought forward from previous business years (report des bénéfices) or if it has distributable reserves (réserves à libre disposition), each as evidenced by its audited stand-alone statutory balance sheet prepared pursuant to Swiss law and after allocations to reserves required by Swiss law and its articles of association have been deducted. Distributable reserves are generally booked either as free reserves (réserves libres) or as reserves from capital contributions (apports de capital). Distributions out of share capital, which is the aggregate par value of a corporation’s issued shares, may be made only by way of a share capital reduction. See “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association.”
8
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
The Company
We are a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) organized under the laws of Switzerland. We were incorporated as a Swiss limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) on June 6, 2011 with our registered office and domicile in Epalinges, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. We converted to a Swiss stock corporation under the laws of Switzerland on October 13, 2015. Our domicile is in Epalinges, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Our registered office and head office is currently located at Biopôle, Route de la Corniche 3B, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland.
As of January 1, 2023, certain amendments to the law governing, among other things, Swiss stock corporations, took effect. Provisions in the articles of association or regulations of companies that do not comply with the new rules continue to be effective until they are amended, but for not longer than two years after January 1, 2023. Our articles of association have not yet been amended to reflect the new provisions of Swiss corporation law.
Unless otherwise noted, the following is a summary of the material provisions of our share capital and our articles of association that are in effect on the date of this prospectus.
Share Capital
As of December 31, 2022, our share capital as registered with the commercial register of the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland (the “Commercial Register”) amounted to 89,041,946 common shares, 80,642,527 of which were outstanding, with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share.
Changes in Our Share Capital During the Last Three Fiscal Years
In this section, share amounts are presented as of the date of the relevant transaction. Since January 1, 2020, our share capital has changed as follows:
| · | In the five-to-four reverse share split of all issued shares effected on April 24, 2020, each of our issued shares was consolidated into 0.8 shares of the same class with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share, and an aggregate of 44 common shares were converted into 6 Class C preferred shares, 12 Class D preferred shares and 26 Class E preferred shares, each with a par value of CHF 0.08; |
| · | On May 15, 2020, our share capital as registered with the Commercial Register on May 15, 2020, was increased by issuing 17,432,500 common shares with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share; |
| · | On September 28, 2020, our share capital as registered with the Commercial Register on September 28, 2020, was increased by issuing 6,000,000 common shares with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share; |
| · | On April 1, 2021, our share capital as registered with the Commercial Register on April 8, 2021, was increased by issuing 1,500,000 common shares with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share; |
| · | On September 5, 2022, we issued 733,568 common shares out of our authorized share capital. In addition, we amended our articles of association to reflect the issuance of 2,390,297 common shares out of our conditional share capital that occurred on August 15, 2022; and |
| · | On November 1, 2022, we issued 7,648,081 common shares out of our authorized share capital. |
Registration Rights
On August 15, 2022, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Deerfield Partners, L.P. and Deerfield Private Design Fund IV, L.P. that provides them with certain registration rights with respect to the common shares issuable to them upon the exercise of their warrants. We have filed a registration
9
statement as required by the registration rights agreement. We are required to keep such registration statement effective until all such common shares have been sold, are eligible to be immediately sold to the public without registration or restriction, are no longer outstanding, are no longer held by persons entitled to registration rights or until the date that is one month following expiry of their warrants.
On August 15, 2022, we entered into a registration rights agreement with OR Opportunistic DL (C), L.P., Owl Rock Opportunistic Master Fund II, L.P., Oaktree LSL Holdings EURRC S.à r.l., Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation, Oaktree AZ Strategic Lending Fund, L.P., Oaktree Strategic Credit Fund, Oaktree Diversified Income Fund, Inc. and Oaktree Loan Acquisition Fund, L.P. that provides them with certain registration rights with respect to the common shares issuable upon the exercise of their warrants and the common shares issued to OR Opportunistic DL (C), L.P. and Owl Rock Opportunistic Master Fund II, L.P. pursuant to a share purchase agreement. We have filed a registration statement as required by the registration rights agreement. We are required to keep such registration statement effective until all such common shares have been sold, are eligible to be immediately sold to the public without registration or restriction, are no longer outstanding, are no longer held by persons entitled to registration rights or the date that is three years from the initial effective date of the registration statement. The registration rights agreement includes certain demand registration rights and piggyback registration rights exercisable if we do not maintain current public information for Rule 144 purposes.
On February 6, 2023, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Oaktree Fund Administration LLC, OCM Strategic Credit Investments S.à r.l., OCM Strategic Credit Investments 2 S.à.r.l., OCM Strategic Credit Investments 3 S.à r.l., Oaktree Gilead Investment Fund AIF (Delaware), L.P., Oaktree Huntington-GCF Investment Fund (Direct Lending AIF), L.P., Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation and Pathway Strategic Credit Fund III, L.P. that provides them with certain registration rights with respect to the common shares received after a default by A.T. Holdings II Sarl and in the event of a foreclosure or other exercise of remedies under their lending arrangements with A.T. Holdings II Sàrl. If requested by such parties, we are required to file a registration statement with respect to such common shares. We are required to keep such registration statement effective until all such common shares have been sold, are no longer outstanding, are no longer held by persons entitled to registration rights or the date that is three years from the initial effective date of the registration statement.
Articles of Association
Ordinary Capital Increase, Capital Range and Conditional Share Capital
Under Swiss law, we may increase our share capital (capital-actions) with a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders (ordinary capital increase) that must be carried out by the board of directors within six months of the respective general meeting in order to become effective. Under our articles of association and Swiss law, in the case of subscription and increase against payment of contributions in cash, a resolution passed by a majority of the shares represented at the general meeting of shareholders is required. In the case of subscription and increase against contributions in kind or to fund acquisitions in kind, when shareholders’ statutory pre-emptive subscription rights or advance subscription rights are limited or withdrawn or where transformation of freely disposable equity into share capital is involved, a resolution passed by two-thirds of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders and the majority of the par value of the shares represented is required.
As of January 1, 2023 companies can no longer adopt, increase or extend authorized share capital (capital-actions autorisé). Instead, companies may adopt a capital range as further explained below. As of the date of this prospectus, our articles of association still provide for authorized share capital (see “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association—Our Authorized Share Capital”).
Furthermore, under the Swiss Code of Obligations (Code des obligations) (the “CO”), our shareholders, by a resolution passed by two-thirds of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders and the majority of the par value of the shares represented, can:
| · | adopt conditional share capital (capital-actions conditionnel) in the aggregate amount of up to 50% of the share capital for the purpose of issuing shares in connection with, among other things, |
10
option and conversion rights granted to shareholders, the creditors of bonds and similar debt instruments, employees, members of the board of directors of the Company or of any group company, or to any third parties; and
| · | may, in the form of capital range (marge de fluctuation du capital), empower our board of directors to increase and/or decrease our share capital by up to 50% of the share capital, by issuing or canceling shares, or by increasing or decreasing the par value of shares, including through the creation of conditional share capital; such capital range is to be utilized by the board of directors within a period determined by the shareholders but not exceeding five years from the date of the shareholder approval. |
Pre-Emptive and Advance Subscription Rights
Pursuant to the CO, shareholders have pre-emptive subscription rights (droits de souscription préférentiels) to subscribe for new issuances of shares. With respect to conditional capital, shareholders have (i) pre-emptive subscription rights for the subscription of option rights and (ii) advance subscription rights (droit de souscription préalable) for the subscription of bonds and similar debt instruments to which option or conversion rights are attached.
A resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders by two-thirds of the shares represented and the majority of the par value of the shares represented may authorize our board of directors to withdraw or limit pre-emptive subscription rights or advance subscription rights in certain circumstances.
If pre-emptive subscription rights are granted, but not exercised, the board of directors may allocate the unexercised pre-emptive subscription rights at its discretion.
Our Authorized Share Capital
Under our articles of association, our board of directors is authorized at any time, including to prevent takeovers and changes in control, until June 9, 2023 to increase our nominal share capital by a maximum aggregate amount of CHF 2,460,268.08 through the issuance of not more than 30,753,351 shares, which would have to be fully paid-in, each with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share.
Increases in partial amounts are permitted. The board of directors has the power to determine the type of contributions, the issue price and the date on which the dividend entitlement starts.
With respect to our authorized share capital, the board of directors is authorized by our articles of association to withdraw or to limit the pre-emptive subscription rights of shareholders, and to allocate them to third parties or to us, in the event that the newly issued shares are issued under the following circumstances:
| · | if the issue price of the new registered shares is determined by reference to the market price; |
| · | for raising of capital (including private placements) in a fast and flexible manner, which would not be possible, or might only be possible with great difficulty or delays or at significantly less favorable conditions, without the exclusion of the statutory pre-emptive subscription rights of the existing shareholders; |
| · | for the acquisition of an enterprise, parts of an enterprise or participations, for the acquisition of products, intellectual property or licenses by or for investment projects of the Company or any of its group companies, or for the financing or refinancing of any of such transactions through a placement of shares; |
| · | for purposes of broadening the shareholder constituency of the Company in certain geographic, financial or investor markets, for purposes of the participation of strategic partners, or in connection with the listing of new shares on domestic or foreign stock exchanges; |
11
| · | for purposes of granting an over-allotment option or an option to purchase additional shares in a placement or sale of shares to the respective initial purchaser(s) or underwriter(s); |
| · | for the participation of members of the board of directors, members of the executive committee, employees, contractors, consultants or other persons performing services for the benefit of the Company or any of its group companies; |
| · | following a shareholder or a group of shareholders acting in concert having accumulated shareholdings in excess of 20% of our share capital registered in the Commercial Register without having submitted to all other shareholders a takeover offer recommended by the board of directors; |
| · | for the defense of an actual, threatened or potential takeover bid, that the board of directors, upon consultation with an independent financial adviser retained by it, has not recommended to the shareholders acceptance on the basis that the board of directors has not found the takeover bid to be financially fair to the shareholders or not to be in the Company’s interest; or |
| · | for other valid grounds in the sense of Article 652b para. 2 of the CO. |
This authorization is exclusively linked to the particular available authorized share capital set out in the respective article. If the period to increase our share capital out of authorized share capital lapses without having been used by the board of directors, the authorization to withdraw or to limit the pre-emptive subscription rights lapses simultaneously with such capital.
Our Conditional Share Capital
Conditional Share Capital for Warrants and Convertible Bonds
Our nominal share capital may be increased, including to prevent takeovers and changes in control, by a maximum aggregate amount of CHF 1,432,776.24 through the issuance of not more than 17,909,703 common shares, which would have to be fully paid-in, each with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share, by the exercise of option and conversion rights granted in connection with warrants, convertible bonds or similar instruments of the Company or one of our subsidiaries. Shareholders will not have pre-emptive subscription rights in such circumstances, but will have advance subscription rights to subscribe for such warrants, convertible bonds or similar instruments. The holders of warrants, convertible bonds or similar instruments are entitled to the new shares upon the occurrence of the applicable conversion feature.
When issuing convertible bonds, warrants or similar instruments, the board of directors is authorized to withdraw or to limit the advance subscription right of shareholders:
| · | for the purpose of financing or refinancing, or the payment for, the acquisition of enterprises, parts of enterprises, participations, intellectual property rights, licenses or investments; |
| · | if the issuance occurs in domestic or international capital markets, including private placements; |
| · | following a shareholder or a group of shareholders acting in concert having accumulated shareholdings in excess of 20% of the share capital registered in the Commercial Register without having submitted to all other shareholders a takeover offer recommended by the board of directors; or |
| · | for the defense of an actual, threatened or potential takeover bid that the board of directors, upon consultation with an independent financial adviser retained by it, has not recommended to the shareholders to accept on the basis that the board of directors has not found the takeover bid to be financially fair to the shareholders or not to be in the Company’s interest. |
To the extent that the advance subscription rights are withdrawn or limited, (i) the convertible bonds, warrants or similar instruments are to be issued at market conditions; (ii) the term to exercise the
12
convertible bonds, warrants or similar instruments may not exceed ten years from the date of issue of the respective instrument and (iii) the conversion, exchange or exercise price of the convertible bonds, warrants or similar instruments has to be set with reference to or be subject to change based upon the valuation of the Company’s equity or market conditions.
Conditional Share Capital for Equity Incentive Plans
Our nominal share capital may, to the exclusion of the pre-emptive subscription rights and advance subscription rights of shareholders, be increased by a maximum aggregate amount of CHF 936,000 through the (direct or indirect) issuance of not more than 11,700,000 common shares, which would have to be fully paid-in, each with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share, by the exercise of options, other rights to receive shares or conversion rights that have been granted to employees, members of the board of directors, contractors or consultants of the Company or of one of our subsidiaries or other persons providing services to the Company or to a subsidiary through one or more equity incentive plans created by the board of directors.
Uncertificated Securities
Our shares are in the form of uncertificated securities (droits-valeurs, within the meaning of Article 973c of the CO). In accordance with Article 973c of the CO, we maintain a non-public register of uncertificated securities (registre des droits-valeurs). We may at any time convert uncertificated securities into share certificates (including global certificates), one kind of certificate into another, or share certificates (including global certificates) into uncertificated securities. Following entry in the share register, a shareholder may at any time request from us a written confirmation in respect of his or her shares. Shareholders are not entitled, however, to request the conversion and/or printing and delivery of share certificates. We may print and deliver certificates for shares at any time.
General Meeting of Shareholders
Ordinary/Extraordinary Meetings, Powers
The general meeting of shareholders is our supreme corporate body. Under Swiss law, an annual general meeting of shareholders must be held annually within six months after the end of a corporation’s financial year. In our case, this generally means on or before June 30. In addition, extraordinary general meetings of shareholders may be held.
A general meeting of shareholders may take place at different places simultaneously if the votes of the participants are immediately transmitted to all meeting venues (multilocal shareholders’ meeting). If the articles of association so permit, a general meeting of shareholders may be held outside Switzerland. The board of directors may allow shareholders that are not present at the meeting venue of the general meeting of shareholders to participate and exercise their rights electronically (“hybrid shareholder meeting”). A general meeting of shareholders without a physical meeting venue but that takes place using electronic means (“virtual shareholder meeting”) may be held, subject to certain legal requirements and if the articles of association so allow. Our articles of association currently do not provide for general meetings of shareholders outside Switzerland or virtual shareholder meetings.
According to our articles of association, the following powers are vested exclusively in the general meeting of shareholders:
| · | adopting and amending the articles of association, including the change of a company’s purpose or domicile; |
| · | electing the members of the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors, the members of the compensation committee, the auditors and the independent proxy; |
13
| · | approving the business report, the annual statutory and consolidated financial statements, and deciding on the allocation of profits as shown on the balance sheet, in particular with regard to dividends; |
| · | approving the aggregate amount of compensation of members of the board of directors and the executive committee; |
| · | discharging the members of the board of directors and the executive committee from liability with respect to their conduct of business; |
| · | dissolving a company with or without liquidation; and |
| · | deciding matters reserved to the general meeting of shareholders by law or the articles of association or submitted to it by the board of directors. |
In addition, the following powers are vested exclusively in the general meeting of shareholders by operation of statutory law: (i) determination of the interim dividend and approval of the requisite interim financial statements and (ii) repayment of the statutory capital reserve (réserve légale).
An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders may be called by a resolution of the board of directors or the general meeting of shareholders or, under certain circumstances, by a company’s auditors, liquidator or the representatives of bondholders, if any. In addition, our articles of association require the board of directors to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders if shareholders representing at least 10% of our share capital request such general meeting of shareholders in writing. The amended Swiss corporation law requires the board of directors to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders if shareholders representing at least 5% of the share capital or of the voting rights so request in writing. Our articles of association do not yet comply with this lower threshold. A request for an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders must set forth the items to be discussed and the proposals to be acted upon. Further, the board of directors must convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and propose financial restructuring measures if, based on our stand-alone annual statutory balance sheet, half of our share capital and statutory reserves are not covered by our assets and a contemplated restructuring measure falls within the competence of the general meeting of shareholders.
Voting and Quorum Requirements
Shareholder resolutions and elections (including elections of members of the board of directors) require the affirmative vote of the majority of shares represented at the general meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise stipulated by law or our articles of association.
Under our articles of association, a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by two-thirds of the votes and the majority of the par value of the shares, each as represented at the meeting, is required for:
| · | amending the Company’s corporate purpose; |
| · | creating shares with preference rights; |
| · | cancelling or amending the transfer restrictions of shares; |
| · | creating authorized or conditional share capital; |
| · | increasing share capital out of equity, against contributions in-kind or for the purpose of acquiring specific assets and granting specific benefits; |
| · | limiting or withdrawing shareholder’s pre-emptive subscription rights; |
14
| · | changing a company’s domicile; |
| · | amending or repealing the voting and recording restrictions, the provision setting a maximum board size or the indemnification provision for the board of directors and the executive committee set forth in our articles of association; |
| · | converting registered shares into bearer shares; |
| · | removing the chairman or any member of the board of directors before the end of his or her term of office; and |
| · | dissolving or liquidating the Company. |
In addition, a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by two-thirds of the votes and the majority of the par value of the shares, each as represented at the meeting is, by operation of statutory law required for: (i) a consolidation of shares (reverse split); (ii) a capital increase through contribution by set-off; (iii) the introduction of a capital range (marge de fluctuation du capital); (iv) a conversion of participation certificates into shares; (v) a change of currency of the share capital; (vi) the introduction of a casting vote of the chairperson at the general meeting of shareholders; (vii) a provision in the articles of association regarding the holding of the general meeting of shareholders outside Switzerland; (viii) a delisting of the equity securities; and (ix) the introduction of an arbitration clause in the articles of association.
The same voting requirements apply to resolutions regarding transactions among corporations based on Switzerland’s Federal Act on Mergers, Demergers, Transformations and the Transfer of Assets of 2003, as amended (the “Swiss Merger Act”). See “—Articles of Association—Compulsory Acquisitions; Appraisal Rights.”
In accordance with Swiss law and generally accepted business practices, our articles of association do not provide quorum requirements generally applicable to general meetings of shareholders. To this extent, our practice varies from NYSE listing standards, which require an issuer to provide in its bylaws for a generally applicable quorum, and that such quorum may not be less than one-third of the outstanding voting shares.
Notice
General meetings of shareholders must be convened by the board of directors at least 20 days before the date of the meeting. The general meeting of shareholders is convened by way of a notice appearing in our official publication medium, currently the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. Registered shareholders may also be informed by ordinary mail or e-mail. The notice of a general meeting of shareholders must state the date, the starting time, the form and location of the meeting, the items on the agenda, the motions to the shareholders including a short explanation for these motions, the name and address of the independent representative and, in case of elections, the names of the nominated candidates. A resolution on a matter which is not on the agenda may not be passed at a general meeting of shareholders, except for motions to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders or to initiate a special investigation, on which the general meeting of shareholders may vote at any time. No previous notification is required for motions concerning items included in the agenda or for debates that do not result in a vote.
All owners or representatives of our shares may, if no objection is raised, hold a general meeting of shareholders without complying with the formal requirements for convening general meetings of shareholders (a universal meeting). This universal meeting of shareholders may discuss and pass binding resolutions on all matters within the purview of the general meeting of shareholders, provided that the owners or representatives of all the shares are present at the meeting.
Agenda Requests
15
Pursuant to our articles of association, one or more shareholders whose combined shareholdings represent the lower of (i) one tenth of our share capital and (ii) an aggregate par value of at least CHF 1,000,000 may request that an item be included in the agenda for a general meeting of shareholders. The amended Swiss corporation law gives one or more shareholders whose combined shareholdings represent 0.5% of our voting rights or of our share capital the right to request that an item including a proposal, or a proposal with respect to an existing agenda item, be included in the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders. Our articles of association do not yet comply with this lower threshold.
To be timely, the shareholder’s request must be received by us generally at least 45 calendar days in advance of the meeting. The request must be made in writing and contain, for each of the agenda items, the following information:
| · | a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the general meeting of shareholders and the reasons for conducting such business at the general meeting of shareholders; |
| · | the motions regarding the agenda item; |
| · | the name and address, as they appear in the share register, of the shareholder proposing such business; |
| · | the number of shares which are beneficially owned by such shareholder (including documentary support of such beneficial ownership); |
| · | the dates upon which the shareholder acquired such shares; |
| · | any material interest of the proposing shareholder in the proposed business; |
| · | a statement in support of the matter; and |
| · | all other information required under the applicable laws and stock exchange rules. |
In addition, if the shareholder intends to solicit proxies from the shareholders of a company, such shareholder shall notify the company of this intent in accordance with SEC Rule 14a-4 and/or Rule 14a-8.
Our business report, the compensation report and the auditor’s report must be made available for inspection by the shareholders at our registered office no later than 20 days prior to the general meeting of shareholders. Shareholders of record may be notified of this in writing.
Voting Rights
Each of our common shares entitles a holder to one vote. The common shares are not divisible. The right to vote and the other rights of share ownership may only be exercised by shareholders (including any nominees) or usufructuaries who are entered in the share register at a cut-off date determined by the board of directors. Those entitled to vote in the general meeting of shareholders may be represented by the independent proxy holder (annually elected by the general meeting of shareholders), by its legal representative or by another registered shareholder with written authorization to act as proxy. The chairman has the power to decide whether to recognize a power of attorney.
Our articles of association contain provisions that prevent investors from acquiring voting rights exceeding 15% of our issued share capital. Specifically, if an individual or legal entity acquires common shares and, as a result, directly or indirectly, has voting rights with respect to more than 15% of the registered share capital recorded in the Commercial Register, the registered shares exceeding the limit of 15% shall be entered in the share register as shares without voting rights (limitation à l’inscription). This restriction applies equally to parties acting in concert and to shares held or acquired via a nominee, including via Cede & Co., New York (or any successor), as the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), New York, acting in its capacity as clearing nominee. Specifically, if shares are being held by a nominee
16
for third-party beneficiaries, which control (alone or together with third parties) voting rights with respect to more than 15% of the share capital recorded in the Commercial Register, our articles of association provide that the board of directors may cancel the registration of the shares with voting rights held by such nominee in excess of the limit of 15%. Furthermore, our articles of association contain provisions that allow the board of directors to make the registration with voting rights of shares held by a nominee subject to conditions, limitations and reporting requirements or to impose or adjust such conditions, limitations and requirements once registered. However, any shareholders who held more than 15% prior to our initial public offering remain registered with voting rights for such shares. Furthermore, the board of directors may in special cases approve exceptions to these restrictions.
Dividends and Other Distributions
Our board of directors may propose to shareholders that a dividend or interim dividend or other distribution be paid but cannot itself authorize the distribution. Dividend and interim dividend payments require a resolution passed by a majority of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders. In addition, our auditors must confirm that the dividend proposal of our board of directors conforms to Swiss statutory law and our articles of association.
Under Swiss law, we may pay dividends only if we have sufficient distributable profits from the previous business year (bénéfice de l’exercice) or brought forward from the previous business years (report des bénéfices), or if we have distributable capital reserves (réserve légale issue du capital), each as evidenced by audited stand-alone statutory annual or interim financial statements prepared pursuant to Swiss law, and after allocations to reserves required by Swiss law and by the articles of association have been deducted.
Under the CO at least 5% of our annual profit must be retained as statutory profit reserve (réserve légale). If there is a loss carried forward, such loss must be eliminated before allocation to the statutory profit reserve. The statutory profit reserve shall be accumulated until it reaches, together with the statutory capital reserve, 50% of our share capital recorded in the Commercial Register. In addition, we have to allocate, among other things, the net proceeds of share issuances to the statutory capital reserve. The CO permits us to accrue additional reserves. Further, a purchase of our own shares (whether by us or a subsidiary) reduces the distributable reserves in an amount corresponding to the purchase price of such own shares. Finally, the CO under certain circumstances requires the creation of revaluation reserves which are not distributable.
Distributions out of issued share capital (i.e., the aggregate par value of our issued shares) are not allowed and may be made only by way of an ordinary capital reduction or within a capital range that (also) allows for a capital reduction (see “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association—Articles of Association—Ordinary Capital Increase, Capital Range and Conditional Share Capital”). An ordinary capital reduction requires a resolution passed by a majority of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders. The board of directors must publish a call to creditors in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce in which creditors are advised that they may request, subject to certain conditions, security for their claims within 30 days of the publication of the creditor call. A licensed audit expert must then confirm, based on the results of the call to creditors, that the claims of the creditors remain fully covered despite the reduction in our share capital recorded in the Commercial Register. If all requirements for an ordinary capital reduction have been met, the board of directors has to amend the articles of association in a public deed. Our share capital may be reduced below CHF 100,000 only if and to the extent that at the same time the statutory minimum share capital of CHF 100,000 is reestablished by sufficient new fully paid-up capital. An ordinary capital reduction must be completed within six months after the resolution of the general meeting of shareholders.
Our board of directors determines the date on which the dividend entitlement starts. Dividends are usually due and payable shortly after the shareholders have passed the resolution approving the payment, but shareholders may also resolve at the annual general meeting of shareholders to pay dividends in quarterly or other installments.
Transfer of Shares
17
Shares in uncertificated form (droits-valeurs) may only be transferred by way of assignment. Shares or the beneficial interest in shares, as applicable, credited in a securities account may only be transferred when a credit of the relevant intermediated securities to the acquirer’s securities account is made in accordance with applicable rules. Our articles of association provide that in the case of securities held with an intermediary such as a registrar, transfer agent, trust corporation, bank or similar entity, any transfer, grant of a security interest or usufructuary right in such intermediated securities and the appurtenant rights associated therewith requires the cooperation of the intermediary in order for such transfer, grant of a security interest or usufructuary right to be valid against us.
Voting rights may be exercised only after a shareholder has been entered in the share register (registre des actions) with his or her name and address (in the case of legal entities, the registered office) as a shareholder with voting rights. For a discussion of the restrictions applicable to the control and exercise of voting rights, see “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association—Articles of Association—Voting Rights.”
Inspection of Books and Records
Under the CO, a shareholder has a right to inspect the share register with respect to his or her own shares and otherwise to the extent necessary to exercise his or her shareholder rights. No other person has a right to inspect the share register. Shareholders holding in the aggregate at least 5% of our nominal share capital or of our voting rights have the right to inspect our books and correspondence, subject to the safeguarding of our business secrets and other legitimate interests. Our board of directors is required to decide on an inspection request within four months after receipt of such request. Denial of the request will need to be justified in writing. If an inspection request is denied by the board of directors, shareholders may request the order of an inspection by the court within thirty days. See “Comparison of Swiss Law and Delaware Law—Inspection of books and records.”
Special Investigation
If a shareholder has exercised its information or inspection rights, such shareholder may propose to the general meeting of shareholders that specific facts be examined by a special examiner in a special investigation. If the general meeting of shareholders approves the proposal, we or any shareholder may, within 30 calendar days after the general meeting of shareholders, request a court at our registered office (currently Epalinges, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland) to appoint a special examiner. If the general meeting of shareholders rejects the request, one or more shareholders representing at least 5% of our share capital or voting rights may request that the court appoint a special examiner. The court will issue such an order if the petitioners can demonstrate that members of the board of directors or our executive committee infringed the law or our articles of association and that such violation is suitable to cause a damage to the Company or the shareholders. The costs of the investigation would generally be allocated to us and only in exceptional cases to the petitioners.
Compulsory Acquisitions; Appraisal Rights
Business combinations and other transactions that are governed by the Swiss Merger Act (i.e., mergers, demergers, transformations and certain asset transfers) are binding on all shareholders. A statutory merger or demerger requires approval of two-thirds of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders and the majority of the par value of the shares represented.
If a transaction under the Swiss Merger Act receives all of the necessary consents, all shareholders are compelled to participate in such transaction.
Swiss corporations may be acquired by an acquirer through the direct acquisition of the shares of the Swiss corporation. The Swiss Merger Act provides for the possibility of a so-called “cash-out” or “squeeze-out” merger with the approval of holders of 90% of the issued shares. In these limited circumstances, minority shareholders of the corporation being acquired may be compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring corporation (for instance, through cash or securities of a parent corporation of the acquiring corporation or of another corporation). For business combinations effected in
18
the form of a statutory merger or demerger and subject to Swiss law, the Swiss Merger Act provides that if equity rights have not been adequately preserved or compensation payments in the transaction are unreasonable, a shareholder may request the competent court to determine a reasonable amount of compensation.
In addition, under Swiss law, the sale of “all or substantially all of our assets” by us may require the approval of two-thirds of the number of shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders and the majority of the par value of the shares represented. Whether a shareholder resolution is required depends on the particular transaction, including whether the following test is satisfied:
| · | a core part of our business is sold without which it is economically impracticable or unreasonable to continue to operate the remaining business; |
| · | our assets, after the divestment, are not invested in accordance with our corporate purpose as set forth in the articles of association; and |
| · | the proceeds of the divestment are not earmarked for reinvestment in accordance with our corporate purpose but, instead, are intended for distribution to our shareholders or for financial investments unrelated to our corporate purpose. |
A shareholder of a Swiss corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights. As a result, such shareholder may, in addition to the consideration (be it in shares or in cash) receive an additional amount to ensure that the shareholder receives the fair value of the shares held by the shareholder. Following a statutory merger or demerger, pursuant to the Swiss Merger Act, shareholders can file an appraisal action against the surviving company. If the consideration is deemed inadequate, the court will determine an adequate compensation payment.
Board of Directors
Our articles of association provide that the board of directors shall consist of at least three and not more than 12 members.
The members of the board of directors and the chairman are elected annually by the general meeting of shareholders for a period until the completion of the subsequent annual general meeting of shareholders and are eligible for re-election. Each member of the board of directors must be elected individually.
Powers
According to our articles of association, the board of directors has the following non-delegable and inalienable powers and duties:
| · | the ultimate direction of the business of the Company and issuing of the relevant directives; |
| · | laying down the organization of the Company; |
| · | formulating accounting procedures, financial controls and financial planning; |
| · | nominating and removing persons entrusted with the management and representation of the Company and regulating the power to sign for the Company; |
| · | the ultimate supervision of those persons entrusted with management of the Company, with particular regard to adherence to law, our articles of association, and regulations and directives of the Company; |
| · | issuing the business report and the compensation report, and preparing for the general meeting of shareholders and carrying out its resolutions; and |
19
| · | informing the court in case of over-indebtedness. |
By operation of statutory law, the board of directors has the additional non-delegable and inalienable power and duty to submit an application for debt-restructuring moratorium if needed.
The board of directors may, while retaining such non-delegable and inalienable powers and duties, delegate some of its powers, in particular direct management, to a single or to several of its members, committees or to third parties (such as executive officers) who need be neither members of the board of directors nor shareholders. Pursuant to Swiss law and our articles of association, details of the delegation and other procedural rules such as quorum requirements have been set in the organizational rules established by the board of directors.
Indemnification of Executive Officers and Directors
Subject to Swiss law, our articles of association provide for indemnification of the existing and former members of the board of directors and the executive committee and their heirs, executors and administrators, against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties in such capacity, and permits us to advance the expenses of defending any act, suit or proceeding to our directors and executive officers to the extent not included in insurance coverage or advanced by third parties.
In addition, under general principles of Swiss employment law, an employer may be required to indemnify an employee against losses and expenses incurred by such employee in the proper execution of his or her duties under the employment agreement with the employer. See “Comparison of Swiss Law and Delaware Law—Indemnification of directors and executive officers and limitation of liability.”
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of the members of our board of directors and executive officers.
Conflicts of Interest, Management Transactions
The members of the board of directors and the executive committee are required to immediately and fully inform the board of directors about conflicts of interests concerning them. The board of directors is furthermore required to take measures in order to protect the interests of the company. More generally, the CO requires our directors and executive officers to safeguard the Company’s interests and imposes a duty of loyalty and duty of care on our directors and executive officers. This rule is generally understood to disqualify directors and executive officers from participation in decisions that directly affect them. Our directors and executive officers are personally liable to us for breaches of these obligations. In addition, Swiss law contains provisions under which directors and all persons engaged in the Company’s management are liable to the Company, each shareholder and the Company’s creditors for damages caused by an intentional or negligent violation of their duties. Furthermore, Swiss law contains a provision under which payments made to any of the Company’s shareholders or directors or any person related to any such shareholder or director, other than payments made at arm’s length, must be repaid to the Company if such shareholder or director acted in bad faith.
Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other policies that cover a broad range of matters, including the handling of conflicts of interest.
Principles of the Compensation of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee
Pursuant to Swiss law, the aggregate amount of compensation of the board of directors and the persons whom the board of directors has, fully or partially, entrusted with the management (which we refer to as our “executive committee”) of the Company has to be submitted to our shareholders for approval each year. Our executive committee currently comprises the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Executive Vice President, the Chief Scientific Officer and the Chief Legal Officer.
20
The board of directors must issue, on an annual basis, a written compensation report that must be reviewed by our auditors. The compensation report must disclose, among other things, all compensation granted by the Company, directly or indirectly, to current members of the board of directors and the executive committee and, to the extent related to their former role within the Company or not on customary market terms, to former members of the board of directors and former executive officers.
The disclosure concerning compensation, loans and other forms of indebtedness must include the aggregate amount for the board of directors and the executive committee, respectively, as well as the particular amount for each member of the board of directors and for the highest paid executive officer, specifying the name and function of each of these persons.
We are prohibited from granting certain forms of compensation to members of our board of directors and executive committee, such as:
| · | severance payments (compensation due until the termination of a contractual relationship does not qualify as severance payment); |
| · | advance compensation; |
| · | incentive fees for the acquisition or transfer of companies, or parts thereof, by the Company or by companies being, directly or indirectly, controlled by us; |
| · | loans, other forms of indebtedness, pension benefits not based on occupational pension schemes and performance-based compensation not provided for in the articles of association; and |
| · | equity-based compensation not provided for in the articles of association. |
Compensation to members of the board of directors and the executive committee for activities in entities that are, directly or indirectly, controlled by the Company is prohibited if (i) the compensation would be prohibited if it were paid directly by the Company, (ii) the articles of association do not provide for it, or (iii) the compensation has not been approved by the general meeting of shareholders.
In each year, the general meeting of shareholders has to vote on the proposals of the board of directors with respect to:
| · | the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the board of directors for the term of office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders; and |
| · | the maximum aggregate amount of fixed compensation of the executive committee for the following financial year; and |
| · | the maximum aggregate amount of variable compensation of the executive committee for the current financial year. |
The board of directors may submit for approval at the general meeting of shareholders deviating or additional proposals relating to the same or different periods.
If, at the general meeting of shareholders, the shareholders do not approve a compensation proposal of the board of directors, the board of directors must prepare a new proposal, taking into account all relevant factors, and submit the new proposal for approval by the same general meeting of shareholders, at a subsequent extraordinary general meeting of shareholders or the next annual general meeting of shareholders.
In addition to fixed compensation, members of the board of directors and the executive committee may be paid variable compensation, depending on the achievement of certain performance criteria. The performance criteria may include individual targets, targets of the Company or parts thereof and targets in relation to the market, other companies or comparable benchmarks, taking into account the position and
21
level of responsibility of the recipient of the variable compensation. The board of directors or, where delegated to it, the compensation committee shall determine the relative weight of the performance criteria and the respective target values.
Compensation may be paid or granted in the form of cash, shares, financial instruments, in kind, or in the form of other types of benefits. The board of directors or, where delegated to it, the compensation committee shall determine grant, vesting, exercise and forfeiture conditions.
Borrowing Powers
Neither Swiss law nor our articles of association restricts our power to borrow and raise funds. The decision to borrow funds is made by or under the direction of our board of directors, and no approval by the shareholders is required in relation to any such borrowing.
Repurchases of Shares and Purchases of Own Shares
The CO limits our ability to repurchase and hold our own shares. We and our subsidiaries may repurchase shares only to the extent that (i) we have freely distributable reserves in the amount of the purchase price; and (ii) the aggregate par value of all shares held by us does not exceed 10% of our share capital. Pursuant to Swiss law, where shares are acquired in connection with a transfer restriction set out in the articles of association, the foregoing upper limit is 20%. If we own shares that exceed the threshold of 10% of our share capital, the excess must be sold or cancelled by means of a capital reduction within two years.
Shares held by us or our subsidiaries are not entitled to vote at the general meeting of shareholders but are entitled to the economic benefits applicable to the shares generally, including dividends and pre-emptive subscription rights in the case of share capital increases.
In addition, selective share repurchases are only permitted under certain circumstances. Within these limitations, as is customary for Swiss corporations, we may, subject to applicable law, purchase and sell our own shares from time to time in order to meet imbalances of supply and demand, to provide liquidity and to even out variances in the market price of shares.
Notification and Disclosure of Substantial Share Interests
The disclosure obligations generally applicable to shareholders of Swiss corporations under the Federal Act on Financial Market Infrastructures and Market Conduct in Securities and Derivatives Trading, or the Financial Market Infrastructure Act (the “FMIA”), do not apply to us since our shares are not listed on a Swiss exchange.
Mandatory Bid Rules
The obligation of any person or group of persons that acquires more than one-third of a company’s voting rights to submit a cash offer for all the outstanding listed equity securities of the relevant company at a minimum price pursuant to the FMIA does not apply to us since our shares are not listed on a Swiss exchange.
Stock Exchange Listing
Our common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ADCT.”
The Depository Trust Company
Each person owning a beneficial interest in common shares held through DTC must rely on the procedures thereof and on institutions that have accounts therewith to exercise any rights of a holder of the shares.
Transfer Agent and Registrar of Shares
22
Our share register is kept by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., which acts as transfer agent and registrar. The share register reflects only record owners of our shares. Swiss law does not recognize fractional share interests.
Comparison of Swiss Law and Delaware Law
The Swiss laws applicable to Swiss corporations and their shareholders differ from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. The following table summarizes significant differences in shareholder rights pursuant to the provisions of the CO, by which our Company is governed (but see “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association—The Company” regarding the two-year transition period that currently applies), and the Delaware General Corporation Law applicable to companies incorporated in Delaware and their shareholders. Please note that this is only a general summary of certain provisions applicable to companies in Delaware. Certain Delaware companies may be permitted to exclude certain of the provisions summarized below in their charter documents.
| DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW | SWISS CORPORATE LAW |
| Mergers and similar arrangements | |
| Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, with certain exceptions, a merger, consolidation, sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation must be approved by the board of directors and a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. A shareholder of a Delaware corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights pursuant to which such shareholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair value of the shares held by such shareholder (as determined by a court) in lieu of the consideration such shareholder would otherwise receive in the transaction. The Delaware General Corporation Law also provides that a parent corporation, by resolution of its board of directors, may merge with any subsidiary, of which it owns at least 90.0% of each class of capital stock without a vote by the shareholders of such subsidiary. Upon any such merger, dissenting shareholders of the subsidiary would have appraisal rights. | Under Swiss law, with certain exceptions, a merger or a demerger of the corporation or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation must be approved by two-thirds of the voting rights represented at the respective general meeting of shareholders as well as the majority of the par value of shares represented at such general meeting of shareholders. A shareholder of a Swiss corporation participating in a statutory merger or demerger pursuant to the Swiss Merger Act (Loi sur la fusion) can file a lawsuit against the surviving company. If the consideration is deemed “inadequate,” such shareholder may, in addition to the consideration (be it in shares or in cash) receive an additional amount to ensure that such shareholder receives the fair value of the shares held by such shareholder. Swiss law also provides that if the merger agreement provides only for a compensation payment, at least 90% of all members in the transferring legal entity who are entitled to vote shall approve the merger agreement. |
| Shareholders’ suits | |
| Class actions and derivative actions generally are available to shareholders of a Delaware corporation for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and actions not taken in accordance with applicable law. In such actions, the court has discretion to permit the winning party to recover attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such action. | Class actions and derivative actions as such are not available under Swiss law. Nevertheless, certain actions may have a similar effect. A shareholder is entitled to bring suit against directors, officers or liquidators for breach of their duties and claim the payment of the company’s losses or damages to the corporation and, in some cases, to the individual shareholder. Likewise, an appraisal lawsuit won by a shareholder may indirectly compensate all shareholders. In addition, to the extent that U.S. laws and regulations provide a basis for liability and U.S. courts have jurisdiction, |
23
| a class action may be available. | |
| | Under Swiss law, the winning party is generally entitled to recover a limited amount of attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such action. The court has discretion to permit the shareholder who lost the lawsuit to recover attorneys’ fees incurred to the extent that he or she acted in good faith. |
| Shareholder vote on board and management compensation | |
| Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the board of directors has the authority to fix the compensation of directors, unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. | Pursuant to Swiss law, the general meeting of shareholders has the non-transferable right, amongst others, to vote separately and bindingly on the aggregate amount of compensation of the members of the board of directors, of the executive committee and of the advisory boards. |
| Annual vote on board renewal | |
|
Unless directors are elected by written consent in lieu of an annual meeting, directors are elected in an annual meeting of shareholders on a date and at a time designated by or in the manner provided in the bylaws. Re-election is possible.
Classified boards are permitted. |
The general meeting of shareholders elects the members of the board of directors, the chairperson of the board of directors and the members of the compensation committee individually and annually for a term of office until the end of the following general meeting of shareholders. Re-election is possible. |
| Indemnification of directors and executive officers and limitation of liability | |
|
The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors and officers (but not other controlling persons) of the corporation for monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty as a director, except no provision in the certificate of incorporation may eliminate or limit liability of:
· a director or officer for any breach the duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders;
· a director or officer for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
· a director for statutory liability for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful share purchase or redemption;
· a director or officer for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit; or
· an officer in any action by or in right of the corporation. |
Under Swiss corporate law, an indemnification by the corporation of a director or member of the executive committee in relation to potential personal liability is not effective to the extent the director or member of the executive committee intentionally or negligently violated his or her corporate duties towards the corporation (certain views advocate that at least a grossly negligent violation is required to exclude the indemnification). Furthermore, the general meeting of shareholders may discharge (release) the directors and members of the executive committee from liability for their conduct to the extent the respective facts are known to shareholders. Such discharge is effective only with respect to claims of the company and of those shareholders who approved the discharge or who have since acquired their shares in full knowledge of the discharge. Most violations of corporate law are regarded as violations of duties towards the corporation rather than towards the shareholders. In addition, indemnification of other controlling persons is not permitted under Swiss corporate law, including shareholders of the corporation.
The articles of association of a Swiss corporation may also set forth that the corporation shall
|
24
| A Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding, other than an action by or on behalf of the corporation, because the person is or was a director or officer, against liability incurred in connection with the proceeding if the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation; and the director or officer, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. |
indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by the law, the directors and executive managers out of assets of the corporation against threatened, pending or completed actions.
Also, a corporation may enter into and pay for directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, which may cover negligent acts as well.
|
|
Unless ordered by a court, any foregoing indemnification is subject to a determination that the director or officer has met the applicable standard of conduct:
· by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to the proceeding, even though less than a quorum;
· by a committee of directors designated by a majority vote of the eligible directors, even though less than a quorum;
· by independent legal counsel in a written opinion if there are no eligible directors, or if the eligible directors so direct; or
· by the shareholders.
Moreover, a Delaware corporation may not indemnify a director or officer in connection with any proceeding in which the director or officer has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for those expenses which the court deems proper. |
|
| Directors’ fiduciary duties | |
|
A director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components:
· the duty of care; and
· the duty of loyalty.
The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself or herself
|
The board of directors of a Swiss corporation manages the business of the corporation, unless responsibility for such management has been duly delegated to the executive committee based on organizational rules. However, there are several non-transferable duties of the board of directors:
· the overall management of the corporation and the issuing of all necessary directives;
· determination of the corporation’s organization;
|
25
|
of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction.
The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties.
Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation. |
· the organization of the accounting, financialcontrol and financial planning systems as required for management of the corporation;
· the appointment and dismissal of persons entrusted with managing and representing the corporation;
· overall supervision of the persons entrusted with managing the corporation, in particular with regard to compliance with the law, articles of association, operational regulations and directives;
· compilation of the annual report, preparation for the general meeting of the shareholders, the compensation report and implementation of its resolutions; and
· the filing an application for a debt restructuring moratorium and notification of the court in the event that the company is over-indebted.
|
|
The members of the board of directors must perform their duties with all due diligence and safeguard the interests of the corporation in good faith. They must afford the shareholders equal treatment in equal circumstances.
The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent director would exercise under like circumstances.
The members of the board of directors and the executive committee are required to immediately and fully inform the board of directors about conflicts of interests concerning them. The board of directors is furthermore required to take measures in order to protect the interests of the company.
The duty of loyalty requires that a director safeguard the interests of the corporation and requires that directors act in the interest of the corporation and, if necessary, put aside their own interests. If there is a risk of a conflict of interest, the board of directors must take appropriate measures to ensure that the interests of the company are duly taken into account.
The burden of proof for a violation of these duties is with the corporation or with the shareholder bringing a suit against the director.
The Swiss Federal Supreme Court has established |
26
| a doctrine that restricts its review of a business decision if the decision has been taken following proper preparation, on an informed basis and without conflicts of interest. | |
| Shareholder action by written consent | |
| A Delaware corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent. | Shareholders of a Swiss corporation may exercise their voting rights in a general meeting of shareholders. Shareholders can only act by written consents if no shareholder requests a general meeting of shareholders. The articles of association must allow for (independent) proxies to be present at a general meeting of shareholders. The instruction of such (independent) proxies may occur in writing or electronically. |
| Shareholder proposals | |
| A shareholder of a Delaware corporation has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings. |
At any general meeting of shareholders any shareholder may put proposals to the meeting if the proposal is part of an agenda item. No resolution may be taken on proposals relating to the agenda items that were not duly notified. Unless the articles of association provide for a lower threshold or for additional shareholders’ rights, and subject to the two-year transition period described above (see “Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association—The Company”):
· shareholders together representing at least 5% of the share capital or voting rights may demand that a general meeting of shareholders be called for specific agenda items and specific proposals; and
· shareholders together representing shares with a par value of at least 0.5% of the share capital or the voting rights may demand that an agenda item including a specific proposal, or a proposal with respect to an existing agenda item, be put on the agenda for a scheduled general meeting of shareholders, provided such request is made with appropriate lead time.
Any shareholder can propose candidates for election as directors or make other proposals within the scope of an agenda item without prior written notice. |
| In addition, any shareholder is entitled, at a general meeting of shareholders and without advance notice, to (i) request information from the board of directors on the affairs of the company (note, however, that the right to obtain such information is limited), (ii) request information from the auditors | |
27
| on the methods and results of their audit, (iii) request that the general meeting of shareholders resolve to convene an extraordinary general meeting, or (iv) request that the general meeting of shareholders resolve to appoint an examiner to carry out a special examination (“examen spécial”). | |
| Cumulative voting | |
| Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides for it. | Cumulative voting is not permitted under Swiss corporate law. Pursuant to Swiss law, shareholders can vote for each proposed candidate, but they are not allowed to cumulate their votes for single candidates. An annual individual election of (i) all members of the board of directors, (ii) the chairperson of the board of directors, (iii) the members of the compensation committee, (iv) the election of the independent proxy for a term of office of one year (i.e., until the following annual general meeting of shareholders), as well as the vote on the aggregate amount of compensation of the members of the board of directors, of the executive committee and of the members of any advisory board, is mandatory for listed companies. Re-election is permitted. |
| Removal of directors | |
| A Delaware corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. | A Swiss corporation may remove, with or without cause, any director at any time with a resolution passed by a majority of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders. The articles of association may require the approval by a supermajority of the shares represented at a meeting for the removal of a director. |
| Transactions with interested shareholders | |
| The Delaware General Corporation Law generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or group who or which owns or owned 15.0% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares within the past three years. | No such rule applies to a Swiss corporation. |
| Dissolution; Winding up | |
| Unless the board of directors of a Delaware corporation approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100.0% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. | A dissolution of a Swiss corporation requires the approval by two-thirds of the voting rights represented at the respective general meeting of shareholders as well as the majority of the par value of shares represented at such general meeting of shareholders. The articles of association may increase the voting thresholds required for |
28
| Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. | such a resolution. |
| Variation of rights of shares | |
| A Delaware corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. |
The general meeting of shareholders of a Swiss corporation may resolve that preference shares be issued or that existing shares be converted into preference shares with a resolution passed by a majority of the shares represented at the general meeting of shareholders. Where a company has issued preference shares, further preference shares conferring preferential rights over the existing preference shares may be issued only with the consent of both a special meeting of the adversely affected holders of the existing preference shares and of a general meeting of all shareholders, unless otherwise provided in the articles of association.
Shares with preferential voting rights are not regarded as preference shares for these purposes. |
| Amendment of governing documents | |
| A Delaware corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. |
The articles of association of a Swiss corporation may be amended with a resolution passed by a majority of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided in the articles of association.
There are a number of resolutions, such as an amendment of the stated purpose of the corporation, the introduction of a capital range and conditional capital and the introduction of shares with preferential voting rights that require the approval by two-thirds of the votes and a majority of the par value of the shares represented at such general meeting of shareholders. The articles of association may increase these voting thresholds. |
| Inspection of books and records | |
| Shareholders of a Delaware corporation, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose, and to obtain copies of list(s) of shareholders and other books and records of the corporation and its subsidiaries, if any, to the extent the books and records of such subsidiaries are available to the corporation. |
Shareholders of a Swiss corporation holding in the aggregate at least 5% of the nominal share capital or voting rights have the right to inspect books and records, subject to the safeguarding of the company’s business secrets and other interests warranting protection. A shareholder is only entitled to receive information to the extent required to exercise his or her rights as a shareholder. The board of directors has to decide on an inspection request within four months after receipt of such request. Denial of the request will need to be justified in writing. If the board of directors denies |
29
|
an inspection request, shareholders may request the order of an inspection by the court within thirty days.
A shareholder’s right to inspect the share register is limited to the right to inspect his or her own entry in the share register. | |
| Payment of dividends | |
| The board of directors may approve a dividend without shareholder approval. Subject to any restrictions contained in its certificate of incorporation, the board may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock either: | Dividend (including interim dividend) payments are subject to the approval of the general meeting of shareholders. The board of directors may propose to shareholders that a dividend shall be paid but cannot itself authorize the distribution. |
|
· out of its surplus, or
· in case there is no such surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year.
Shareholder approval is required to authorize capital stock in excess of that provided in the charter. Directors may issue authorized shares without shareholder approval.
|
Payments out of a corporation’s share capital (in other words, the aggregate par value of the corporation’s shares) in the form of dividends are not allowed and may be made only by way of a share capital reduction. Dividends may be paid only from the profits of the previous or current business year or brought forward from previous business years or if the corporation has distributable reserves, each as evidenced by the corporation’s audited stand-alone statutory balance sheet prepared pursuant to Swiss law and after allocations to reserves required by Swiss law and the articles of association have been deducted. |
| Creation and issuance of new shares | |
| All creation of shares require the board of directors to adopt a resolution or resolutions, pursuant to authority expressly vested in the board of directors by the provisions of the company’s certificate of incorporation. | All creation of shares require a shareholders’ resolution. The creation of a capital range or conditional share capital requires at least two-thirds of the voting rights represented at the general meeting of shareholders and a majority of the par value of shares represented at such meeting. The board of directors may issue or cancel shares out of the capital range during a period of up to five years by a maximum amount of 50% of the current share capital. Shares are created and issued out of conditional share capital through the exercise of options or of conversion rights that the board of directors may grant to shareholders, creditors of bonds or similar debt instruments, employees, directors of the company or another group company or third parties. |
30
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities, which may be secured or unsecured and may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into other securities, including our common shares. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and a designated trustee. The terms of each series of debt securities being offered, including the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, and the material terms of the indenture will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth, to the extent required, the following terms of the debt securities in respect of which the prospectus supplement is delivered:
| · | the title of the series; |
| · | the aggregate principal amount; |
| · | the issue price or prices, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| · | any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
| · | the date or dates on which principal is payable; |
| · | the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates; |
| · | the date or dates on which interest, if any, will be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable; |
| · | the place or places where principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, is payable; |
| · | the terms and conditions upon which we may, or the holders may require us to, redeem or repurchase the debt securities; |
| · | the denominations in which such debt securities may be issuable, if other than denomination of $1,000 or any integral multiple of that number; |
| · | whether the debt securities are to be issuable in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities; |
| · | the portion of principal amount that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date if other than the principal amount of the debt securities; |
| · | the currency of denomination; |
| · | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, will be made; |
| · | if payments of principal and, if applicable, premium or interest, on the debt securities are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than the currency of denominations, the manner in which exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined; |
| · | if amounts of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies, or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index, or financial index, then the manner in which such amounts will be determined; |
31
| · | the provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for such debt securities; |
| · | any events of default; |
| · | the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion into or exchange for common shares; |
| · | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents, or other agents; and |
| · | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to other indebtedness of our company. |
32
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities. The warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants being offered and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth, to the extent required, the following terms of the warrants in respect of which the prospectus supplement is delivered:
| · | the title of such warrants; |
| · | the aggregate number of such warrants; |
| · | the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued; |
| · | the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable; |
| · | the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; |
| · | the price at which and the currency or currencies in which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased; |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| · | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security; |
| · | if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| · | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations; and |
| · | any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants. |
33
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
We may issue subscription rights to purchase our securities. The subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other securities, may be attached to, or separate from, such securities and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any unsubscribed securities after such offering. The terms of any subscription rights being offered will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities. The warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants being offered and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth, to the extent required, the following terms of the subscription rights in respect of which the prospectus supplement is delivered:
| · | the exercise price; |
| · | the aggregate number of rights to be issued; |
| · | the type and number of securities purchasable upon exercise of each right; |
| · | the procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of the rights; |
| · | the date upon which the exercise of rights will commence; |
| · | the record date, if any, to determine who is entitled to the rights; |
| · | the expiration date; |
| · | the extent to which the rights are transferable; |
| · | information regarding the trading of rights, including the stock exchanges, if any, on which the rights will be listed; |
| · | the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; |
| · | if appropriate, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
| · | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of the rights; and |
| · | any other material terms of the rights. |
If fewer than all of the subscription rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
34
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of debt or equity securities issued by us or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices or such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, currencies or commodities.
Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. A purchase by us or any of our subsidiaries of common shares pursuant to any such purchase contract shall be subject to certain restrictions under Swiss law that generally apply to a repurchase of shares. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.
The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts will be issued under an indenture.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred shares, common shares or any combination of such securities. The applicable supplement will describe:
| · | the terms of the units and of the warrants, debt securities, preferred shares and/or common shares comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately; |
| · | a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and |
| · | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units. |
35
FORMS OF SECURITIES
Each debt security, warrant and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities will be issued in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.
Registered Global Securities
We may issue registered debt securities, warrants and units in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement
36
or unit agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants or units, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of ADC Therapeutics SA, the trustees, the warrant agents, the unit agents or any other agent of ADC Therapeutics SA, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents or unit agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.
37
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:
| · | through underwriters or dealers; |
| · | directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; |
| · | in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise; |
| · | through agents; or |
| · | through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The prospectus supplement will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
| · | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
| · | the purchase price of such securities and the proceeds to be received by us, if any; |
| · | any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; |
| · | any public offering price; |
| · | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| · | any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. |
Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:
| · | negotiated transactions; |
| · | at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed; |
| · | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| · | at prices related to prevailing market prices; or |
| · | at negotiated prices. |
Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.
The securities may be sold through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions paid to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings will be made pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement with the underwriters or agents. Such underwriters or agents may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, shares may be
38
sold on a daily basis on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the common shares are traded, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise as agreed with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any common share sold will be sold at negotiated prices or at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our common shares. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we may also agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our common shares or other securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be described in a prospectus supplement.
We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions paid for solicitation of these contracts.
Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make.
The prospectus supplement may also set forth whether or not underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including, for example, by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids.
Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market, other than our common shares, which are listed on the NYSE. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities, other than our common shares, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.
39
EXPENSES OF THE OFFERING
The following table sets forth the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation, if any) expected to be incurred by us in connection with a possible offering of securities registered under this registration statement:
| Expenses | Amount | |||
| SEC registration fee | $ | 33,060 | ||
| FINRA filing fee | 45,500 | |||
| Printing and engraving expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Legal fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Miscellaneous costs | (1 | ) | ||
| Total | $ | (1 | ) | |
| (1) | These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances, and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time and will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
40
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of certain securities and certain other matters with respect to Swiss law will be passed upon for us by Homburger AG, Zurich, Switzerland. The validity of certain securities and certain matters with respect to U.S. federal and New York State law will be passed upon for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be advised by their own legal counsel concerning issues relating to any offering.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA is a member of EXPERTsuisse — Swiss Expert Association for Audit, Tax and Fiduciary.
ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS
We are organized under the laws of Switzerland and our registered office and domicile is located in Epalinges, Switzerland. Moreover, a number of our directors and executive officers are not residents of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or upon such persons or to enforce against them judgments obtained in U.S. courts, including judgments in actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. We have been advised by our Swiss counsel that there is doubt as to the enforceability in Switzerland of original actions, or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, of civil liabilities to the extent solely predicated upon the federal and state securities laws of the United States. Original actions against persons in Switzerland based solely upon the U.S. federal or state securities laws are governed, among other things, by the principles set forth in the Swiss Federal Act on Private International Law (the “PILA”). This statute provides that the application of provisions of non-Swiss law by the courts in Switzerland shall be precluded if the result would be incompatible with Swiss public policy. Also, mandatory provisions of Swiss law may be applicable regardless of any other law that would otherwise apply.
Switzerland and the United States do not have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition of and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. The recognition and enforcement of a judgment of the courts of the United States in Switzerland is governed by the principles set forth in the PILA. This statute provides in principle that a judgment rendered by a non-Swiss court may be enforced in Switzerland only if:
| · | the non-Swiss court had jurisdiction pursuant to the PILA; |
| · | the judgment of such non-Swiss court has become final and non-appealable; |
| · | the judgment does not contravene Swiss public policy; |
| · | the court procedures and the service of documents leading to the judgment were in accordance with the due process of law; and |
| · | no proceeding involving the same position and the same subject matter was first brought in Switzerland, or adjudicated in Switzerland, or was earlier adjudicated in a third state and this decision is recognizable in Switzerland. |
41
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form. The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information we have filed electronically with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
We have filed with the SEC a “shelf” registration statement (including amendments and exhibits to the registration statement) on Form F-3 under the Securities Act. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. We have omitted parts of the registration statement in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For more detail about us and the securities that may be offered by this prospectus, you may examine the registration statement on Form F-3 and the exhibits filed with it at the website provided in the previous paragraph.
We maintain a corporate website at www.adctherapeutics.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
42
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference information in this prospectus, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered to be a part of this prospectus. Any statement made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below:
| · | our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022; |
| · | our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2023 (only with respect to “Compensation Report of ADC Therapeutics SA for the Year Ended December 31, 2022—2. Compensation of the Board of Directors” and “Compensation Report of ADC Therapeutics SA for the Year Ended December 31, 2022—3. Compensation of the Members of Executive Management” in Exhibit 99.1 thereto); and |
| · | our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020, which incorporates by reference the description of our common shares from our Registration Statement on Form F-1, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F, Form 40-F or Form 10-K that we file with the SEC and all subsequent filings on Forms 10-Q and 8-K filed by us with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act (excluding, in each case, any information or documents deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC), after the date hereof and prior to the termination or expiration of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, shall be incorporated by reference. We may incorporate by reference any reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC that we specifically identify in such form or in any applicable prospectus supplement as being incorporated by reference into this prospectus or such prospectus supplement (i) after the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement and (ii) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the completion of an offering of securities under this prospectus.
You can obtain any of the filings incorporated by reference in this prospectus through us or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 20-F and Reports on Form 6-K and exhibits incorporated in and amendments to those reports, are also available free of charge on our website (www.adctherapeutics.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part. We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all the reports or documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus at no cost, upon written or oral request to us at the following address:
Investor Relations
ADC Therapeutics SA
c/o ADC Therapeutics America, Inc.
430 Mountain Avenue, 4th Floor
Murray Hill, NJ 07974
(908) 546-5556
43
ADC THERAPEUTICS SA
$300,000,000
Common Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units
PROSPECTUS
, 2023
The information in this prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 15, 2023
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
ADC THERAPEUTICS SA
Up to $150,000,000
Common Shares
We previously entered into an Open Market Sale AgreementSM with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies” or the “sales agent”), dated June 4, 2021, relating to the sale of our common shares, par value CHF 0.08 per share, offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (such agreement, the “sales agreement”). In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, under this prospectus supplement, we may offer and sell our common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $150,000,000 from time to time through the sales agent.
Sales of our common shares, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made by any method permitted that is deemed an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The sales agent is not required to sell any specific amount, but will act as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
The sales agent will be entitled to compensation at a commission rate of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price of any common shares sold under the sales agreement. In connection with the sale of common shares on our behalf, the sales agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of the sales agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the sales agent with respect to certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-18 for additional information regarding the compensation to be paid to the sales agent.
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ADCT.” On March 10, 2023, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE was $2.74 per share.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and any risk factors in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Jefferies
Prospectus supplement dated , 2023.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT | S-1 |
| PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY | S-3 |
| RISK FACTORS | S-6 |
| CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | S-7 |
| USE OF PROCEEDS | S-9 |
| DIVIDEND POLICY | S-9 |
| DILUTION | S-10 |
| TAXATION | S-11 |
| PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | S-18 |
| LEGAL MATTERS | S-20 |
| EXPERTS | S-20 |
| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | S-21 |
| INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE | S-22 |
S-i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. The accompanying prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered by us, some of which may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement adds to, updates and, where applicable, modifies and supersedes information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.
Before buying any of the securities that we are offering, you should carefully read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus with all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, as well as the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.” These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision. We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement, provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
The information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in the accompanying prospectus or the sale of any securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
Neither we nor the sale agent have authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, or any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither we nor the sales agent take responsibility for, or provide assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
For investors outside the United States: Neither we nor the sales agent have taken any action that would permit the offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities described herein and the distribution of this prospectus supplement outside the United States.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “ADC Therapeutics,” “ADCT,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” or similar terms refer to ADC Therapeutics SA and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Trademarks
We own various trademark registrations and applications, and unregistered trademarks, including ADC Therapeutics, ADCT, ZYNLONTA and our corporate logo. All other trade names, trademarks and service
S-1
marks of other companies appearing in this prospectus supplement are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this prospectus supplement may be referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. We do not intend to use or display other companies’ trademarks and trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
Presentation of Financial Information
Our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). None of the consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The terms “dollar,” “USD” or “$” refer to U.S. dollars and the term “Swiss franc” and “CHF” refer to the legal currency of Switzerland, unless otherwise indicated. We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, any numerical discrepancies in any table between totals and sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding.
Market and Industry Data
This prospectus supplement contains industry, market and competitive position data that are based on general and industry publications, surveys and studies conducted by third parties, some of which may not be publicly available, and our own internal estimates and research. Third-party publications, surveys and studies generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. These data involve a number of assumptions and limitations and contain projections and estimates of the future performance of the industries in which we operate that are subject to a high degree of uncertainty.
S-2
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. This summary may not contain all the information that may be important to you, and we urge you to read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement carefully before deciding to invest in our securities.
Our Company
Overview
We are a fully-integrated commercial-stage biotechnology company helping to improve the lives of those affected by cancer with our next-generation, targeted antibody drug conjugates (“ADCs”). Our flagship product, ZYNLONTA® (loncastuximab tesirine or Lonca) received accelerated approval from the FDA on April 23, 2021, and launched commercially in the U.S. shortly thereafter, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (“DLBCL”) not otherwise specified, DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, and also high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Our objective is to establish ZYNLONTA as the third line+ DLBCL standard of care while exploring ZYNLONTA in earlier lines of therapy and in combinations to expand our market opportunity. We have a strong validated technology platform including our highly potent pyrrolobenzodiazepine (“PBD”) technology and are advancing this proprietary PBD-based ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Additionally, we have a growing toolbox of different components allowing us to work on next-generation ADC products. By leveraging our R&D strengths, our disciplined approach to target selection and our preclinical and clinical development strategy, we have created a diverse portfolio and research pipeline. Our clinical-stage PBD-based pipeline consists of two company-sponsored candidates, ADCT-901 (KAAG1) and ADCT-601 (mipasetamab uzoptirine) (AXL), as well as one clinical-stage candidate, ADCT-602 (CD22), which is being developed in collaboration with a partner. Our preclinical-stage PBD-based pipeline consists of one company-sponsored candidate, ADCT-212 (PSMA), as well as one preclinical-stage candidate, ADCT-701(DLK-1), which is being developed in collaboration with our partner, the National Cancer Institute. We are also committed to broadening our ADC platform by expanding new antibody constructs and payloads and advancing our differentiated next-generation assets.
Company and Corporate Information
We are a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) organized under the laws of Switzerland. We were incorporated as a Swiss limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) on June 6, 2011 and converted into a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) under the laws of Switzerland on October 13, 2015. We have three subsidiaries: ADC Therapeutics (UK) Limited, ADC Therapeutics America, Inc. and ADC Therapeutics (NL) BV. Our principal executive office is located at Biopôle, Route de la Corniche 3B, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland and our telephone number is +41 21 653 02 00. Our website is www.adctherapeutics.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
We are considered a “foreign private issuer.” Accordingly, we report under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. This means that we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including:
| · | the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; |
S-3
| · | the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and |
| · | the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events. |
We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States.
In this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, we have taken advantage of certain of the reduced reporting requirements as a result of being a foreign private issuer. Accordingly, the information contained in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold equity securities.
S-4
THE OFFERING
| Common shares offered by us | Common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $150,000,000. | |
| Common shares outstanding as December 31, 2022 | 80,642,527 shares. | |
| Plan of distribution | “At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through the sales agent. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-18 of this prospectus supplement. | |
| Use of proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, together with our cash and cash equivalents, primarily to fund research and development and commercialization activities and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to in-license or acquire or invest in complementary technologies, products, businesses or assets; however, we have no current plans, commitments or obligations to do so. See “Use of Proceeds.” | |
| Risk factors | Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. See the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors you should consider before deciding to invest in our common shares. | |
| NYSE symbol | “ADCT” |
The number of common shares outstanding before and after this offering is based on 80,642,527 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022, and excludes:
| · | 11,156,101 common shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022, at a weighted-average exercise price of $18.37 per share; |
| · | 1,633,507 common shares issuable upon vesting of restricted share units outstanding under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022; |
| · | 2,437,884 additional common shares reserved for future issuance under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022; |
| · | 782,700 common shares reserved for future issuance under our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of December 31, 2022; |
| · | 8,399,419 common shares we hold in treasury as of December 31, 2022; and |
| · | 4,940,135 common shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2022. |
S-5
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. Before making a decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the following risks and in our then-most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, and any updates to those risk factors in our reports on Form 6-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. Although we discuss key risks in our discussion of risk factors, new risks may emerge in the future, which may prove to be significant. We cannot predict future risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Risks Related to this Offering
You may experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of your investment.
If you purchase our common shares in this offering, you will experience immediate dilution in an amount equal to the difference between the purchase price per share and our then-net tangible book value per common share. See “Dilution.”
The issuance of common shares in connection with the exercise of securities convertible into or exercisable for our common shares would dilute your ownership interest and could materially affect the market price of our common shares and our earnings per share.
As of the date of this prospectus, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 4,940,135 common shares. To the extent that holders of such warrants elect to exercise the warrants, substantial amounts of our common shares may be issued in the future. We cannot quantify the number of common shares that will be issued in connection with the exercise, if any. However, the issuance of common shares pursuant to such exercise would dilute your ownership interest and could materially affect the market price of our common shares and our earnings per share.
The actual number of common shares we will sell under the sales agreement and the resulting gross proceeds is uncertain.
Subject to certain limitations in the sales agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice to the sales agent at any time throughout the term of the sales agreement. The number of common shares that are sold by the sales agent after we deliver a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of our common shares during the sales period and limits we set in the placement notice. Because the price per share sold will fluctuate based on the market price of our common shares during the sales period, it is not possible to predict the number of common shares that will be ultimately sold or the resulting gross proceeds.
The common shares offered in this offering will be sold in “at the market offerings.” Investors who purchase our common shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors who purchase our common shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices and numbers of common shares sold, and subject to certain limitations in the sales agreement, there is no minimum or maximum sales price. Investors may experience a decline in the value of their common shares and dilution as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and we may not use them effectively.
We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering as described in “Use of Proceeds.” However, our board of directors and our management retains broad discretion in the application of the net
S-6
proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common shares. Our failure to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our future catalysts, results of operations and financial position, business and commercial strategy, market opportunities, products and product candidates, research pipeline, ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials, regulatory submissions and approvals, research and development costs, projected revenues, expenses and cash balance and the timing of revenues and expenses, timing and likelihood of success, as well as plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will” and “potential,” among others.
Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information available to our management at the time such statements are made. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to achieve its financial guidance, including 2023 net product revenue guidance for ZYNLONTA and the decrease in total operating expenses for 2023 and 2024; the Company’s ability to continue to commercialize ZYNLONTA in the United States and future revenue from the same; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi)’s ability to successfully commercialize ZYNLONTA in the European Economic Area and market acceptance, adequate reimbursement coverage, and future revenue from the same; our strategic partners’, including Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation and Overland Pharmaceuticals, ability to obtain regulatory approval for ZYNLONTA in foreign jurisdictions, and the timing and amount of future revenue and payments to us from such partnerships; the Company’s ability to market its products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; the timing and results of the Company’s or its partners’ research projects or clinical trials including LOTIS 2, 5, 7 and 9, ADCT 901, 701, 601, 602 and 212, the timing and outcome of regulatory submissions and actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory agencies with respect to the Company’s products or product candidates; projected revenue and expenses; our indebtedness and the restrictions imposed on the Company’s activities by such indebtedness, the ability to repay such indebtedness and the significant cash required to service such indebtedness; the Company’s ability to obtain financial and other resources for its research, development, clinical, and commercial activities; the manufacture and supply of our products and product candidates; our expectations regarding the size of the patient populations amenable to treatment with our products and, if approved, product candidates, as well as the treatment landscape of the indications that we are targeting with our products and product candidates; our ability to identify and develop additional product candidates; the ability of our competitors to discover, develop or commercialize competing products before or more successfully than we do; our competitive position and the development of and projections relating to our competitors or our industry; our estimates of our expenses, revenues, capital requirements, cash runway and need for or ability to obtain additional financing; our ability to identify and successfully enter into strategic collaborations or licensing opportunities in the future, and our assumptions regarding any potential revenue that we may generate under current or future collaborations or licensing arrangements; our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce intellectual property protection for our products and product candidates, and the scope of such protection; our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of third parties;
S-7
our expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; our expectations regarding the impact of the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including resulting sanctions and changes in commodities prices, on our business and industry and the financial markets; our expectations regarding the impact of inflation and other market risks; our ability to attract and retain qualified key management and technical personnel; our expectations regarding the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting; and our expectations regarding the time during which we will be a foreign private issuer.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they were made. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond our control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. You should read this prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of such statements, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
S-8
USE OF PROCEEDS
We may offer and sell our common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $150,000,000 from time to time through the sales agent. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, together with our cash and cash equivalents, primarily to fund research and development and commercialization activities and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to in-license or acquire or invest in complementary technologies, products, businesses or assets; however, we have no current plans, commitments or obligations to do so. Our expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based on our present plans and business condition, which could change as our plans and business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our actual use of the net proceeds from this offering will vary depending on numerous factors. As a result, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for any net proceeds to be received or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. Our board of directors and our management retains broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering.
Pending the use of the proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation instruments, which may include all or a combination of short-term and long-term interest-bearing instruments, investment-grade securities, and direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government. We cannot predict whether the proceeds invested will yield a favorable return.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our share capital. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, agreements governing our indebtedness, including the loan agreement and guaranty, dated August 15, 2022, among us, ADC Therapeutics (UK) Limited, ADC Therapeutics America, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Owl Rock Opportunistic Master Fund I, L.P., as administrative agent and collateral agent, limit our ability to pay dividends. Any future determination related to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, business prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.
Under Swiss law, any dividend must be approved by our shareholders. In addition, our auditors must confirm that the dividend proposal of our board of directors to the shareholders conforms to Swiss statutory law and our articles of association. A Swiss corporation may pay dividends only if it has sufficient distributable profits from the previous business year (bénéfice de l’exercice) or brought forward from previous business years (report des bénéfices) or if it has distributable reserves (réserves à libre disposition), each as evidenced by its audited stand-alone statutory balance sheet prepared pursuant to Swiss law and after allocations to reserves required by Swiss law and its articles of association have been deducted. Distributable reserves are generally booked either as free reserves (réserves libres) or as reserves from capital contributions (apports de capital). Distributions out of share capital, which is the aggregate par value of a corporation’s issued shares, may be made only by way of a share capital reduction.
S-9
DILUTION
If you purchase our common shares in this offering, you will experience immediate dilution in an amount equal to the difference between the purchase price per share and our then-net tangible book value per common share.
Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our tangible net worth (defined as total assets, less intangible assets, less total liabilities) by the number of our common shares outstanding. Our historical net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022 was $74.4 million, or $0.92 per share. After giving effect to the assumed sale by us of $150,000,000 of common shares at an assumed public offering price of $2.74 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE on March 10, 2023, and after deducting estimated commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022 would have been $218.1 million, or $1.61 per common share, representing an immediate increase in the as adjusted net tangible book value of $0.69 per common share attributable to the purchasers in this offering and immediate dilution of $1.13 per share to purchasers in this offering.
The calculations above are based on 80,642,527 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022, and excludes:
| · | 11,156,101 common shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022, at a weighted-average exercise price of $18.37 per share; |
| · | 1,633,507 common shares issuable upon vesting of restricted share units outstanding under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022; |
| · | 2,437,884 additional common shares reserved for future issuance under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022; |
| · | 782,700 common shares reserved for future issuance under our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of December 31, 2022; |
| · | 8,399,419 common shares we hold in treasury as of December 31, 2022; and |
| · | 4,940,135 common shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2022. |
S-10
TAXATION
The following discussion is based on the tax laws, regulations and regulatory practices of Switzerland and the United States as in effect on the date hereof, which are subject to change (or subject to changes in interpretation), possibly with retroactive effect.
Current and prospective shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers in light of their particular circumstances as to the Swiss or U.S. tax laws, regulations and regulatory practices that could be relevant for them in connection with owning and selling or otherwise disposing of our common shares and receiving dividends and similar cash or in-kind distributions on our common shares (including dividends on liquidation proceeds and share dividends) or distributions on our common shares based upon a capital reduction or reserves paid out of capital contributions and the consequences thereof under the tax laws, regulations and regulatory practices of Switzerland or the United States.
Swiss Tax Considerations
Withholding Tax
Under present Swiss tax law, dividends due and similar cash or in-kind distributions made by the Company to a shareholder of common shares (including liquidation proceeds and bonus shares) are subject to Swiss federal withholding tax (“Withholding Tax”), currently at a rate of 35% (applicable to the gross amount of taxable distribution). However, the repayment of the par value of the common shares and any repayment of qualifying additional paid-in capital (capital contribution reserves), within the limitations accepted by the legislation in force when such Dividend becomes due and the respective administrative practice, are not subject to the Withholding Tax. The Company is obliged to deduct any applicable Withholding Tax from the gross amount of any taxable distribution and to pay the tax to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration within 30 days of the due date of such distribution.
Swiss resident individuals who hold their common shares as private assets (“Resident Private Shareholders”) are in principle eligible for a full refund or credit against income tax of the Withholding Tax if they duly report the underlying income in their income tax return. In addition, (i) corporate and individual shareholders who are resident in Switzerland for tax purposes, (ii) corporate and individual shareholders who are not resident in Switzerland, and who, in each case, hold their common shares as part of a trade or business carried on in Switzerland through a permanent establishment with fixed place of business situated in Switzerland for tax purposes and (iii) Swiss resident private individuals who, for income tax purposes, are classified as “professional securities dealers” for reasons of, inter alia, frequent dealing, or leveraged investments, in shares and other securities (collectively, “Domestic Commercial Shareholders”) are in principle eligible for a full refund or credit against income tax of the Withholding Tax if they duly report the underlying income in their statements of operations or income tax return, as the case may be.
Shareholders who are not resident in Switzerland for tax purposes, and who, in each case and during the respective taxation year, do not hold their common shares as part of a trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment with fixed place of business situated in Switzerland for tax purposes, and who are not subject to corporate or individual income taxation in Switzerland for any other reason (collectively, “Non-Resident Shareholders”) may be entitled to a total or partial refund of the Withholding Tax if the country in which such recipient resides for tax purposes maintains a bilateral treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with Switzerland and further conditions of such treaty are met. Non-Resident Shareholders should be aware that the procedures for claiming treaty benefits (and the time required for obtaining a refund) may differ from country to country. Non-Resident Shareholders should consult their own legal, financial or tax advisors regarding receipt, ownership, purchases, sale or other dispositions of common shares and the procedures for claiming a refund of the Withholding Tax.
Swiss Federal Issuance Stamp Duty
The Company will be subject to the Swiss federal issuance stamp duty (droit de timbre d’émission) on the issuance of common shares of 1% of the offering price, net of certain deductions.
S-11
Swiss Federal Securities Transfer Tax
The delivery of common shares against payment of the offering price is not subject to Swiss securities transfer tax (droit de timbre de négociation). Any subsequent transactions in common shares in the secondary markets are subject to Swiss securities transfer tax at an aggregate rate of 0.15% of the consideration paid for such common shares, however, only if a bank or other securities dealer in Switzerland, as defined in the Swiss Federal Stamp Tax Act (loi fédérale sur les droits de timbre), is a party or an intermediary to the transaction and no exemption applies.
Swiss Federal, Cantonal and Communal Individual Income Tax and Corporate Income Tax
Non-Resident Shareholders
Non-Resident Shareholders are not subject to any Swiss federal, cantonal or communal income tax on dividend payments and similar distributions because of the mere holding of common shares. The same applies for capital gains on the sale of common shares subject to certain exceptions. For Withholding Tax consequences, see “—Swiss Tax Considerations—Withholding Tax.”
Resident Private Shareholders and Domestic Commercial Shareholders
Resident Private Shareholders who receive dividends and similar cash or in-kind distributions (including liquidation proceeds as well as bonus shares or taxable repurchases of common shares as described above), which are not repayments of the par value of common shares or, within the limitations accepted by the legislation in force and the respective administrative practice, qualifying additional paid-in capital (capital contribution reserves), are required to report such receipts in their individual income tax returns and are subject to Swiss federal, cantonal and communal income tax on any net taxable income for the relevant tax period. A gain or a loss by Resident Private Shareholders realized upon the sale or other disposition of common shares to a third party will generally be a tax-free private capital gain or not a tax-deductible capital loss, as the case may be. Under exceptional circumstances the capital gain may be re-characterized into a taxable dividend, in particular upon taxable repurchase of common shares as described above. When a capital gain is re-characterized as a dividend, the relevant income for tax purposes corresponds to the difference between the repurchase price and the sum of the par value of common shares and, within the limitations accepted by the legislation in force and the respective administrative practice, qualifying additional paid-in capital (capital contribution reserves).
Domestic Commercial Shareholders who receive dividends and similar cash or in-kind distributions (including liquidation proceeds as well as bonus shares) are required to recognize such payments in their statements of operations for the relevant tax period and are subject to Swiss federal, cantonal and communal individual or corporate income tax, as the case may be, on any net taxable earnings accumulated (including the dividends) for such period. Domestic Commercial Shareholders who are corporate taxpayers may qualify for participation relief on dividend distributions (réduction pour participations), if common shares held have an aggregate market value of at least CHF 1 million or represent 10% or more of our share capital. For cantonal and communal income tax purposes, the regulations on participation relief are broadly similar, depending on the canton of residency.
Domestic Commercial Shareholders are required to recognize a gain or loss realized upon the disposal of common shares in their statement of operations for the respective taxation period and are subject to Swiss federal, cantonal and communal individual or corporate income tax, as the case may be, on any net taxable earnings (including the gain or loss realized on the sale or other disposition of common shares) for such taxation period.
Swiss Wealth Tax and Capital Tax
Non-Resident Shareholders
Non-Resident Shareholders holding common shares are not subject to cantonal and communal wealth or annual capital tax because of the mere holding of common shares.
S-12
Resident Private Shareholders
Resident Private Shareholders are required to report their common shares as part of their private assets and are subject to cantonal and communal wealth tax.
Domestic Commercial Shareholders
Domestic Commercial Shareholders are required to report their common shares as part of their business assets or taxable capital, as defined, and are subject to cantonal and communal wealth or annual capital tax.
Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters
On November 19, 2014, Switzerland signed the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement. The Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement is based on Article 6 of the OECD/Council of Europe administrative assistance convention and is intended to ensure the uniform implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information (the “AEOI”). The Federal Act on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (the “AEOI Act”) entered into force on January 1, 2017. The AEOI Act is the legal basis for the implementation of the AEOI standard in Switzerland.
The AEOI is being introduced in Switzerland through bilateral agreements or multilateral agreements. The agreements have been, and will be, concluded on the basis of guaranteed reciprocity, compliance with the principle of speciality (i.e., the information exchanged may only be used to assess and levy taxes (and for criminal tax proceedings)) and adequate data protection.
Based on such multilateral or bilateral agreements and the implementation of Swiss law, Switzerland collects and exchanges data in respect of financial assets, including common shares, held in, and income derived thereon and credited to, accounts or deposits with a paying agent in Switzerland for the benefit of individuals resident in a European Union member state or in a treaty state.
Swiss Facilitation of the Implementation of the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Switzerland has concluded an intergovernmental agreement with the United States to facilitate the implementation of U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The agreement ensures that the accounts held by U.S. persons with Swiss financial institutions are disclosed to the U.S. tax authorities either with the consent of the account holder or by means of group requests within the scope of administrative assistance. Information will not be transferred automatically in the absence of consent, and instead will be exchanged only within the scope of administrative assistance on the basis of the double taxation agreement between the United States and Switzerland. On October 8, 2014, the Swiss Federal Council approved a mandate for negotiations with the United States on changing the current direct-notification-based regime to a regime where the relevant information is sent to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, which in turn provides the information to the U.S. tax authorities.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences for U.S. Holders
In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the following is a description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders, as defined below, of owning and disposing of our common shares. It does not describe all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to acquire common shares.
This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that holds common shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). In addition, it does not describe any tax consequences other than U.S. federal income tax consequences, including state and local tax consequences and estate tax consequences, and does not describe all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant in light of the U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences, the potential application of the provisions of the Internal Revenue
S-13
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) known as the Medicare contribution tax and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:
| · | certain banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions; |
| · | brokers, dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting; |
| · | persons holding common shares as part of a straddle, wash sale, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the common shares; |
| · | persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar; |
| · | entities or arrangements classified as partnerships or S corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| · | tax-exempt entities, including an “individual retirement account” or “Roth IRAs” and governmental entities; |
| · | real estate investment trusts or regulated investment companies; |
| · | former U.S. citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
| · | persons subject to Section 451(b) of the Code; |
| · | persons that own or are deemed to own 10% or more of the voting power or value of our shares; or |
| · | persons holding common shares in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United States or in connection with a permanent establishment or other fixed place of business outside of the United States. |
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding common shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the common shares.
This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between Switzerland and the United States (the “Treaty”), all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect.
A “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our common shares who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty and who is:
| · | a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
| · | a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or |
| · | an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of common shares in their particular circumstances.
S-14
Recently released Treasury regulations may in some circumstances prohibit a U.S. person from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to certain non-U.S. taxes that are not creditable under applicable income tax treaties (the “Foreign Tax Credit Regulations”). Accordingly, U.S. investors that are not eligible for Treaty benefits should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability or deductibility of any Swiss taxes imposed on dividends on, or dispositions of, common shares.
The discussion under “Taxation of Distributions” and “Sale or Other Disposition of Common Shares” below describes certain consequences to U.S. Holders in the event that we are not a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “PFIC”) during any tax year in which a U.S. Holder holds our common shares. This discussion assumes that we were not a PFIC for our 2022 taxable year, and will not become a PFIC in the foreseeable future. See “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” below.
Taxation of Distributions
Distributions paid on common shares, other than certain pro rata distributions of common shares, will generally be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, we expect that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for taxation as “qualified dividend income” and therefore, subject to applicable limitations, may be taxable at rates not in excess of the long-term capital gain rate applicable to such U.S. Holder. Dividends will constitute qualified dividend income (a) for so long as the common shares with respect to which such dividends are paid are listed on the NYSE or we are eligible for benefits under the treaty and (b) we are not a PFIC in the year in which the dividend is paid or the prior taxable year. However, there can be no assurance that our common shares will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the future, nor (as discussed under "Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules" below) that we will not be a PFIC for any future taxable year. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends in their particular circumstances.
The amount of a dividend will include any amounts withheld by us in respect of Swiss income taxes. The amount of the dividend will be treated as foreign-source dividend income to U.S. Holders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income on the date of the U.S. Holder’s receipt of the dividend. The amount of any dividend income paid in Swiss francs will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.
Subject to applicable limitations, some of which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, Swiss income taxes withheld from dividends on common shares (at a rate not exceeding the rate provided by the Treaty, in the case of a U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate under the Treaty) will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex. For example, under the Foreign Tax Credit Regulations, in the absence of an election to apply the benefits of the Treaty, in order for foreign income taxes to be creditable, the rules imposing the taxes must be consistent with certain U.S. federal income tax principles, and we have not determined whether the Swiss income tax system meets all these requirements. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, U.S. Holders may, at their election, deduct foreign taxes, including any Swiss income tax, in computing their taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations under U.S. law. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year.
Sale or Other Disposition of Common Shares
S-15
Gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of common shares will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such common shares was more than one year as of the date of the sale or other disposition. The amount of the gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. Long-term capital gain recognized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder is subject to U.S. federal income tax at rates lower than the rates applicable to ordinary income and short-term capital gains, while short-term capital gains are subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to ordinary income. This gain or loss will generally be U.S.-source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. However, U.S. Holders that are eligible for benefits under the Treaty may be able to elect to treat the gain as foreign-source income under the Treaty and claim a foreign tax credit in respect of Swiss taxes on disposition gains. The Foreign Tax Credit Regulations generally preclude a U.S. Holder from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to Swiss income taxes on gains from dispositions of common shares if the U.S. Holder does not elect to apply the benefits of the Treaty. However, in that case it is possible that any Swiss taxes on disposition gains may either be deductible or reduce the amount realized on the disposition. The rules governing foreign tax credits and deductibility of foreign taxes are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their eligibility for benefits under the Treaty and the consequences of the imposition of any Swiss tax on disposition gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
Under the Code, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which, after the application of certain look-through rules with respect to subsidiaries, either (i) 75% or more of our gross income consists of “passive income” or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets consist of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, “passive income.” For purposes of the above calculations, we will be treated as if we hold our proportionate share of the assets of, and receive directly our proportionate share of the income of, any other corporation in which we directly or indirectly own at least 25%, by value, of the shares of such corporation. Passive income generally includes interest, dividends, certain non-active rents and royalties, and capital gains.
Based on the information available to us as of the date of this prospectus supplement, we believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2022 taxable year. Whether we are a PFIC in any year, or will become a PFIC in any future year, is uncertain because, among other things, (i) we currently own, and likely will continue to own, a substantial amount of passive assets, including cash, (ii) the timing of our recognition of active income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which may differ from the timing of the recognition of such income for financial accounting purposes, may result in our recognizing minimal amounts of active income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in certain taxable years and (iii) the valuation of our assets that generate non-passive income for PFIC purposes, including our intangible assets, is uncertain and may be determined in substantial part by our market capitalization, which may vary substantially over time. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any future taxable year.
If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that U.S. Holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder holds common shares, even if we cease to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status, unless the U.S. Holder elects to recognize gain, if any, as if it sold its common shares as of the last day of the last tax year in which we are a PFIC (such election, a “Purging Election”). In addition, the Company may, directly or indirectly, have held or hold equity interests in other PFICs (collectively, “Lower-tier PFICs”). Under attribution rules, if the Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate shares of the stock of Lower-tier PFICs and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax according to the rules described in the following paragraphs on (i) certain distributions by a Lower-tier PFIC and (ii) a disposition of shares of a Lower-tier PFIC, in each case as if the U.S. Holder held such shares directly, even though holders have not received the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions directly. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers about the consequences to them if we own one or more Lower-tier PFICs.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds common shares (assuming such U.S. Holder has not made certain elections, as described below), gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on
S-16
sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of common shares (including any gain recognized as a consequence of a Purging Election) will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge will be imposed on the resulting tax liability. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its common shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on the common shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, that distribution will be subject to taxation in the same manner as gain, described immediately above. Certain elections may be available (including a mark-to-market election) that may provide alternative tax treatments. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding whether any of these elections for alternative treatment would be available and, if so, what the consequences of the alternative treatments would be in their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC (or, with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, are treated as a PFIC) for a taxable year in which we pay a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the preferential dividend rates discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders will not apply.
If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, the U.S. Holder would generally be required to file an annual report on IRS Form 8621 with their annual U.S. federal income tax returns, subject to certain exceptions.
Prospective U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential PFIC rules to an investment in common shares.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject to information reporting, and may be subject to backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding.
The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
S-17
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We previously entered into a sales agreement with Jefferies, under which we may offer and sell our common shares from time to time through Jefferies, acting as agent. Pursuant to this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, we may offer and sell up to $150,000,000 of our common shares. Sales of our common shares, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be made by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act.
Each time we wish to issue and sell common shares under the sales agreement, we will notify Jefferies of the number of common shares to be sold, the dates on which such sales are anticipated to be made, any limitation on the number of common shares to be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. Once we have so instructed Jefferies, unless Jefferies declines to accept the terms of such notice, Jefferies has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such common shares up to the amount specified on such terms. The obligations of Jefferies under the sales agreement to sell our common shares are subject to a number of conditions that we must meet.
The settlement of sales of our common shares between us and Jefferies is generally anticipated to occur on the second trading day following the date on which the sale was made. Sales of our common shares as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Jefferies may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
We will pay Jefferies a commission up to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds we receive from each sale of our common shares. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. Except as we and Jefferies otherwise agree, we will reimburse Jefferies for the fees and disbursements of its counsel, payable upon execution of the sales agreement, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, in addition to certain ongoing disbursements of its legal counsel unless we and Jefferies otherwise agree. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding any commissions or expense reimbursement payable to Jefferies under the terms of the sales agreement, will be approximately $2.5 million. The remaining proceeds, after deducting any other transaction fees, will equal our net proceeds from the sale of our common shares in this offering.
Jefferies will provide written confirmation to us before the open on the NYSE on the day following each day on which common shares are sold under the sales agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of common shares sold on that day, the aggregate gross proceeds of such sales and the proceeds to us.
In connection with the sale of common shares on our behalf, Jefferies will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of Jefferies will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify Jefferies against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act. We have also agreed to contribute to payments Jefferies may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
The offering of our common shares pursuant to the sales agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all common shares subject to the sales agreement and (ii) the termination of the sales agreement as permitted therein.
This summary of the material provisions of the sales agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the sales agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part.
Jefferies and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking, financial advisory and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. In the course of its business, Jefferies may actively trade our securities for
S-18
its own account or for the accounts of customers, and, accordingly, Jefferies may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.
A prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Jefferies, and Jefferies may distribute the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically. The address of Jefferies LLC is 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
S-19
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common shares offered and certain other matters with respect to Swiss law will be passed upon for us by Homburger AG, Zurich, Switzerland. Certain matters with respect to U.S. federal and New York State law will be passed upon for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York. Jefferies LLC is represented in connection with this offering by Cooley LLP, New York, New York with respect to matters of U.S. federal law and by Lenz & Staehelin, Geneva, Switzerland, with respect to matters of Swiss law.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA is a member of EXPERTsuisse — Swiss Expert Association for Audit, Tax and Fiduciary.
S-20
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information we have filed electronically with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
We have filed with the SEC a “shelf” registration statement (including amendments and exhibits to the registration statement) on Form F-3 under the Securities Act. This prospectus supplement, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. We have omitted parts of the registration statement in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For more detail about us and the securities offered by this prospectus supplement, you may examine the registration statement on Form F-3 and the exhibits filed with it at the website provided in the previous paragraph.
We maintain a corporate website at www.adctherapeutics.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
S-21
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference information in this prospectus, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement. Any statement made in this prospectus supplement or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents listed below:
| · | our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022; |
| · | our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2023 (only with respect to “Compensation Report of ADC Therapeutics SA for the Year Ended December 31, 2022—2. Compensation of the Board of Directors” and “Compensation Report of ADC Therapeutics SA for the Year Ended December 31, 2022—3. Compensation of the Members of Executive Management” in Exhibit 99.1 thereto); and |
| · | our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020, which incorporates by reference the description of our common shares from our Registration Statement on Form F-1, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F, Form 40-F or Form 10-K that we file with the SEC and all subsequent filings on Forms 10-Q and 8-K filed by us with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act (excluding, in each case, any information or documents deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC), after the date hereof and prior to the completion or termination of this offering, shall be incorporated by reference. We may incorporate by reference any reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC that we specifically identify in such form as being incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement after (i) after the filing of the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement and (ii) after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the completion or termination of the offering of securities under this prospectus supplement.
You can obtain any of the filings incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement through us or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 20-F and Reports on Form 6-K and exhibits incorporated in and amendments to those reports, are also available free of charge on our website (www.adctherapeutics.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which it forms a part. We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all the reports or documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement at no cost, upon written or oral request to us at the following address:
Investor Relations
ADC Therapeutics SA
c/o ADC Therapeutics America, Inc.
430 Mountain Avenue, 4th Floor
Murray Hill, NJ 07974
(908) 546-5556
S-22
ADC THERAPEUTICS SA
Up to $150,000,000
Common Shares
PROSPECTUS
Jefferies
, 2023
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
| Item 8. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Under Swiss law, a corporation may indemnify its directors or officers against losses and expenses (except for such losses and expenses arising from willful misconduct or negligence, although legal scholars advocate that at least gross negligence be required), including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts actually and reasonably incurred in a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of having been the representative of, or serving at the request of, the corporation.
Subject to Swiss law, our articles of association provide for indemnification of the existing and former members of our board of directors and our executive committee as well as their heirs, executors and administrators, against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties in such capacity, and our articles of association require us to advance the expenses of defending any action, suit or proceeding to existing and former members of our board of directors and our executive committee to the extent not included in insurance coverage or advanced by third parties.
In addition, under general principles of Swiss employment law, an employer may be required to indemnify an employee against losses and expenses incurred by such employee in the proper execution of their duties under the employment agreement with the company.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of the members of our board of directors and executive officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company, the Company has been advised that, in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
| Item 9. | Exhibits |
The exhibit index attached hereto is incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 10. | Undertakings |
The undersigned hereby undertakes:
| (a) | to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(1) to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in 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 Securities and Exchange 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
II-1
(3) 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), (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and 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 the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
| (b) | that, for purposes 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; |
| (c) | 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; |
| (d) | to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (d) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Item 8.A of Form 20-F if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic 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 the Form F-3; |
| (e) | that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: |
(1) each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(2) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and
II-2
| (f) | that, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
(1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(2) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(3) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(4) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser;
The undersigned 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 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the 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.
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 SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the 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 of 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.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act (“Trust Indenture Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
II-3
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following documents are filed as part of this registration statement:
| * | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of the offered securities. |
| † | To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the municipality of Epalinges, Switzerland on March 15, 2023.
| ADC THERAPEUTICS SA | |||||
| By: | /s/ Ameet Mallik | ||||
| Name: | Ameet Mallik | ||||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Ameet Mallik, Jose “Pepe” Carmona and Peter J. Graham and each of them, individually, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments and registrations filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on March 15, 2023 in the capacities indicated:
| Name | Title | |||||
| /s/ Ameet Mallik |
Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer) | |||||
| Ameet Mallik | ||||||
| /s/ Jose “Pepe” Carmona |
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) | |||||
| Jose “Pepe” Carmona | ||||||
| /s/ Lisa Kallebo |
Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) | |||||
| Lisa Kallebo | ||||||
| /s/ Ron Squarer | Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||||
| Ron Squarer | ||||||
| /s/ Michael Forer | Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||||
| Michael Forer | ||||||
| /s/ Jean-Pierre Bizzari | Director | |||||
| Jean-Pierre Bizzari | ||||||
| /s/ Stephen Evans-Freke | Director | |||||
| Stephen Evans-Freke |
| /s/ Peter Hug | Director | |||||
| Peter Hug | ||||||
| /s/ Christopher Martin | Director | |||||
| Christopher Martin | ||||||
| /s/ Viviane Monges | Director | |||||
| Viviane Monges | ||||||
| /s/ Thomas Pfisterer | Director | |||||
| Thomas Pfisterer | ||||||
| /s/ Tyrell J. Rivers | Director | |||||
| Tyrell J. Rivers | ||||||
| /s/ Victor Sandor | Director | |||||
| Victor Sandor | ||||||
| /s/ Jacques Theurillat | Director | |||||
| Jacques Theurillat | ||||||
| /s/ Jose “Pepe” Carmona | Authorized Representative in the United States | |||||
| Jose “Pepe” Carmona | ||||||
| ADC Therapeutics America, Inc. |
Exhibit 4.1
Articles of Association
of ADC Therapeutics SA
(ADC Therapeutics AG)
(ADC Therapeutics Ltd)
Statuts
de ADC Therapeutics SA
(ADC Therapeutics AG)
(ADC Therapeutics Ltd)
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Section 1 Name, Registered Office, Purpose and Duration of the Company |
Section 1 Raison sociale, siège, but de la société, durée | |||
| Article 1 | Article 1 | |||
| Name, Place of Incorporation | Under the name ADC Therapeutics SA (ADC Therapeutics AG) (ADC Therapeutics Ltd) (the Company) shall exist a corporation with its registered office in Epalinges, canton of Vaud. | Raison sociale, siège | Sous la raison sociale ADC Therapeutics SA (ADC Therapeutics AG), (ADC Therapeutics Ltd) (la Société) existe une société anonyme avec siège à Epalinges, canton de Vaud. | |
| Article 2 | Article 2 | |||
| Purpose |
1 The Company's purpose is to research, develop, produce and sell products in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutics, medical technology, diagnosis and therapy as well as to purchase, sell and use patents and licenses in these fields. The Company may engage in all types of transactions that appear appropriate to promote the purpose of the Company or that are related thereto.
|
But | 1 La Société a pour but la recherche, le développement, la production et la vente de produits dans les domaines de la biotechnologie, de la pharmaceutique, de la technologie médicale, du diagnostic et de la thérapie ainsi que l’acquisition, la vente et l'utilisation de brevets et de licences dans ces domaines. La Société peut exercer toutes activités aptes à favoriser son but ou en rapport avec ce dernier. | |
| 2 The Company may open branch offices and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad. It may also acquire participations or otherwise invest in other companies in Switzerland and abroad. | 2 La Société peut constituer des succursales et des filiales en Suisse et à l'étranger et participer à ou investir autrement dans d'autres entreprises en Suisse et à l'étranger. | |||
| 3 The Company may acquire, hold, manage, mortgage, exploit and sell real estate and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad and may also finance other companies. | 3 La Société peut acquérir, détenir, gérer, gager, mettre en valeur et aliéner des immeubles et des droits de propriété intellectuelle en Suisse et à l'étranger, ainsi que financer d'autres sociétés. | |||
2 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Article 3 | Article 3 | |||
| Duration | The duration of the Company shall be unlimited. | Durée | La durée de la Société est illimitée. | |
|
Section 2
Share Capital, Shares, Restrictions of Transferability
|
Section 2
Capital-actions, actions et restrictions à la transmissibilité
| |||
| Article 4 | Article 4 | |||
| Share Capital | The share capital of the Company is CHF 7,123,355.68 and is divided into 89,041,946 fully paid in registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.08 each. | Capital-actions | Le capital-actions de la Société s'élève à CHF 7'123'355.68 et est divisé en 89'041’946 actions nominatives entièrement libérées d'une valeur nominale de CHF 0.08 chacune. | |
| Article 4a | Article 4a | |||
| Authorized Share Capital | 1 The Board of Directors shall be authorized to increase the share capital at any time, including in connection with an intended takeover, until June 9, 2023 by a maximum amount of CHF 2,460,268.08 by issuing a maximum of 30,753,351 fully paid in registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.08 each. Increases in partial amounts shall be permissible. | Capital-actions autorisé | 1 Le Conseil d'administration est autorisé à augmenter le capital-actions d'un montant maximum de CHF 2'460'268.08, en tout temps, y inclus en lien avec une future offre publique d'acquisition, mais jusqu'au 9 juin 2023 au plus tard, par l'émission d'un maximum de 30'753’351 actions nominatives d'une valeur nominale de CHF 0.08 chacune, qui doivent être intégralement libérées. Des augmentations par montants partiels sont autorisées. | |
| 2 The subscription and acquisition of the new shares as well as any subsequent transfer of the shares shall be subject to the restrictions pursuant to Article 6 of these articles of association. | 2 La souscription et l'acquisition des nouvelles actions ainsi que tout transfert ultérieur des actions sont assujettis aux restrictions à la transmissibilité conformément à l'article 6 des présents statuts. | |||
| 3 The Board of Directors shall determine the issue price, the type of contribution, the date of issue, the conditions for the exercise of pre-emptive rights and the beginning | 3 Le Conseil d'administration détermine le prix d'émission, la nature des apports, le moment de l'émission, les conditions de l'exercice du droit de souscription |
3 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| date for dividend entitlement. In this regard, the Board of Directors may issue new shares by means of a firm underwriting through a financial institution, a syndicate of financial institutions or another third party and a subsequent offer of these shares to the existing shareholders or third parties (if the pre-emptive rights of the existing shareholders have been withdrawn or have not been duly exercised). The Board of Directors is entitled to permit, to restrict or to exclude the trading of pre-emptive rights. It may permit the expiration of pre-emptive rights that have not been exercised, or it may place such rights or shares as to which pre-emptive rights have been granted, but not exercised, at market conditions or may use them otherwise in the interest of the Company. | préférentiel et le moment à partir duquel les actions donneront droit à des dividendes. A cet effet, le Conseil d'administration peut émettre des nouvelles actions par voie de prise ferme par un établissement financier, un consortium bancaire ou un tiers et d'offre subséquente de ces actions aux actionnaires actuels ou à des tiers (si les droits de souscription préférentiels des actionnaires actuels ont été supprimés ou qu'ils n'ont pas été valablement exercés). Le Conseil d'administration est en droit d'autoriser, de limiter ou d'exclure le négoce des droits de souscription préférentiels. Le Conseil d'administration peut laisser s'éteindre les droits de souscription préférentiels non exercés; il peut aussi aliéner ceux-ci, respectivement les actions pour lesquelles des droits de souscription ont été accordés sans toutefois être exercés, aux conditions du marché ou les utiliser autrement dans l'intérêt de la Société. | |||
| 4 The Board of Directors is further authorized to withdraw or restrict pre-emptive rights of existing shareholders and to allocate such rights to third parties, the Company or any of its group companies: | 4 Le Conseil d'administration peut aussi exclure ou limiter les droits de souscription préférentiels des actionnaires actuels et les attribuer à des tiers, à la Société ou à une des sociétés du groupe: | |||
|
(a) if the issue price of the new shares is determined by reference to the market price; or |
(a) si le prix d'émission des nouvelles actions est déterminé en fonction du prix du marché; ou | |||
|
(b) for raising capital in a fast and flexible manner, which would not be possible, or might only be possible with great difficulty or delays or at significantly less favorable conditions, without the exclusion of the pre-emptive rights of existing shareholders; or |
(b) pour créer des fonds de manière rapide et flexible, ce qui ne serait pas possible ou possible qu'avec difficulté ou tardivement ou à des conditions nettement plus défavorables sans l'exclusion des droits de souscription préférentiels des actionnaires actuels; ou | |||
|
(c) for the acquisition of companies, part(s) of companies or participations, for the acquisition of products, intellectual property or licenses by or for investment projects of the Company or any of its group companies, or for the financing or refinancing of any of such transactions through a placement of shares; or |
(c) pour l'acquisition de sociétés, de partie(s) de sociétés ou de participations, pour l'acquisition de produits, de droits de propriété intellectuelle, ou licences par ou pour des projets d'investissement de la Société ou de l'une des sociétés du groupe, ou pour le financement ou le refinancement de telles transactions par le placement d'actions; ou |
4 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
|
(d) for purposes of broadening the shareholder constituency of the Company in certain geographic, financial or investor markets, for purposes of the participation of strategic partners, or in connection with the listing of new shares on domestic or foreign stock exchanges; or |
(d) pour élargir le cercle des actionnaires de la Société dans certains marchés géographiques, financiers ou d'investisseurs, pour permettre la participation de partenaires stratégiques, ou en relation avec la cotation de nouvelles actions sur des bourses nationales ou étrangères; ou | |||
|
(e) for purposes of granting an over-allotment option (Greenshoe) or an option to subscribe for additional shares in a placement or sale of shares to the respective initial purchaser(s) or underwriter(s); or |
(e) pour octroyer une option de surallocation (Greenshoe) ou une option de souscription d'actions supplémentaires lors d'un placement ou de la vente d'actions à un ou plusieurs acheteurs initiaux ou souscripteurs; ou | |||
|
(f) for the participation of members of the Board of Directors, members of the executive management, employees, contractors, consultants or other persons performing services for the benefit of the Company or any of its group companies; or |
(f) pour la participation de membres du Conseil d'administration, de membres de la direction, d'employés, de co-contractants, de consultants ou d'autres personnes exerçant des services au bénéfice de la Société ou de l'une des sociétés du groupe; ou | |||
|
(g) following a shareholder or a group of shareholders acting in concert having accumulated shareholdings in excess of 20% of the share capital registered in the commercial register without having submitted to all other shareholders a takeover offer recommended by the Board of Directors; or |
(g) si un actionnaire ou un groupe d'actionnaires agissant de concert a acquis ou réuni une participation de plus de 20% du capital-actions inscrit au registre du commerce sans avoir présenté à tous les autres actionnaires une offre publique d'achat dont l'acceptation a été recommandée par le Conseil d'administration; ou | |||
|
(h) for the defense of an actual, threatened or potential takeover bid that the Board of Directors, upon consultation with an independent financial adviser retained by it, has not recommended or will not recommend to the shareholders to accept on the basis that the Board of Directors does not find such takeover bid to be financially fair to the shareholders or not to be in the Company's interest. |
(h) pour se défendre contre une offre publique d'achat hostile présentée, menaçante ou potentielle dont le rejet est, respectivement sera, recommandé par le Conseil d'administration, après consultation d'un conseiller financier indépendant qu'il aura choisi, dans la mesure où le Conseil d'administration estime que l'offre publique d'achat n'est pas équitable d'un point de vue financier vis-à-vis des actionnaires ou n'est pas dans l'intérêt de la Société. | |||
5 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Article 4b | Article 4b | |||
| Conditional Share Capital for Employee Participation | 1 The share capital may be increased in an amount not to exceed CHF 936,000.00 through the issuance of up to 11,700,000 fully paid in registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share through the direct or indirect issuance of shares, options or related subscription rights to members of the Board of Directors, members of the executive management, employees, contractors or consultants of the Company or its group companies, or other persons providing services to the Company or its group companies. | Capital-actions conditionnel pour la participation des employés | 1 Le capital-actions peut être augmenté d'un montant maximum de CHF 936'000.00 par l'émission de 11'700'000 actions nominatives au plus, d'une valeur nominale de CHF 0.08 chacune, qui doivent être intégralement libérées, par l'émission directe ou indirecte d'actions, d'options ou de droits de souscription y relatifs, octroyés aux membres du Conseil d'administration, aux membres de la direction, ou aux employés, co-contractants ou consultants de la Société ou de l'une des sociétés du groupe, ou d'autres personnes exerçant des services au bénéfice de la Société ou de l'une des sociétés du groupe. | |
| 2 The pre-emptive rights and advance subscription rights of the shareholders of the Company shall be excluded in connection with the issuance of any shares, options, other rights to receive shares, or subscription rights therefor. Shares, options, other rights to receive shares, or subscription rights therefor shall be issued pursuant to one or more regulations to be issued by the Board of Directors or, to the extent delegated to it, the Compensation Committee, and to the extent applicable, taking into account the compensation principles pursuant to Article 28 of these articles of association. Shares, options, other rights to receive shares, or subscription rights therefor may be issued at a price or with an exercise price lower than the market price. | 2 Le droit de souscription préférentiel ainsi que le droit de souscription préalable des actionnaires de la Société sont exclus en relation avec l'émission de toutes actions, options, autres droits à recevoir des actions ou des droits de souscription qui y sont attachés. L'émission d'actions, d'options, d'autres droits à recevoir des actions ou des droits de souscription qui y sont attachés est faite selon un ou plusieurs règlements adoptés par le Conseil d'administration ou le Comité de rémunération, dans la mesure où cette compétence lui a été déléguée, et le cas échéant en tenant compte des principes de rémunération selon l'article 28 des présents statuts. L'émission d'actions, d'options, d'autres droits à recevoir des actions ou des droits de souscription qui y sont attachés peut se faire à un prix ou avec un prix d'exercice en-dessous du prix du marché. | |||
| 3 The direct or indirect acquisition of the new shares by persons listed in paragraph 1 in connection with an employee participation program and any subsequent transfer of such shares shall be subject to the restrictions of Article 6 of these articles of association. | 3 L'acquisition directe ou indirecte de nouvelles actions par des personnes mentionnées à l'alinéa 1 dans le cadre d'un programme de participation des collaborateurs ainsi que le transfert subséquent de ces actions sont assujettis aux restrictions à la transmissibilité conformément à l'article 6 des présents statuts. | |||
6 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Article 4c | Article 4c | |||
| Conditional Share Capital for Financing, Acquisitions and other Purposes | 1 The share capital may be increased including in connection with an intended takeover in an amount not to exceed CHF 1,432,776.24 through the issuance of up to 17,909,703 fully paid in registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.08 per share through the exercise or mandatory exercise of conversion, exchange, option, warrant or similar rights or obligations for the subscription of shares granted to shareholders or third parties on a stand-alone basis or in connection with bonds, notes, options, warrants or other securities or contractual obligations of the Company or any of its group companies, including without limitation a convertible debenture to be entered into by the Company, as may be amended or novated from time to time (hereinafter collectively, the Financial Instruments). | Capital-actions conditionnel aux fins de financement, acquisitions ou d'autres buts | 1 Le capital-actions peut être augmenté, y compris en lien avec une future offre publique d'acquisition, d'un montant maximum de CHF 1'432'776.24 par l'émission de 17'909'703 actions nominatives au plus, d'une valeur nominale de CHF 0.08 chacune, qui doivent être intégralement libérées par l'exercice ou l'exercice obligatoire de droits de conversion, d'échange, d'option, de warrant ou d'autres droits ou obligations similaires pour la souscription d'actions octroyés aux actionnaires ou à des tiers de manière autonome ou en rapport avec des obligations, effets, options, warrants ou autres instruments financiers ou obligations contractuelles de la Société ou de l'une des sociétés du groupe, y compris, mais sans s'y limiter, une débenture convertible de la société, laquelle peut être amenée à être modifiée ou actualisée (ci-après désignés collectivement les Instruments Financiers). | |
| 2 The pre-emptive rights of shareholders shall be excluded for the exercise of any Financial Instruments in connection with the issuance of shares. The then-current owners of such Financial Instruments shall be entitled to acquire the new shares issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Financial Instruments. The key conditions of the Financial Instruments shall be determined by the Board of Directors. | 2 Le droit de souscription préférentiel des actionnaires est exclu en relation avec l'émission d'actions à l'occasion de l'exercice d'Instruments Financiers. Les personnes qui détiendront alors de tels Instruments Financiers seront en droit d'acquérir les nouvelles actions émises à l'occasion de la conversion, de l'échange ou de l'exercice d'Instruments Financiers. Le Conseil d'administration détermine les principales conditions des Instruments Financiers. | |||
| 3 The Board of Directors shall be authorized to restrict or withdraw advance subscription rights of shareholders in connection with the issuance of Financial Instruments by the Company or one of its group companies (1) if the issuance is for purposes of financing or refinancing, or the payment for, the acquisition of companies, parts of a company, participations, intellectual property rights, | 3 Le Conseil d'administration est autorisé à limiter ou retirer le droit de souscription préalable des actionnaires en relation avec l'émission d'Instruments Financiers par la Société ou une des sociétés du groupe (1) si l'émission a pour but le financement, le refinancement ou le paiement de l'acquisition d'entreprises, de parties d'une entreprise, de participations, de droits de propriété |
7 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| licenses or investments, (2) if the issuance occurs in domestic or international capital markets or through a private placement, (3) following a shareholder or a group of shareholders acting in concert having accumulated shareholdings in excess of 20% of the share capital registered in the commercial register without having submitted to all other shareholders a takeover offer recommended by the Board of Directors, or (4) for the defense of an actual, threatened or potential takeover bid that the Board of Directors, upon consultation with an independent financial adviser retained by it, has not recommended or will not recommend to the shareholders to accept on the basis that the Board of Directors does not find such takeover bid to be financially fair to the shareholders or not in the Company's interest. If the advance subscription rights are neither granted directly nor indirectly by the Board of Directors, the following shall apply: | intellectuelle, de licences ou d'investissements, (2) si l'émission a lieu sur les marchés de capitaux nationaux ou internationaux ou par le biais d'un placement privé, (3) si un actionnaire ou un groupe d'actionnaires agissant de concert a acquis ou réuni une participation de plus de 20% du capital-actions inscrit au registre du commerce sans avoir présenté à tous les autres actionnaires une offre publique d'achat dont l'acceptation a été recommandée par le Conseil d'administration, ou (4) pour se défendre contre une offre publique d'achat hostile présentée, menaçante ou potentielle dont le rejet est, respectivement sera, recommandé par le Conseil d'administration, après consultation d'un conseiller financier indépendant qu'il aura choisi, dans la mesure où le Conseil d'administration estime que l'offre publique d'achat n'est pas équitable d'un point de vue financier vis-à-vis des actionnaires ou n'est pas dans l'intérêt de la Société. Si le droit de souscription préalable n'est pas accordé, de manière directe ou indirecte, par le Conseil d'administration, les règles suivantes s'appliquent: | |||
|
(a) the Financial Instruments shall be issued or entered into at market conditions; |
(a) les Instruments Financiers sont émis ou conclus aux conditions du marché; | |||
|
(b) the Financial Instruments may be converted, exchanged or exercised during a maximum period of 10 years from the date of issuance or contract conclusion; and |
(b) les Instruments Financiers peuvent être convertis, échangés ou exercés durant une période maximale de 10 ans suivant la date de l'émission ou de la conclusion du contrat; et | |||
|
(c) the conversion, exchange or exercise price of the Financial Instruments shall be set with reference to, and/or shall be subject to change based upon, the valuation of the Company's equity and/or market conditions. |
(c) le prix de conversion, d'échange ou d'exercice des Instruments Financiers est fixé en prenant en compte, et/ou peut être modifié en fonction, de la valorisation des fonds propres de la société et/ou des conditions du marché. | |||
| 4 The direct or indirect acquisition of the new shares acquired through the exercise of Financial Instruments and any subsequent transfer of such shares shall be subject to the restrictions of Article 6 of these articles of association. | 4 L'acquisition de nouvelles actions acquises directement ou indirectement par l'exercice d'Instruments Financiers ainsi que le transfert subséquent de ces actions sont assujettis aux restrictions à la transmissibilité conformément à l'article 6 des présents statuts. | |||
8 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Article 5 | Article 5 | |||
| Share Certificates and Intermediated Securities | 1 The Company may issue its registered shares in the form of single certificates, global certificates and uncertificated securities. Subject to applicable law, the Company may convert its registered shares from one form into another form at any time and without the approval of the shareholders. The Company shall bear the cost associated with any such conversion. | Certificats d'actions et titres intermédiés | 1 La Société émet ses actions nominatives sous forme de certificats individuels, de certificats globaux ou de droits-valeurs. La Société est libre, dans les limites du droit applicable, en tout temps et sans l'approbation des actionnaires, de convertir ses actions nominatives émises sous l'une des formes ci-dessus, en une autre forme. La Société supporte les coûts d'une telle conversion. | |
| 2 A shareholder has no right to request a conversion of the registered shares issued in one form into another form. Each shareholder may, however, at any time request from the Company a written confirmation of the registered shares held by such shareholder, as reflected in the share register. | 2 Un actionnaire n'a pas le droit de réclamer la conversion d'actions nominatives émises sous une certaine forme en une autre forme. Chaque actionnaire peut toutefois exiger en tout temps que la Société établisse une attestation relative aux actions nominatives qu'il détient selon le registre des actions. | |||
| 3 Intermediated securities based on registered shares of the Company cannot be transferred by way of assignment. A security interest in any such intermediated securities also cannot be granted by way of assignment. | 3 Les titres intermédiés fondés sur des actions nominatives de la Société ne peuvent pas être transférés par cession. Il ne peut pas non plus être constitué de sûretés par cession sur ces titres intermédiés. | |||
| Article 6 | Article 6 | |||
| Share Register, Restrictions on Registration, Nominees | 1 The Company shall maintain, itself or through a third party, a share register for the registered shares that lists the surname and name (the name of the company in case of a legal entity), the address and domicile (the registered office in case of a legal entity) of the shareholders or usufructuaries. A person registered in the share register shall notify the share registrar of any change of address. Until such notification has occurred, all written communications from the Company to persons registered in the share register shall be deemed to | Registre des actions, limitations à l'inscription, Nominees | 1 La Société ou un tiers mandaté par elle tient un registre des actions qui mentionne le nom et le prénom (la raison sociale pour les personnes morales), l'adresse et le domicile (le siège pour les personnes morales) des propriétaires et des usufruitiers. Si une personne inscrite au registre des actions change d'adresse, elle doit le communiquer à la personne en charge de la tenue du registre. Aussi longtemps que cette communication n'a pas eu lieu, toutes les communications écrites de la Société aux personnes inscrites au registre des actions |
9 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| have validly been made if sent to the address previously recorded in the share register. | seront valablement envoyées à l'adresse inscrite au registre des actions. | |||
| 2 Persons acquiring shares shall be registered in the share register as shareholders with voting rights upon their request if they expressly declare to have acquired these shares in their own name and for their own account. Subject to paragraph 4 of this Article 6 and article 685d para. 3 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, no person or entity shall be registered in the share register as a shareholder with voting rights for, and no person or entity may directly or indirectly, formally, constructively or beneficially own, or otherwise control alone or together with third parties voting rights (whether exercisable or not) with respect to more than 15% of the share capital as set forth in the commercial register as a shareholder with voting rights. This restriction shall also apply to persons or entities who hold some or all of their shares through Nominees (as defined in paragraph 4 of this Article 6). | 2 Les personnes qui acquièrent des actions sont inscrites dans le registre des actions, à leur demande, comme actionnaires avec droit de vote, pour autant qu'ils déclarent expressément avoir acquis les actions en leur nom et pour leur propre compte. Sous réserve de l'alinéa 4 du présent article 6 et de l'article 685d al. 3 du Code des obligations, aucune personne physique ou morale ne peut être inscrite au registre des actions comme actionnaire avec droit de vote et aucune personne physique ou morale ne peut détenir, directement ou indirectement, formellement, de fait ou comme ayant droit économique, ou contrôler autrement, seul ou avec des tiers, des droits de vote (exerçables ou non), par rapport à plus de 15% du capital-actions inscrit au registre du commerce en tant qu'actionnaire avec droit de vote. Cette restriction s'applique également aux personnes ou entités qui détiennent tout ou partie de leurs actions par l'intermédiaire de Nominees (tels que définis à l'alinéa 4 du présent article 6). | |||
| 3 Subject to Art. 652b para. 3 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, this transfer restriction also applies in the case of the acquisition of shares by the exercise of subscription, option and conversion rights. The transfer restriction does not apply to acquisitions by inheritance, division of an estate or matrimonial property law. | 3 Sous réserve de l'art. 652b al. 3 CO, les restrictions au transfert s'appliquent également lors de l'acquisition d'actions dans le cadre de l'exercice d'un droit de souscription, d'option ou de conversion. Les restrictions au transfert ne s'appliquent pas lors d'acquisitions par succession, partage successoral ou en vertu du droit matrimonial. | |||
| 4 The Board of Directors may, in its own discretion, register persons who declare in the registration application that they hold the shares as nominees (each a Nominee) on behalf of third party beneficiaries (each a Beneficial Owner) in the share register as shareholders with voting rights. If, however, any Beneficial Owner should as a result of such registration being made or upheld, directly or indirectly, formally, constructively or | 4 Le Conseil d'administration peut, à son entière discretion inscrire les personnes qui déclarent dans leur requête d'inscription qu'elles détiennent les actions en tant que nominees (chacun un Nominee) pour le compte de tiers ayants droit économiques (chacun un Ayant Droit Economique) en tant qu'actionnaires avec droit de vote. Toutefois, si suite à l'inscription ou à la confirmation de l'inscription, un Ayant Droit Economique détient |
10 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| beneficially own, or otherwise control or direct, alone or together with third parties, voting rights (whether exercisable or not) with respect to more than 15% of the share capital as set forth in the commercial register, the Board of Directors may cancel the registration of the Nominee holding shares for the account of such Beneficial Owner with respect to any shares in excess of such limit. The Board of Directors may make the registration with voting rights of the shares held by a Nominee subject to conditions, limitations and reporting requirements or may impose or adjust such conditions, limitations and requirements once registered. | directement ou indirectement, formellement, de fait ou comme ayant droit économique, ou contrôle ou dirige autrement, seul ou avec des tiers, des droits de votes (exerçables ou non) par rapport à plus de 15% du capital-actions inscrit au registre du commerce, le Conseil d'administration peut annuler l'inscription du Nominee détenant les actions pour le compte d'un tel Ayant Droit Economique pour les actions dépassant cette limite. Le Conseil d'administration peut soumettre l'inscription avec droit de vote des actions détenues par un Nominee à des conditions, limitations, exigences de rapports ou peut imposer de telles conditions, limitiations ou exigences suite à l'inscription. | |||
| 5 Legal entities and partnerships or other groups of persons or joint owners who are interrelated to one another through capital ownership, voting rights, uniform management or are otherwise linked, as well as individuals or legal entities or partnerships who act in concert or otherwise act in a coordinated manner or acquire shares indirectly, thereby circumventing the restrictions or limits pursuant to paragraph 2 or 4 of this article 6 shall be treated as one single person, entity, Nominee or as a person acquiring shares, as applicable, for purposes of paragraphs 2 and 4 of this article 6. | 5 Les personnes morales et communautés de personnes ou autres groupes de personnes ou de copropriétaires qui sont liés par le capital, les droits de vote, la gestion commune ou de toute autre manière, de même que les personnes physiques ou morales ou communautés de personnes qui agissent de concert ou de manière coordonnée ou acquièrent indirectement des actions, et contournent ainsi les restrictions ou limites visées aux alinéas 2 ou 4 du présent article 6 sont traités comme une seule personne, personne morale, Nominee ou comme une personne acquérant des actions, selon le cas, aux fins des alinéas 2 et 4 du présent article 6. | |||
| 6 The Board of Directors may grant exceptions from the restrictions or limits pursuant to paragraph 2 or 4 of this article 6 for justified reasons with the majority vote of two thirds of all its members. A justified reason may include the situation where a person extends an offer to purchase with respect to all other shares of the Company, which the Board of Directors, after having consulted an independent financial advisor, recommends to the shareholders. Shareholders, other than Nominees, already being registered directly or through a Nominee with more than 15% at the time that this article takes | 6 Le Conseil d'administration peut octroyer des dérogations aux restrictions et limites mentionnées aux alinéas 2 ou 4 du présent article 6 pour des raisons justifiées, à la majorité des deux tiers de l'ensemble de ses membres. Peut aussi être considérée comme une raison justifiée le fait qu'une personne étende une offre d'achat par rapport à l'ensemble des autres actions de la Société et que le Conseil d'administration, après avoir consulté un conseiller financier indépendant, recommande aux actionnaires d'accepter cette offre. Les actionnaires autres que les Nominees déjà inscrits directement ou |
11 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| effect remain registered with voting rights for such shares. | par l'intermédiaire d'un Nominee pour plus de 15% au moment où le présent article entre en vigueur demeurent enregistrés avec droit de vote pour ces actions. | |||
| 7 After hearing the registered shareholder or Nominee, the Board of Directors may cancel such person's registration in the share register with retroactive effect as of the date of registration if such registration was made based on false or misleading information or if such information becomes untrue or misleading. The relevant shareholder or Nominee shall be promptly informed of the cancellation. | 7 Le Conseil d'administration peut, après avoir entendu l'actionnaire ou le Nominee, radier du registre des actions l'inscription qui a été faite sur la base d'informations fausses ou trompeuses données par l'acquéreur, ou si les informations deviennent fausses ou trompeuses. L'actionnaire ou le Nominee doit être informé immédiatement de la radiation. | |||
| 8 The Board of Directors shall regulate all details and issue the instructions necessary to ensure compliance with the preceding provisions. The Board of Directors may delegate its duties. | 8 Le Conseil d'administration règle les détails et prend les mesures nécessaires au respect des dispositions ci-dessus. Le Conseil d'administration peut déléguer ses tâches. | |||
| Article 7 | Article 7 | |||
| Exercise of Rights | 1 The Company shall only accept one representative per share. | Exercice des droits | 1 La Société ne reconnaît qu'un représentant par action. | |
| 2 The voting right and the rights associated therewith may be exercised vis-à-vis the Company by a shareholder, usufructuary or Nominee only to the extent that such person is registered in the share register with voting rights. | 2 Le droit de vote et les droits y relatifs ne peuvent être exercés à l'égard de la Société que par un actionnaire, un usufruitier ou un Nominee uniquement dans la mesure où celui-ci est inscrit avec droit de vote au registre des actions. | |||
12 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
|
Section 3 Corporate Bodies |
Section 3 Organes | |||
| A. The General Meeting of Shareholders | A. L'Assemblée générale | |||
| Article 8 | Article 8 | |||
| Powers of the General Meeting of Shareholders | 1 The General Meeting of Shareholders is the supreme corporate body of the Company. | Pouvoirs de l'Assemblée générale | 1 L'Assemblée générale est l'organe suprême de la Société. | |
| 2 The General Meeting of Shareholders shall have the following inalienable powers: | 2 L'Assemblée générale a le droit inaliénable: | |||
|
1. the adoption and amendment of these articles of association; |
1. d'adopter et de modifier les présents statuts; | |||
|
2. the election of the members of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the members of the Compensation Committee; |
2. de nommer les membres du Conseil d'administration, le président du Conseil d'administration et les membres du Comité de rémunération; | |||
|
3. the election of the Auditors; |
3. de nommer l'organe de révision; | |||
|
4. the election of the independent voting rights representative; |
4. de nommer le représentant indépendant; | |||
|
5. the approval of the annual management report and the consolidated financial statements; |
5. d’approuver le rapport annuel et les comptes consolidés; | |||
|
6. the approval of the annual financial statements as well as the resolution on the allocation of profit shown on the balance sheet, in particular the determination of dividends; |
6. d'approuver les comptes annuels et de déterminer l'emploi du bénéfice résultant du bilan, en particulier de fixer le dividende; | |||
|
7. the discharge from liability of the members of the Board of Directors and the persons entrusted with management; |
7. de donner décharge aux membres du Conseil d'administration et aux personnes chargées de la gestion; | |||
|
8. the approval of the compensation of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee pursuant to Article 26 of these articles of association; and |
8. d'approuver la rémunération du Conseil d'administration et de la Direction exécutive selon l'article 26 des présents statuts; et |
13 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
|
9. the adoption of resolutions on matters that are reserved to the General Meeting of Shareholders by law or these articles of association or that are, subject to article 716a CO, submitted to the General Meeting of Shareholders by the Board of Directors. |
9. de prendre toutes les décisions qui lui sont réservées par la loi ou les présents statuts ou qui lui sont soumises par le Conseil d’administration, sous réserve de l’article 716a CO. | |||
| Article 9 | Article 9 | |||
| Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders | 1 The Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall be held each year within six months of the close of the financial year of the Company. | Assemblées générales ordinaires et extraordinaires | 1 L'Assemblée générale ordinaire a lieu chaque année dans les six mois qui suivent la clôture de l'exercice de la Société. | |
| 2 Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders shall be held if | 2 Des Assemblées générales extraordinaires ont lieu lorsque | |||
|
(a) the Board of Directors or the Auditors deem it necessary; |
(a) le Conseil d'administration ou l'organe de révision l'estime nécessaire; | |||
|
(b) so resolved by a General Meeting of Shareholders; or |
(b) une Assemblée générale le décide; ou | |||
|
(c) shareholders who hold, alone or together, shares representing at least 10% of the share capital so request in writing, indicating the matters to be discussed and the corresponding proposals and, in case of elections, the names of the nominated candidates. |
(c) des actionnaires représentant seuls ou ensemble 10% au moins du capital-actions le requièrent par écrit en indiquant les objets de discussion et les propositions, et en cas d'élections, les noms des candidats proposés. | |||
| Article 10 | Article 10 | |||
| Notice | 1 Notice of a General Meeting of Shareholders shall be given by the Board of Directors or, if necessary, by the Auditors, no later than 20 calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. Liquidators and representatives of bond-holders are also entitled to call a General Meeting of Shareholders. | Convocation | 1 L'Assemblée générale est convoquée par le Conseil d'administration ou, si nécessaire, par l'organe de révision au plus tard 20 jours calendaires avant le jour de l'assemblée. Les liquidateurs et les représentants de détenteurs d'obligations ont également le droit de convoquer l'Assemblée générale. |
14 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| 2 Notice of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall be given by way of a single announcement in the official means of publication of the Company pursuant to Article 36 of these articles of association. Registered shareholders may in addition be notified in writing. | 2 La convocation à l'Assemblée générale a lieu par une annonce unique dans l'organe de publication de la Société selon l'article 36 des présents statuts. La convocation peut également être envoyée par écrit aux actionnaires inscrits. | |||
| 3 The annual report, the compensation report and the Auditors' reports shall be made available for inspection by the shareholders at the registered office of the Company no later than 20 calendar days prior to the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Registered shareholders shall be informed in writing in the notice. | 3 Le rapport de gestion, le rapport de rémunération et les rapports de révision sont mis à la disposition des actionnaires au siège de la Société au plus tard 20 jours calendaires avant l'Assemblée générale ordinaire. Les actionnaires inscrits doivent en être informés par écrit dans la convocation. | |||
| 4 The notice shall specify the items on the agenda as well as the proposals of the Board of Directors and the shareholder(s) who requested that a General Meeting of Shareholders be held or an item be included on the agenda and, in the event of elections, the names of the proposed candidates. | 4 La convocation mentionne les objets portés à l'ordre du jour ainsi que les propositions du Conseil d'administration et du ou des actionnaires qui ont demandé la convocation de l'Assemblée générale ou l'inscription d'un objet à l'ordre du jour et, en cas d'élections, les noms des candidats proposés. | |||
| Article 11 | Article 11 | |||
| Agenda | 1 Shareholders who, alone or together, either hold shares with a par value of at least CHF 1,000,000 or who represent at least 10% of the share capital may request that an item be included on the agenda. Such request must be made in writing and be received at the registered office of the Company at least 45 calendar days prior to the General Meeting of Shareholders, specifying the agenda item and the proposals of the shareholders. | Objets à l'ordre du jour | 1 Des actionnaires qui représentent seuls ou ensemble des actions totalisant une valeur nominale d'au moins CHF 1'000'000 ou qui représentent au moins 10% du capital-actions peuvent requérir l'inscription d'un objet à l'ordre du jour. La demande doit être faite par écrit et reçue au siège de la Société au moins 45 jours calendaires avant l'Assemblée générale avec indication des objets à l'ordre du jour et des propositions des actionnaires. | |
| 2 No resolutions may be passed at a General Meeting of Shareholders on proposals concerning agenda items for which proper notice was not given. This provision shall not apply, however, to proposals made during a General Meeting of Shareholders to convene an Extraordinary | 2 Aucune décision ne peut être prise par l'Assemblée générale sur des objets qui n'ont pas été dûment portés à l'ordre du jour, à l'exception des propositions de convoquer une Assemblée générale extraordinaire et d'instituer un contrôle spécial. Toute requête visant |
15 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| General Meeting of Shareholders or to initiate a special audit. Each request for inclusion of an item on the agenda shall include (i) a brief description of the agenda item and the reason for which it is to be discussed at the meeting; (ii) the motions regarding the agenda item; (iii) the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s register of shareholders, of the shareholder proposing such business; (iv) the number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by such shareholder; (v) the dates upon which the shareholder acquired such shares; (vi) documentary support for any claim of beneficial ownership; (vii) any material interest of such shareholder in including the item in the agenda; (viii) a statement in support of the matter; and (ix) all other information required under applicable law and stock exchange rules. | l'inscription d'un objet à l'ordre du jour doit inclure (i) une brève description de cet objet et la raison pour laquelle il doit être discuté lors de l'Asemblée générale; (ii) les propositions relatives à cet objet; (iii) le nom et l'adresse, tels qu'ils apparaissent dans le registre des actions, de l'actionnaire proposant un tel objet; (iv) le nombre d'actions de la Société dont cet actionnaire est ayant droit économique; (v) les dates auxquelles l'actionnaire a acquis ces actions; (vi) les pièces justificatives démontrant le statut d'ayant droit économique; (vii) l'intérêt important de l'actionnaire à l'inscription de l'objet à l'ordre du jour; (viii) une déclaration à l'appui de la requête; et (ix) toute autre information requise par la loi ou les règles boursières applicables. | |||
| 3 No prior notice is required to bring motions related to items already on the agenda or for the discussion of matters on which no resolution is to be taken. | 3 En revanche, il n'est pas nécessaire d'annoncer à l'avance les propositions entrant dans le cadre des objets portés à l'ordre du jour ni les délibérations qui ne doivent pas être suivies d'un vote. | |||
| Article 12 | Article 12 | |||
| Chairman, Vote Counters, Minutes | 1 The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall chair the General Meeting of Shareholders. In his absence, the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, another member or a person designated by the Board of Directors shall chair the General Meeting of Shareholders. If no member of the Board of Directors is available and no other person has been designated by the Board of Directors, the acting chair shall be elected by the General Meeting of Shareholders. | Présidence, scrutateurs, procès-verbal | 1 Le président du Conseil d'administration préside l'Assemblée générale. En son absence, le vice-président du Conseil d'administration, un autre membre ou une personne désignée par le Conseil d'administration préside l'Assemblée générale. Si aucun membre du Conseil d'administration n'est disponible et aucune personne n'a été désignée par le Conseil d'administration, l'Assemblée générale élit son président. | |
| 2 The acting chair of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall appoint the secretary and the vote counter(s), none of whom need be shareholders. The minutes shall be signed by the acting chair of the General Meeting of Shareholders and the secretary. | 2 Le président de l'Assemblée générale désigne un rédacteur du procès-verbal et le ou les scrutateurs, qui ne doivent pas nécessairement être des actionnaires. Le procès-verbal doit être signé par le président de l'Assemblée générale et le secrétaire. |
16 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| 3 The acting chair of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall have all powers and authority necessary and appropriate to ensure the orderly conduct of the General Meeting of Shareholders. | 3 Le président de l'Assemblée générale a tous les pouvoirs nécessaires et appropriés pour s'assurer de la conduite régulière de l'Assemblée générale. | |||
| Article 13 | Article 13 | |||
| Voting Rights, Representation | 1 Each share shall convey the right to one vote. The voting rights are subject to the conditions of Articles 6 and 7 of these articles of association. | Droit de vote, représentation | 1 Chaque action donne droit à une voix. Les droits de vote sont soumis aux conditions des articles 6 et 7 des présents statuts. | |
| 2 The Board of Directors shall issue the rules regarding the participation in and representation at the General Meeting of Shareholders and determine the requirements as to proxies and instructions. A shareholder may only be represented at the General Meeting of Shareholders by the independent voting rights representative, its legal representative or, by means of a written proxy, by another shareholder with the right to vote. All shares held by a shareholder may only be represented by one person. | 2 Le Conseil d'administration prend les dispositions relatives à la participation et à la représentation à l'Assemblée générale et détermine les exigences applicables aux procurations et instructions. Un actionnaire ne peut être représenté à l'Assemblée générale que par le représentant indépendant, par son représentant légal ou, au moyen d'une procuration écrite, par un autre actionnaire ayant droit de vote. Toutes les actions détenues par un actionnaire ne peuvent être représentées que par une seule personne. | |||
| 3 The General Meeting of Shareholders shall elect the independent voting rights representative for a term of office until completion of the next Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Re-election is possible. | 3 L'Assemblée générale nomme le représentant indépendant pour une durée de fonctions s’achevant à la fin de l’Assemblée générale ordinaire suivante. La réélection est possible. | |||
| 4 If the Company does not have an independent voting rights representative, the Board of Directors shall appoint the independent voting rights representative for the next General Meeting of Shareholders. | 4 Dans le cas où la Société n'a pas de représentant indépendant, le Conseil d'administration nommera le représentant indépendant pour l'Assemblée générale suivante. | |||
| Article 14 | Article 14 | |||
| Resolutions, Elections | 1 The General Meeting of Shareholders shall pass its resolutions and decide its elections by the absolute ma | Décisions, élections | 1 Les décisions de l'Assemblée générale sont prises à la majorité absolue des voix attribuées aux actions repré |
17 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| jority of the votes attached to the shares represented, unless required otherwise by law or these articles of association. In the event of a tie, the resolution shall be deemed refused. | sentées, à moins que la loi ou les présents statuts n'en disposent autrement. En cas d'égalité de voix, la décision est refusée. | |||
| 2 Two thirds of the votes represented and the absolute majority of the par value of shares represented shall be required for the General Meeting of Shareholders to adopt resolutions on the following matters: | 2 Une décision de l'Assemblée générale recueillant au moins les deux tiers des voix attribuées aux actions représentées et la majorité absolue des valeurs nominales représentées est nécessaire pour: | |||
|
1. the amendment of the purpose of the Company; |
1. la modification du but social de la Société; | |||
|
2. the creation of shares with privileged voting rights; |
2. l'introduction d'actions à droit de vote privilégié; | |||
|
3. the restriction on the transferability of registered shares or their registration with voting rights and the cancelation of such a restriction; |
3. la restriction de la transmissibilité des actions nominatives ou leur inscription avec droit de vote ainsi que la suppression d'une telle restriction; | |||
|
4. an authorized or conditional increase in share capital; |
4. l'augmentation autorisée ou conditionnelle du capital-actions; | |||
|
5. an increase in share capital through the conversion of equity surplus, against contributions in kind or for purposes of an acquisition of assets, or the granting of special benefits; |
5. l'augmentation du capital-actions au moyen de la conversion de fonds propres, contre apport en nature ou en vue d'une reprise de biens et l'octroi d'avantages particuliers; | |||
|
6. the limitation or withdrawal of pre-emptive rights; |
6. la limitation ou la suppression du droit de souscription préférentiel; | |||
|
7. the relocation of the registered office of the Company; |
7. le transfert du siège de la Société; | |||
|
8. the dissolution of the Company; |
8. la dissolution de la Société; | |||
|
9. mergers, demergers and conversions pursuant to the Merger Act; |
9. une fusion, scission ou transformation conformément à la Loi sur la fusion; | |||
|
10. the conversion of registered shares into bearer shares;
11. the removal of any member of the Board of Directors or of its Chairman before the end of his or her term of office; and |
10. la conversion d'actions nominatives en actions au porteur;
11. la révocation de tout membre du Conseil d'administration ou de son président avant la fin de son mandat; et |
18 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
|
12. the amendment or repeal of the following provisions of these articles of association, with the exception of editorial amendments that do not effectively change their content: (i) article 6; (ii) article 14; (iii) article 15; and (iv) article 18. |
12. la modification ou la suppression des dispositions suivantes des présents statuts, à l'exception des modifications rédactionnelles qui ne modifient pas effectivement leur contenu: (i) article 6; (ii) article 14; (iii) article 15; et (iv) article 18. | |||
| 3 Resolutions and elections shall be decided by open ballot, unless the acting chair of the General Meeting of Shareholders decides that a secret ballot be held or that it be voted by electronic means. The acting chair may at any time order that a resolution or election be repeated if he considers the vote to be in doubt. The resolution or election previously held shall then be deemed not to have taken place. | 3 Les décisions et élections ont lieu à main levée, à moins qu'un vote à bulletins secrets ou électronique ne soit ordonné par le président de l'Assemblée générale. Le président peut en tout temps ordonner qu'une décision ou élection soit répétée s'il estime qu'il existe des doutes sur le résultat. Dans ce cas, la décision ou l'élection précédente est réputée ne pas avoir eu lieu. | |||
| B. The Board of Directors | B. Le Conseil d'administration | |||
| Article 15 | Article 15 | |||
| Number of Directors | The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than 3 and no more than 12 members. | Nombre de membres | Le Conseil d'administration se compose de 3 membres au moins et de 12 membres au plus. | |
| Article 16 | Article 16 | |||
| Election and Term of Office | 1 The General Meeting of Shareholders shall elect the members of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Board of Directors individually and for a term of office until the completion of the next Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Re-election is possible. | Élection et durée des fonctions | 1 Les membres du Conseil d’administration et le président du Conseil d’administration sont élus individuellement par l’Assemblée générale pour une durée de fonctions s’achevant à la fin de l’Assemblée générale ordinaire suivante. La réélection est possible. | |
| 2 If the office of the Chairman of the Board of Directors is vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint a new | 2 Lorsque la fonction de président du Conseil d’administration est vacante, le Conseil d’administration |
19 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Chairman from among its members for a term of office extending until completion of the next Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. | désigne un nouveau président parmi ses membres pour une durée de fonctions s’achevant à la fin de l’Assemblée générale ordinaire suivante. | |||
| Article 17 | Article 17 | |||
| Organization of the Board of Directors | 1 Except for the election of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the members of the Compensation Committee by the General Meeting of Shareholders, the Board of Directors shall constitute itself. The Board of Directors may elect one or several Vice-Chairmen. The Board of Directors shall further appoint a secretary who need not be member of the Board of Directors. | Organisation du Conseil d'administration | 1 A l'exception de l'élection par l'Assemblée générale du président du Conseil d'administration et des membres du Comité de rémunération, le Conseil d'administration se constitue lui-même. Il peut désigner au besoin, un ou plusieurs vice-présidents. Le Conseil d'administration désigne en outre un secrétaire, qui ne doit pas nécessairement être membre du Conseil d'administration. | |
| 2 Subject to these articles of association, the Board of Directors shall regulate its organization and the adoption of resolutions in the organizational regulations. | 2 Le Conseil d'administration règle en outre son organisation et la manière de prendre des décisions dans un règlement d'organisation, sous réserve des présents statuts. | |||
| Article 18 | Article 18 | |||
| Reimbursement of Expenses, Indemnification | 1 The members of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to the reimbursement of all expenses incurred in the interest of the Company. | Remboursement des frais, indemnisation | 1 Les membres du Conseil d'administration ont droit au remboursement de tous les frais engagés dans l'intérêt de la Société. | |
| 2 To the extent not included in insurance coverage or paid by third parties, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, the existing and former members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and their heirs, executors and administrators, out of the assets of the Company from and against all threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings – whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative – and all costs, charges, losses, damages, and expenses which they or any of them, their heirs, executors or administrators, shall or may incur or sustain by or by reason of any actual or | 2 Dans la mesure où la loi le permet, la Société indemnisera, à concurrence de la portion non couverte par une assurance ou payée par un tiers, sur ses propres biens les membres actuels et passés du Conseil d'administration et de la Direction exécutive ainsi que leurs héritiers, masse en faillite ou masse successorale contre toutes actions, procès ou poursuites, menaçants, en cours ou terminés, de nature civile, pénale, administrative ou autre, et tous les coûts, dépenses, pertes, dommages et frais qu'ils (ou leurs héritiers, masse en faillite ou masse successorale) subiraient ou pourraient subir en raison d'actions, consentements ou omissions, effectifs ou |
20 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| alleged actions, consents or omissions in or about the execution of their duty, or alleged duty, or by reason of the fact that he is or was a member of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries, or, while serving as a member of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, member of the executive management, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; provided, however, that this indemnity shall not extend to any matter in which any of said persons is found, in a final judgment or decree of a court or governmental or administrative authority of competent jurisdiction not subject to appeal, to have committed an intentional or grossly negligent breach of his statutory duties as a member of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee. | présumés, en relation avec l'exercice de leurs fonctions, leurs fonctions supposées ou en raison du fait d'être ou d'avoir été membres du Conseil d'administration ou de la Direction exécutive de la Société ou de l'une de ses filiales ou, sur instruction de la Société en tant que membres du Conseil d'administration ou de la Direction exécutive, en raison du fait d'être ou d'avoir été administrateur, membre de la direction, employé ou mandataire d'une autre société, entreprise, coentreprise, personne morale dénuée de la personnalité ou trust. L'obligation d'indemnisation s'éteint dès qu'un jugement définitif et exécutoire d'un tribunal ou d'une autorité compétente a décidé que la personne en question a violé, volontairement ou par grave négligence, ses devoirs de membre du Conseil d'administration ou de la Direction exécutive. | |||
| 3 Without limiting the foregoing paragraph 2 of this Article 18, the Company shall advance costs and expenses idemnifiable thereunder to the existing and former members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee to the extent not included in insurance coverage or advanced by third parties. The Company may however recover such advanced costs if any of said persons is found, in a final judgment or decree of a court or governmental or administrative authority of competent jurisdiction not subject to appeal, to have committed an intentional or grossly negligent breach of his statutory duties as a member of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee. | 3 Sans préjudice de l'alinéa 2 du présent article 18, la Société avancera les frais et les coûts indemnisables en vertu de la disposition précitée aux membres actuels et passés du Conseil d'administration et de la Direction exécutive, à concurrence de la portion non couverte par une assurance ou payée par un tiers. La Société peut cependant recouvrer ces avances de frais si l'une de ces personnes a été reconnue coupable de violation intentionnelle ou par négligence grave de ses devoirs de membre du Conseil d'administration ou de la Direction exécutive par un jugement ou une décision final et exécutoire d'un tribunal ou d'une autorité gouvernementale ou administrative compétente. | |||
| Article 19 | Article 19 | |||
| Convening of Meetings, Resolutions, Minutes | 1 The Board of Directors shall meet at the invitation of its Chairman or, if not available, of the Vice-Chairman or of another member of the Board of Directors as often as | Convocation, décisions, procès-verbal | 1 Le Conseil d'administration est convoqué par son président ou, en cas d'empêchement de ce dernier, par son vice-président ou par un autre membre du Conseil |
21 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| the business of the Company shall require or if a member requests it in writing or via telefax, e-mail or another form of electronic communication, indicating the reasons. | d'administration, aussi souvent que cela apparaît nécessaire ou lorsqu'un membre du Conseil d'administration le demande par écrit, par télécopie, courriel ou par un autre moyen de communication électronique, avec indication des motifs. | |||
| 2 Unless the organizational regulations adopted by the Board of Directors or a board resolution taken with the applicable attendance quorum provide otherwise, the Board of Directors shall only have a quorum if a majority of the members of the Board of Directors is present. No attendance quorum shall be required for resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the amendment and ascertainment of a capital increase. | 2 A moins que le contraire ne résulte d'une disposition du règlement d'organisation adopté par le Conseil d'administration ou d'une décision du Conseil d'administration prise conformément aux dispositions applicables au quorum de présence, la majorité des membres du Conseil d'administration doivent être présents afin de pouvoir prendre une décision. Ce quorum de présence n'est pas nécessaire pour les décisions de modification et de constatation du Conseil d'administration en lien avec les augmentations du capital-actions. | |||
| 3 The Board of Directors shall adopt its resolutions by a majority of votes cast. In the case of a tie, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall have the casting vote. | 3 Les décisions du Conseil d'administration sont prises à la majorité des voix exprimées. En cas d'égalité des voix, la voix du président du Conseil d'administration prévaut. | |||
| 4 Resolutions may also be adopted by way of written consent or by approval via telefax, e-mail or another form of electronic communication, unless a member requests discussion thereof. | 4 Les décisions du Conseil d'administration peuvent également être prises par voie de circulation ou être adoptées par télécopie, courriel ou par un autre moyen de communication électronique, à moins qu'une discussion ne soit requise par l'un des membres du Conseil d'administration. | |||
| 5 The decisions of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in minutes to be signed by the acting chair and the secretary. | 5 Les décisions du Conseil d'administration sont consignées dans un procès-verbal signé par le président et par le secrétaire. | |||
| Article 20 | Article 20 | |||
| Powers of the Board of Directors | 1 The Board of Directors may pass resolutions with respect to all matters which are not delegated to another corporate body of the Company by law, by these articles of association or by regulations. | Attributions du Conseil d'administration | 1 Le Conseil d'administration peut prendre des décisions sur toutes les affaires qui ne sont pas attribuées à un autre organe de la Société par la loi, les présents statuts ou un règlement. |
22 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| 2 It shall have the following non-transferable and inalienable duties: | 2 Il a les attributions intransmissibles et inaliénables suivantes: | |||
|
1. the ultimate management of the Company and the issuance of necessary instructions; |
1. exercer la haute direction de la Société et établir les instructions nécessaires; | |||
|
2. the determination of the organization of the Company; |
2. fixer l'organisation de la Société; | |||
|
3. the structuring of the accounting system, of the financial controls and of the financial planning; |
3. fixer les principes de la comptabilité et du contrôle financier ainsi que le plan financier; | |||
|
4. the appointment and dismissal of the persons entrusted with management and representation of the Company, and issuance of rules on the signature authority; |
4. nommer et révoquer les personnes chargées de la gestion et de la représentation de la Société et réglementer le droit de signature; | |||
|
5. the ultimate supervision of the persons entrusted with management, in particular in view of compliance with the law, these articles of association, regulations and directives; |
5. exercer la haute surveillance sur les personnes chargées de la gestion pour s'assurer notamment qu'elles observent la loi, les présents statuts, les règlements et les instructions données; | |||
|
6. the preparation of the annual report and the compensation report; |
6. établir le rapport de gestion et le rapport de rémunération; | |||
|
7. the preparation of the General Meeting of Shareholders and the implementation of its resolutions; |
7. préparer l'Assemblée générale et exécuter ses décisions; | |||
|
8. the adoption of resolutions on the increase of the share capital to the extent that such power is vested in the Board of Directors, the ascertainment of capital increases, the preparation of the report on the capital increase, and the respective amendments of the articles of association (including deletions); |
8. prendre les décisions relatives aux augmentations du capital-actions, dans la mesure où elles sont de la compétence du Conseil d'administration, ainsi que les décisions relatives à la constatation d'augmentations de capital, à l'établissement du rapport d'augmentation du capital-actions et aux modifications des statuts qui en résultent (radiation comprise); | |||
|
9. the non-transferable and inalienable duties and powers of the Board of Directors pursuant to the Merger Act; |
9. les attributions et compétences intransmissibles et inaliénables du Conseil d'administration selon la Loi sur la fusion; | |||
|
10. the notification of the judge if liabilities exceed assets; and |
10. informer le juge en cas de surendettement; et |
23 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
|
11. other powers and duties reserved to the Board of Directors by law or these articles of association. |
11. d'autres attributions et compétences réservées au Conseil d'administration par la loi ou les présents statuts. | |||
| 3 In all other respects, the Board of Directors may delegate in whole or in part the management and the representation of the Company within the framework set forth by these articles of association and the law to one or several of its members or to third parties by means of organizational regulations. | 3 En outre, le Conseil d'administration peut déléguer en tout ou en partie la gestion ainsi que la représentation de la Société, dans le cadre des présents statuts et de la loi, à un ou plusieurs de ses membres ou à des tiers conformément au règlement d'organisation. | |||
| C. The Compensation Committee | C. Le Comité de rémunération | |||
| Article 21 | Article 21 | |||
| Number of Members | The Compensation Committee shall consist of at least two members of the Board of Directors. | Nombre de membres | Le Comité de rémunération se compose d'au moins deux membres du Conseil d'administration. | |
| Article 22 | Article 22 | |||
| Election and Term of Office | 1 The General Meeting of Shareholders shall elect the members of the Compensation Committee individually for a term of office until the completion of the subsequent Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Only members of the Board of Directors may be elected. Re-election is possible. | Election et durée de fonctions | 1 L'Assemblée générale élit individuellement les membres du Comité de rémunération pour une durée de fonctions s'achevant à la fin de l'Assemblée générale ordinaire suivante. Seuls des membres du Conseil d'administration sont éligibles. La réélection est possible. | |
| 2 If there are vacancies on the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors may appoint substitute members from among its members for a term of office extending until completion of the next Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. | 2 En cas de vacance au sein du Comité de rémunération, le Conseil d'administration peut désigner des substituts parmi ses membres pour une durée de fonctions s'achevant à la fin de l'Assemblée générale ordinaire suivante. | |||
24 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Article 23 | Article 23 | |||
| Organization of the Compensation Committee | 1 The Compensation Committee shall constitute itself. Unless the organizational regulations provide otherwise, the Board of Directors shall elect a chairman from among the Compensation Committee's members. | Organisation du Comité de rémunération | 1 Le Comité de rémunération se constitue lui-même. A moins que le règlement d'organisation n'en dispose autrement, le Conseil d'administration élit le Président du Comité de rémunération parmi les membres du Comité de rémunération. | |
| 2 The Board of Directors shall issue regulations establishing the organization and decision-making process of the Compensation Committee, which may be part of the organizational regulations. | 2 Le Conseil d'administration établit un règlement concernant l'organisation et le processus de décision du Comité de rémunération, qui peut être intégré au règlement d'organisation. | |||
| Article 24 | Article 24 | |||
| Duties and Powers | 1 The Compensation Committee shall support the Board of Directors in establishing and reviewing the compensation strategy and guidelines as well as in preparing the proposals to the General Meeting of Shareholders regarding the compensation of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. It may submit proposals to the Board of Directors in other compensation-related issues. | Attributions | 1 Le Comité de rémunération assiste le Conseil d'administration dans l'établissement et la révision de la stratégie et des directives de rémunération, ainsi que dans la préparation des propositions à soumettre à l'Assemblée générale concernant la rémunération du Conseil d'administration et de la Direction exécutive. Il peut soumettre au Conseil d'administration des propositions en toutes autres matières relatives à la rémunération. | |
| 2 The Board of Directors shall determine in regulations for which positions of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and other member of management (if any) the Compensation Committee shall submit proposals for the performance metrics, target values and/or the compensation of the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and for which positions it shall itself determine, in accordance with these articles of association and the compensation guidelines established by the Board of Directors, such performance metrics, target values and/or the compensation. | 2 Le Conseil d'administration détermine dans un règlement pour quelles fonctions du Conseil d'administration, de la Direction exécutive et d'autres membres de la direction (si applicable) le Comité de rémunération proposera au Conseil d'administration les mesures de performances, les valeurs cibles et/ou la rémunération des membres du Conseil d'administration et de la Direction exécutive, et pour quelles fonctions il aura la compétence de déterminer de son propre chef, en accord avec les statuts et les directives de rémunération établies par le Conseil d'administration, les mesures de performances, les valeurs cibles et/ou la rémunération. | |||
| 3 The Board of Directors may delegate further tasks to | 3 Le Conseil d’administration peut déléguer |
25 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| the Compensation Committee. | d'autres tâches au Comité de rémunération. | |||
| D. The Auditors | D. L'organe de révision | |||
| Article 25 | Article 25 | |||
| 1 The General Meeting of Shareholders shall elect the Auditors for a term of office until the completion of the next Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Re-election is possible. | 1 L'Assemblée générale élit l'organe de révision pour une durée de fonctions s’achevant à la fin de l’Assemblée générale ordinaire suivante. La réélection est possible. | |||
| 2 The Auditors shall have the powers and duties vested in them by law. | 2 L'organe de révision a les pouvoirs et obligations que lui confère la loi. | |||
| 3 The Board of Directors may mandate the Auditors at any time to perform special investigations, in particular interim audits, and to prepare a report on their findings. | 3 Le Conseil d'administration peut en tout temps charger l'organe de révision de procéder à des contrôles spéciaux, notamment des révisions intermédiaires, et de lui en soumettre un rapport. | |||
| Section 4 Compensation of the Members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee and Related Matters |
Section 4 Rémunération des membres du Conseil d'administration et de la Direction exécutive et affaires connexes | |||
| Article 26 | Article 26 | |||
| Approval of the Compensation by the General Meeting of Shareholders | 1 The General Meeting of Shareholders shall approve the proposals of the Board of Directors in relation to the aggregate amounts of: | Approbation de la rémunération par l'Assemblée générale | 1 L'Assemblée générale approuve les propositions du Conseil d'administration en relation avec les montants maximaux suivants: | |
|
1. the maximum compensation of the Board of Directors until the completion of the next Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders; |
1. la rémunération maximale du Conseil d'administration jusqu'à la fin de l'Assemblée générale ordinaire des actionnaires suivante; | |||
|
2. the maximum fixed compensation of the Executive |
2. la rémunération fixe maximale de la Direction |
26 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Committee for the following financial year; and | exécutive pour l'année comptable suivante; et | |||
|
3. the maximum variable compensation of the Executive Committee for the current financial year. |
3. la rémunération variable maximale de la Direction exécutive pour l'exercice en cours. | |||
| 2 The Board of Directors may submit for approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders deviating, additional or conditional proposals relating to the maximum aggregate amount or maximum partial amounts for the same or different periods and/or specific compensation components and/or in relation to additional amounts for specific compensation components. | 2 Le Conseil d'administration peut soumettre à l'approbation de l'Assemblée générale des propositions divergentes, supplémentaires ou conditionnelles concernant le montant maximal total ou les montants maximaux partiels pour les mêmes périodes ou des périodes différentes et/ou des éléments de rémunération spécifiques et/ou en relation avec des montants additionnels pour des éléments de rémunération spécifiques. | |||
| 3 In the event that the General Meeting of Shareholders does not approve a proposal of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall determine, taking into account all relevant factors, the respective (maximum) aggregate amount or (maximum) partial amounts, and submit the amount(s) so determined for approval by a General Meeting of Shareholders. | 3 Si l'Assemblée générale n'approuve pas une proposition du Conseil d'administration, le Conseil d'administration détermine, en prenant en compte tous les critères pertinents, le montant (maximal) total ou des montants (maximaux) partiels respectifs, et soumet le(s) montant(s) ainsi déterminé(s) à l'approbation d'une Assemblée générale. | |||
| 4 The Company or companies controlled by it may pay or grant compensation prior to approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders, subject to subsequent approval. | 4 La rémunération peut être versée ou octroyée par la Société ou les sociétés qu'elle contrôle avant l'approbation de l'Assemblée générale, sous réserve d'une approbation ultérieure. | |||
| Article 27 | Article 27 | |||
| Supplementary Amount for Changes to the Executive Committee | If the maximum aggregate amount of compensation already approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders is not sufficient to also cover the compensation of one or more persons who become members of the Executive Committee or are being promoted within the Executive Committee after the General Meeting of Shareholders has approved the compensation of the Executive Committee for the relevant period, then the Company or companies controlled by it shall be authorized to pay such member(s) a supplementary amount | Montant complémentaire en cas de changements au sein de la Direction exécutive | Si le montant global maximal de la rémunération déjà approuvé par l'Assemblée générale n'est pas suffisant pour couvrir également la rémunération d'une ou plusieurs personnes devenant membre(s) de la Direction exécutive ou étant promue(s) au sein de la Direction exécutive après que l'Assemblée générale a approuvé la rémunération de la Direction exécutive pour la période visée, la Société ou toute autre société qu'elle contrôle est alors autorisée à verser à ce(s) membre(s) un montant complémentaire au cours de la (ou les) période(s) |
27 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| during the compensation period(s) already approved. The supplementary amount per compensation period per member shall not exceed 100% of the aggregate amount of (maximum) compensation of the Executive Committee last approved. | de rémunération déjà approuvée(s). Le montant complémentaire par période de compensation par membre ne doit pas dépasser 100% du montant global de la rémunération (maximale) de la Direction exécutive approuvée en dernier. | |||
| Article 28 | Article 28 | |||
| General Compensation Principles | 1 The compensation of the non-executive members of the Board of Directors may consist of fixed and variable compensation elements. Total compensation shall take into account the position and level of responsibility of the recipient. | Principes généraux de rémunération | 1 La rémunération des membres non-exécutifs du Conseil d'administration peut être constituée d'éléments de rémunérations fixes et variables. La rémunération totale prend en compte la position et le niveau de responsabilité du bénéficiaire. | |
| 2 The compensation of the members of the Executive Committee may consist of fixed and variable compensation elements. Fixed compensation comprises the base salary and may consist of other compensation elements. Variable compensation may take into account the achievement of specific performance targets. Total compensation shall take into account the position and level of responsibility of the recipient. | 2 La rémunération des membres de la Direction exécutive peut être constituée d'éléments de rémunération fixes et variables. La rémunération fixe comprend le salaire de base et peut être constituée d'autres éléments de rémunération. La rémunération variable peut prendre en compte l'accomplissement d'objectifs de performance spécifiques. La rémunération totale prend en compte la position et le niveau de responsabilité du bénéficiaire. | |||
| 3 The performance targets may include individual targets, targets of the Company, group or parts thereof or targets in relation to the market, other companies or comparable benchmarks, taking into account the position and level of responsibility of the recipient. The Board of Directors or, to the extent delegated to it, the Compensation Committee shall determine the relative weight of the performance targets and the respective target values. | 3 Les objectifs de performance peuvent comprendre des objectifs personnels, des objectifs liés à la performance de la Société ou de tout ou partie du groupe ou des buts en relation avec le marché, d'autres sociétés ou d'autres repères comparables, prenant en compte la position et le niveau de responsabilité du bénéficiaire. Le Conseil d'administration ou le Comité de rémunération, dans la mesure où cette compétence lui est déléguée, détermine le poids relatif des objectifs de performance et les valeurs cibles respectives. | |||
| 4 Compensation may be paid in the form of cash, shares, options or other share-based instruments or units, or in the form of other types of benefits. | 4 La rémunération peut être versée en espèces, sous forme d'actions, d'options ou d'instruments ou unités sur base d'actions ou d'autres types de prestations. |
28 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| The Board of Directors or, to the extent delegated to it, the Compensation Committee shall determine grant, vesting, exercise, restriction and forfeiture conditions and periods. In particular, they may provide for continuation, acceleration or removal of vesting, exercise, restriction and forfeiture conditions and periods, for payment or grant of compensation based upon assumed target achievement, or for forfeiture, in each case in the event of pre-determined events such as a change of control or termination of an employment or mandate agreement. The Company may procure the required shares or other securities through purchases in the market, from treasury shares or by using conditional or authorized share capital. | Le Conseil d'administration ou le Comité de rémunération, dans la mesure où cette compétence lui a été déléguée, détermine les conditions et périodes d'octroi, d'acquisition (vesting), d'exercice, de restriction et de péremption. Ils peuvent en particulier prévoir la continuation, l'accélération ou la suppression des conditions ou périodes d'acquisition (vesting), d'exercice, de restriction et de péremption, le versement ou l'octroi d'une rémunération supposant l'atteinte des objectifs ou encore la déchéance des droits, dans chaque cas lors d'événements prédéterminés tels que, notamment, un changement de contrôle ou la fin d'un contrat de travail ou de mandat. La Société peut se procurer les actions ou autres instruments des marchés financiers requis par le biais d'achats sur le marché ou d'actions propres, ou en utilisant son capital-actions conditionnel ou autorisé. | |||
| 5 Compensation may be paid by the Company or companies controlled by it. | 5 La rémunération peut être versée par la Société ou tout autre société qu'elle contrôle. | |||
| Article 29 | Article 29 | |||
| Agreements with Members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee | 1 The Company or companies controlled by it may enter into agreements with non-executive members of the Board of Directors relating to their compensation for a fixed term or for an indefinite term. The duration and termination are subject to the term of office and the law. | Contrats avec les membres du Conseil d'administration et de la Direction exécutive | 1 La Société, ou toute société qu'elle contrôle, peut conclure des contrats de durée déterminée ou indéterminée avec les membres non-exécutifs du Conseil d'administration en relation avec leur rémunération. La durée et la résiliation doivent être conformes avec la durée des fonctions ainsi qu'avec les dispositions légales applicables. | |
| 2 The Company or companies controlled by it may enter into employment agreements with executive members of the Board of Directors and other members of the Executive Committee for a fixed term or for an indefinite term. Fixed term agreements may have a maximum duration of one year; renewal is possible. Agreements for an indefinite term may have a notice period of maximum twelve months. | 2 La Société, ou toute société qu'elle contrôle, peut conclure des contrats de travail de durée déterminée ou indéterminée avec les membres exécutifs du conseil d'administration et les autres membres de la Direction exécutive. Les contrats de durée déterminée peuvent avoir une durée maximale d'une année; le renouvellement est possible. Les contrats de durée indéterminée peuvent prévoir un délai de congé d'au maximum douze |
29 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| mois. | ||||
| 3 The Company or companies controlled by it may enter into non-compete agreements with members of the Executive Committee for the time after termination of employment. Their duration shall not exceed two years, and consideration paid per year for such non-compete undertaking shall not exceed the sum of the total annual compensation of such member last paid or payable for the first time. | 3 La Société, ou toute société qu'elle contrôle, peut conclure des accords de non-concurrence avec les membres de la Direction exécutive pour la période suivant la fin des rapports de travail. Leur durée ne peut excéder deux ans, et l'indemnisation par an versée en contrepartie d'un tel accord de non concurrence ne peut excéder la somme de la dernière rémunération annuelle totale versée ou à verser pour la première fois au membre concerné. | |||
| Article 30 | Article 30 | |||
| Mandates Outside of the Group | 1 The number of mandates on the board of directors or the executive committee of legal entities that have to be registered in a Swiss commercial register or a similar foreign register outside the group is limited: | Mandats en dehors du groupe | 1 Le nombre de mandats d'administrateur et/ou au sein de la Direction exécutive d'entités juridiques tenues d'être inscrites au registre du commerce suisse ou dans un registre similaire étranger est limité: | |
|
(a) for members of the Executive Committee, to seven mandates, of which no more than two in a listed company; and |
(a) pour les membres de la Direction exécutive, à sept mandats, dont pas plus de deux au sein de sociétés cotées; et | |||
|
(b) for members of the Board of Directors, to fifteen mandates, of which no more than five in listed companies. |
(b) pour les membres du Conseil d'administration à quinze mandats, dont pas plus de cinq au sein de sociétés cotées. | |||
| 2 Mandates in different legal entities being part of the same group or for the same group are deemed to be one mandate. | 2 Les mandats dans différentes entités juridiques appartenant au même groupe ou assumés pour le même groupe sont considérés comme un mandat. | |||
| 3 Mandates in associations, charitable organizations, family trusts and foundations relating to post-retirement benefits are not subject to the above limitations. No member of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee shall hold more than 10 such mandates. | 3 Les mandats dans des associations, organisations caritatives, fondations de famille et fondations de prévoyance professionnelle ne sont pas soumis aux limites mentionnées ci-dessus. Aucun membre du Conseil d'administration ou de la Direction exécutive ne peut exercer plus de 10 mandats de ce genre. | |||
30 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Article 31 | Article 31 | |||
| Post-Retirement Benefits | The Company or companies controlled by it may grant to members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee post-retirement benefits beyond the occupational benefit schemes which do not exceed the annual compensation of the respective member of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee last paid or payable for the first time. | Prestations de retraite | La Société ou toute société qu'elle contrôle peut octroyer aux membres du Conseil d'administration et de la Direction exécutive des prestations de retraite allant au-delà du régime de prévoyance professionnelle n'excédant pas la rémunération annuelle du membre du Conseil d'administration ou de la Direction exécutive concerné versée ou à verser pour la première fois. | |
| Section 5 Financial Year, Profit Allocation |
Section 5 Exercice, répartition du bénéfice | |||
| Article 32 | Article 32 | |||
| Financial Year, Annual and Compensation Report | 1 The Company's financial year shall be determined by the Board of Directors. | Exercice social, rapport de gestion et de rémunération | 1 L'exercice est fixé par le Conseil d'administration. | |
| 2 The Board of Directors shall prepare an annual report for each financial year, comprising the annual financial statements, if required, the management report and the consolidated financial statements, as well as a compensation report. | 2 Le Conseil d'administration établit pour chaque exercice un rapport de gestion, qui se compose des comptes annuels et, cas échéant, du rapport annuel et des comptes de groupe, ainsi qu'un rapport de rémunération. | |||
| Article 33 | Article 33 | |||
| Allocation of Profit Shown on the Balance Sheet, Reserves | 1 The General Meeting of Shareholders shall resolve on the allocation of the profit as shown on the balance sheet in accordance with applicable law. The Board of Directors shall submit its proposals to the General Meeting of Shareholders. | Utilisation du bénéfice résultant du bilan, réserves | 1 L'Assemblée générale détermine l'emploi du bénéfice résultant du bilan, sous réserve des prescriptions légales concernant la répartition du bénéfice. Le Conseil d'administration lui soumet ses propositions. | |
| 2 In addition to the reserves required by law, the General Meeting of Shareholders may create other reserves. | 2 En sus des réserves légales, l'Assemblée générale peut constituer des réserves supplémentaires. |
31 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| 3 Dividends that have not been collected within five years after their payment date shall inure to the Company and be allocated to the general statutory reserves. | 3 Les dividendes qui n'ont pas été perçus dans un délai de cinq ans après leur date de paiement sont prescrits et sont alloués aux réserves statutaires de la Société. | |||
| Section 6 Dissolution, Liquidation |
Section 6 Dissolution, liquidation | |||
| Article 34 | Article 34 | |||
| Dissolution, Liquidation | 1 The General Meeting of Shareholders may at any time resolve to dissolve and liquidate the Company in accordance with the law and the provisions set forth in these articles of association. | Dissolution, liquidation | 1 L'Assemblée générale peut décider en tout temps de la dissolution et de la liquidation de la Société en conformité avec les prescriptions légales et statutaires. | |
| 2 The liquidation shall be effected by the Board of Directors, unless the General Meeting of Shareholders appoints other persons as liquidators. | 2 La liquidation a lieu par les soins du Conseil d'administration, à moins que l'Assemblée générale ne désigne d'autres liquidateurs. | |||
| 3 The liquidation of the Company shall be effected pursuant to applicable law. The liquidators shall be entitled to sell assets (real estate included) in private transactions. | 3 La liquidation de la Société s'effectue conformément au droit applicable. Les liquidateurs sont autorisés à vendre des actifs (immeubles y compris) de gré à gré. | |||
| 4 Upon discharge of all liabilities of the Company, the assets shall be distributed to the shareholders in proportion to the share capital, unless these articles of association provide otherwise. | 4 Après paiement des dettes de la Société, l'actif est réparti entre les actionnaires au prorata du capital-actions, à moins que les présents statuts n'en disposent autrement. | |||
32 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Section 7 Notices, Communications |
Section 7 Communications, organe de publication | |||
| Article 35 | Article 35 | |||
| Notices, Communications | 1 The official means of publication of the Company shall be the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. | Communications, organe de publication | 1 L'organe de publication de la Société est la Feuille officielle suisse du commerce. | |
| 2 To the extent that personal notification is not mandated by law, all communications to the shareholders shall be deemed valid if published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. Written communications by the Company to its shareholders shall be sent by ordinary mail to the last address of the shareholder or authorized recipient entered in the share register. If neither these articles of association nor the law mandatorily require a communication to be in written form, the Company can validly send communications to the shareholders to the last e-mail address of the shareholder or authorized recipient communicated to the Company, through the banking system, electronically, by publication in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce or in any other way. To comply with a written form, a facsimile or electronic copy of a signature shall be sufficient. | 2 Dans la mesure où la loi n’exige pas de notification personnelle, toutes les communications aux actionnaires publiées dans la Feuille officielle suisse du commerce seront réputées valides. Les communications écrites adressées par la Société à ses actionnaires seront envoyées par courrier ordinaire à la dernière adresse de l’actionnaire ou de son bénéficiaire autorisé qui figure sur le registre des actions. Si ni la loi ni les présents statuts n'imposent qu'une communication revête la forme écrite, la Société peut valablement envoyer une telle communication aux actionnaires par courriel, à la dernière adresse e-mail de l’actionnaire ou de son bénéficiaire autorisé communiquée à la Société, par l'intermédiraire du système bancaire, électroniquement, par publication dans la Feuille officielle suisse du commerce ou de toute autre manière. Un téléfax ou une copie électronique de la signature suffisent pour se conformer à la forme écrite. | |||
33 | 34
Articles of Association of ADC Therapeutics SA
| Section 8 Authoritative Language |
Section 8 Langue faisant foi | |||
| Article 36 | Article 36 | |||
| Authoritative Language | In the event of discrepancies between the French and English version of these articles of association, the French version shall prevail. | Langue faisant foi | En cas de désaccord entre la version française et la version anglaise, la version française des présents statuts prévaut. |
Lausanne, le 1er novembre 2022
34 | 34
Exhibit 4.2
ADC THERAPEUTICS SA
INDENTURE
Dated as of [___]
[___], as Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article
1
Definition and Incorporation by Reference
| Section 1.01. | Definitions | 1 |
| Section 1.02. | Other Definitions | 4 |
| Section 1.03. | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 5 |
| Section 1.04. | Rules of Construction | 5 |
Article
2
The Securities
| Section 2.01. | Issuable in Series | 5 |
| Section 2.02. | Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities | 6 |
| Section 2.03. | Execution and Authentication | 8 |
| Section 2.04. | Registrar and Paying Agent | 8 |
| Section 2.05. | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 9 |
| Section 2.06. | Securityholder Lists | 10 |
| Section 2.07. | Exchange and Registration of Transfer | 10 |
| Section 2.08. | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 11 |
| Section 2.09. | Outstanding Securities | 11 |
| Section 2.10. | Treasury Securities | 11 |
| Section 2.11. | Temporary Securities | 12 |
| Section 2.12. | Cancellation | 12 |
| Section 2.13. | Defaulted Interest | 12 |
| Section 2.14. | Registered Global Securities | 12 |
| Section 2.15. | Computation of Interest | 13 |
| Section 2.16. | CUSIP and ISIN Numbers | 13 |
Article
3
Redemption
| Section 3.01. | Notice to Trustee | 14 |
| Section 3.02. | Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed | 14 |
| Section 3.03. | Notice of Redemption | 14 |
| Section 3.04. | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 15 |
| Section 3.05. | Deposit of Redemption Price | 15 |
| Section 3.06. | Securities Redeemed in Part | 15 |
Article
4
Covenants
| Section 4.01. | Payment of Principal and Interest | 15 |
| Section 4.02. | SEC Reports | 15 |
| Section 4.03. | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 15 |
| Section 4.04. | Corporate Existence | 15 |
| Section 4.05. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 16 |
| Section 4.06. | Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust | 16 |
| Section 4.07. | Waiver of Certain Covenants | 17 |
ii
Article
5
Successors
| Section 5.01. | When Company May Merge, Etc | 17 |
| Section 5.02. | Successor Corporation Substituted | 17 |
Article
6
Defaults and Remedies
| Section 6.01. | Events of Default | 18 |
| Section 6.02. | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 19 |
| Section 6.03. | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 20 |
| Section 6.04. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 21 |
| Section 6.05. | Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities | 21 |
| Section 6.06. | Application of Money Collected | 21 |
| Section 6.07. | Limitation on Suits | 22 |
| Section 6.08. | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest | 22 |
| Section 6.09. | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 22 |
| Section 6.10. | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 22 |
| Section 6.11. | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 23 |
| Section 6.12. | Control by Holders | 23 |
| Section 6.13. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 23 |
| Section 6.14. | Undertaking for Costs | 23 |
Article
7
Trustee
| Section 7.01. | Duties of Trustee | 23 |
| Section 7.02. | Rights of Trustee | 24 |
| Section 7.03. | Individual Rights of Trustee | 25 |
| Section 7.04. | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 25 |
| Section 7.05. | Notice of Defaults | 25 |
| Section 7.06. | Reports by Trustee to Holders | 26 |
| Section 7.07. | Compensation and Indemnity | 26 |
| Section 7.08. | Replacement of Trustee | 26 |
| Section 7.09. | Successor Trustee by Merger, etc | 27 |
| Section 7.10. | Eligibility; Disqualification | 27 |
| Section 7.11. | Preferential Collection of Claims against Company | 28 |
Article
8
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
| Section 8.01. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 28 |
| Section 8.02. | Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification | 28 |
| Section 8.03. | Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series | 29 |
| Section 8.04. | Covenant Defeasance | 30 |
| Section 8.05. | Repayment to Company | 31 |
| Section 8.06. | Effect of Subordination Provisions | 31 |
Article
9
Amendments and Waivers
| Section 9.01. | Without Consent of Holders | 31 |
| Section 9.02. | With Consent of Holders | 32 |
| Section 9.03. | Limitations | 33 |
iii
| Section 9.04. | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 33 |
| Section 9.05. | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 33 |
| Section 9.06. | Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 34 |
| Section 9.07. | Trustee Protected | 34 |
Article
10
Subordination of Securities
| Section 10.01. | Agreement to Subordinate | 34 |
Article
11
Miscellaneous
| Section 11.01. | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 34 |
| Section 11.02. | Notices | 34 |
| Section 11.03. | Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 35 |
| Section 11.04. | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 35 |
| Section 11.05. | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 35 |
| Section 11.06. | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 35 |
| Section 11.07. | Legal Holidays | 35 |
| Section 11.08. | No Recourse Against Others | 36 |
| Section 11.09. | Counterparts | 36 |
| Section 11.10. | Governing Laws; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | 36 |
| Section 11.11. | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 36 |
| Section 11.12. | Successors | 36 |
| Section 11.13. | Severability | 36 |
| Section 11.14. | Table of Contents, Headings, Etc | 36 |
| Section 11.15. | Securities in a Foreign Currency | 36 |
| Section 11.16. | Judgment Currency | 37 |
| Section 11.17. | Acts of Holders | 37 |
| Section 11.18. | Force Majeure | 38 |
Article
12
Sinking Funds
| Section 12.01. | Applicability of Article | 38 |
| Section 12.02. | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 39 |
| Section 12.03. | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 39 |
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of [___].
| § 310(a)(1) | 7.10 |
| (a)(2) | 7.10 |
| (a)(3) | Not Applicable |
| (a)(4) | Not Applicable |
| (a)(5) | 7.10 |
| (b) | 7.10 |
| § 311(a) | 7.11 |
| (b) | 7.11 |
| § 312(a) | 2.06 |
| (b) | 11.03 |
| (c) | 11.03 |
| § 313(a) | 7.06 |
| (b)(1) | 7.06 |
iv
| (b)(2) | 7.06 |
| (c) | 7.06 |
| (d) | 7.06 |
| § 314(a) | 4.02, Section 4.04 |
| (b) | Not Applicable |
| (c)(1) | 11.04 |
| (c)(2) | 11.04 |
| (c)(3) | Not Applicable |
| (d) | Not Applicable |
| (e) | 11.05 |
| (f) | Not Applicable |
| § 315(a) | 7.01 |
| (b) | 7.05 |
| (c) | 7.01 |
| (d) | 7.01 |
| (e) | 6.14 |
| § 316(a) | 2.10 |
| (a)(1)(A) | 6.12 |
| (a)(1)(B) | 6.13 |
| (a)(2) | Not Applicable |
| (b) | 6.08 |
| (c) | 9.05 |
| § 317(a)(1) | 6.03 |
| (a)(2) | 6.04 |
| (b) | 2.05 |
| § 318(a) | 11.01 |
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.
v
Indenture dated as of [___], between ADC Therapeutics SA, a société anonyme organized under the laws of Switzerland (the “Company”), and [___], as trustee (the “Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.
Article
1
Definition and Incorporation by Reference
Section 1.01. Definitions.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, co-agent, co-registrar or Service Agent.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof that is made or given by the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.
“Bearer” means anyone in possession from time to time of a Bearer Security.
“Bearer Global Security” or “Bearer Global Securities” means a Bearer Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.02 evidencing all or part of a Series of Bearer Securities, deposited with a common depositary for Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System and/or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg.
“Bearer Security” means any Security, including any interest coupon appertaining thereto, that does not provide for the identification of the Holder thereof.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
“Company” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.
1
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, vice president, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or general counsel.
“Company Request” means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, General Counsel, President, any Executive or other Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business relating to this Indenture shall be principally administered, which as of the date of this Indenture shall be located at:
[___].
“Debt” of any Person as of any date means, without duplication, all indebtedness of such Person in respect of borrowed money, including all interest, fees and expenses owed in respect thereto (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary for such Series by the Company, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such Series.
“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
“Dollars” means the currency of the United States of America.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of the United States of America.
“Foreign Government Obligations” means with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Register or the holder of a Bearer Security.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as originally executed and delivered and as supplemented or amended from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
“interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
2
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, General Counsel, President, any Executive or other Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any Series, means the place or places specified in accordance with Section 2.02 where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that Series are payable, or if not so specified, in accordance with Section 4.06.
“Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
“Registered Global Security” or “Registered Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.02 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee.
“Registered Securities” means any Security registered on the Register of the Company.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.
“Senior Debt” means the principal of, premium, if any, unpaid interest, and all fees and other amounts payable in connection with the following, whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, on (x) the Debt of the Company, for money borrowed other than (a) any Debt of the Company which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Debt of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) Debt to any employee of the Company, (d) any liability for taxes and (e) Trade Payables, unless the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding provides that such Debt is not senior or prior in right of payment to the Securities, (y) all obligations of the Company under interest rate, currency and commodity swaps, caps, floors, collars, hedge arrangements, forward contracts or similar agreements or arrangements and (z) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such Debt. This definition may be modified or superseded by a supplemental indenture.
3
“Senior Securities” means Securities other than Subordinated Securities.
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.
“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable (without regard for any provisions for acceleration, redemption prepayment or otherwise).
“Subordinated Securities” means Securities that by the terms established pursuant to Section 2.02(i) are subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt of the Company.
“Subordination Provisions,” when used with respect to the Subordinated Securities of any Series, shall have the meaning established pursuant to Section 2.02(i) with respect to the Subordinated Securities of such Series.
“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“Trade Payables” means accounts payable or any other Debt or monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business in connection with the receipt of materials or services.
“Trust Officer” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.
Section 1.02. Other Definitions.
|
Term |
Defined in Section |
| “Bankruptcy Law” | 6.01 |
| “Custodian” | 6.01 |
| “Event of Default” | 6.01 |
| “Judgment Currency” | 11.16 |
| “Legal Holiday” | 11.07 |
| “mandatory sinking fund payment” | 12.01 |
4
| “Market Exchange Rate” | 11.15 |
| “New York Banking Day” | 11.16 |
| “optional sinking fund payment” | 12.01 |
| “Paying Agent” | 2.04 |
| “Register” | 2.04 |
| “Registrar” | 2.04 |
| “Required Currency” | 11.16 |
| “Service Agent” | 2.04 |
| “successor person” | 5.01 |
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(iii) references to “generally accepted accounting principles” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
(iv) “or” is not exclusive; and
(v) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular.
Article
2
The Securities
Section 2.01. Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any
5
matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
Section 2.02. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities. At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.02(a) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.02(b) through 2.02(x)) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:
(a) the title and designation of the Securities of the Series, which shall distinguish the Securities of the Series from the Securities of all other Series, and which may be part of a Series of Securities previously issued;
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.11, 3.06 or 9.06);
(c) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency or Foreign Currencies in which the Securities of the Series are denominated;
(d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
(e) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable, the terms and conditions of any deferral of interest and the additional interest, if any, thereon, the right, if any, of the Company to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions and (in the case of Registered Securities) the date or dates on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;
(f) the place or places where and the manner in which, the principal of and any interest on Securities of the Series shall be payable;
(g) the right, if any, of the Company to redeem Securities, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
(h) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the Series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(i) if the Securities of such Series are Subordinated Securities, the terms pursuant to which the Securities of such Series will be made subordinate in right of payment to Senior Debt and the definition of such Senior Debt with respect to such Series (in the absence of an express statement to the effect that the Securities of such Series are subordinate in right of payment to all such Senior Debt, the Securities of such Series shall not be subordinate to Senior Debt and shall not constitute Subordinated Securities); and, in the event that the Securities of such Series are Subordinated Securities, such Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, as the case may be, establishing the terms of such Series shall expressly state which articles, sections or other provisions thereof constitute the “Subordination Provisions” with respect to the Securities of such Series;
6
(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof in the case of Registered Securities, or $1,000 and $5,000 in the case of Bearer Securities, the denominations in which Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
(k) the percentage of the principal amount at which the Securities will be issued, and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the Series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof and the terms and conditions of any acceleration;
(l) if other than the coin, currency or currencies in which the Securities of the Series are denominated, the coin, currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such Series shall be payable, including composite currencies or currency units;
(m) if the principal of or interest on the Securities of the Series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;
(n) if the amount of payments of principal of and interest on the Securities of the Series may be determined with reference to an index or formula based on a coin, currency, composite currency or currency unit other than that in which the Securities of the Series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(o) whether the Securities of the Series will be issuable as Registered Securities (and if so, whether such Securities will be issuable as Registered Global Securities) or Bearer Securities, with or without interest coupons appertaining thereto (and if so, whether such Securities will be issuable as Bearer Global Securities), or any combination of the foregoing, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities or the payment of interest thereon and the terms upon which Bearer Securities of any Series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such Series and vice versa;
(p) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the Series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem the Securities of the Series rather than pay such additional amounts;
(q) if the Securities of the Series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such Series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(r) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars of any other agents with respect to the Securities of such Series;
(s) any deletion from, modification of or addition to the Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Securities of such Series, including, if applicable, covenants affording Holders of debt protection with respect to the Company’s operations, financial conditions and transactions involving the Company;
(t) if the Securities of the Series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Company, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Company or its Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof, including conversion or exchange prices or rate and adjustments thereto;
(u) the price or prices at which the Securities will be issued;
(v) any provisions for remarketing;
7
(w) the terms applicable to any Securities issued at a discount from their stated principal amount; and
(x) any other terms of the Series.
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.
Section 2.03. Execution and Authentication. One or more Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall be valid nevertheless so long as such individual was an Officer at the time of execution of the Security.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02, except as provided in Section 2.08.
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.02) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 11.04, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 11.04.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Company. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate.
Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.02, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
8
Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Registered Securities (the “Register”) and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands; provided that the Corporate Trust Office shall not be an office or agency of the Company for the purpose of effecting service of legal process on the Company.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional service agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.02 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional service agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Service Agent” includes any additional service agent.
The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued. The Company or any of its domestically organized Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or Service Agent. So long as the Trustee is the Service Agent, no service of legal process on the Company may be made on the Service Agent.
The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee under this Indenture including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each Agent acting hereunder.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent.
The Company may remove any Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent for any Series of Securities upon written notice to such Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (1) acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (2) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (1) above. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent may resign at any time upon written notice; provided, however, that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent, Registrar or Service Agent only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08. Upon any Event of Default under Section 6.01(e) or Section 6.01(f), the Trustee shall automatically be the Paying Agent.
Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Prior to each due date of the principal and interest on any Series of Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues,
9
the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.
Section 2.06. Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each interest payment date, but in any event not less frequently than semi-annually, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
Section 2.07. Exchange and Registration of Transfer. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office the Register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities of a Series and of transfers of Securities of such Series. The Register shall be in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonably prompt period of time.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a Series to the Registrar or any co-registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such transfer set forth in this Section 2.07, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Security of the same Series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be required by this Indenture.
Securities of a Series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same Series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06. Whenever any Securities of a Series are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities of the same Series that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive bearing registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
All Securities of a Series issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of the same Series shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities of the same Series surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
All Securities of a Series presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, and the Securities of such Series shall be duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to any holder for any registration of, transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.06 or 9.06).
Neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Registrar shall be required to exchange, issue or register a transfer of (a) Securities of any Series for a period of fifteen calendar days next preceding date of mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption, or (b) Securities of any Series or portions thereof called for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Securities of that Series being redeemed in part.
10
Section 2.08. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Securityholder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver a replacement Security of the same Series if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Securityholder (a) satisfies the Company or the Trustee within a reasonable time after he has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Company or the Trustee prior to the Security being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “protected purchaser”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Company or the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Securityholder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee to protect the Trustee and any Agent and in the judgment of the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Securityholder for their expenses in replacing a Security. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption, shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Securities and of the ownership thereof.
Every replacement Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section is an additional obligation of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities of the same Series replaced.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities. The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Registered Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate holds the Security.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities (or portions thereof) payable on that date, and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Securityholders of such Series on that date pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
Section 2.10. Treasury Securities. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities of a Series
11
owned by the Company, any other obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent only Securities of a Series that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon written request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
Section 2.11. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of Securities in certificated form, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon a Company Order, authenticate and deliver temporary Securities (printed, lithographed, typewritten, photocopied or otherwise produced). Temporary Securities shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Securities in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Securities in certificated form. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Securities of the same Series in certificated form and thereupon any or all temporary Securities may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.07 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of the same Series in certificated form. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Securities of the same Series in certificated form authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.12. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and dispose of such cancelled Securities in accordance with its customary procedure. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Securities in place of cancelled Securities other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed or deliver by electronic transmission to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any lawful manner.
Section 2.14. Registered Global Securities.
(a) Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form
12
of one or more Registered Global Securities and the Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities.
(b) Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.07 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Registered Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Registered Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days of such event or (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Registered Global Security shall be so exchangeable. Any Registered Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registered Global Security with like tenor and terms.
Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b), a Registered Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Registered Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.
(c) Legend. Any Registered Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“This Security is a Registered Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.”
(d) Acts of Holders. The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
(e) Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Registered Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.
(f) Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14(d), the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a Person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Registered Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such Registered Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 2.15. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.02 for Securities of any Series, interest on the Securities of each Series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 2.16. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the
13
Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any changes to the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.
Article
3
Redemption
Section 3.01. Notice to Trustee. The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 35 calendar days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).
Section 3.02. Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.02(j), the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall provide a notice of redemption by electronic transmission or first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed and if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion a notice in an Authorized Newspaper.
The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the redemption date;
(b) the redemption price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;
(c) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(d) if less than all Securities of any Series are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Securities to be redeemed and the portion of the principal amount of any Security to be redeemed in part;
(e) that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(f) that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(g) the nature of any conditions precedent to the Company’s obligation to redeem the Securities on the redemption date; and
(h) any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
14
At the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense and provided that the form and content of such notice shall be prepared by the Company.
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is transmitted, mailed or published as provided in Section 3.03, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
Section 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
Article
4
Covenants
Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company shall duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
Section 4.02. SEC Reports. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee within 15 days after the filing by the Company with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA § 314(a). The Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to in this Section to the Trustee if the Company has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) and such reports are publicly available.
Section 4.03. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or vice president or treasurer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture) and, in the event of any Default, specifying each such Default and the nature and status thereof of which such Person may have knowledge. Such certificates need not comply with Section 11.05 of this Indenture.
Section 4.04. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.05. Corporate Existence. Subject to Article 5, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the
15
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
Section 4.06. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain an office or agency in the United States, where the Securities of a Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of a Series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.
The Company may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Securities of a Series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
Section 4.07. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to the Securities of any Series, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of such Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and premium or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for the Securities of any Series, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities, deposit with such Paying Agents sums sufficient (without duplication) to pay the principal and premium or interest so becoming due, such sums to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by it so to act.
The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for the Securities of any Series, other than the Company or the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall:
(i) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(ii) give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor upon such Securities) to make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Securities; and
(iii) at any time during the continuance of any such failure, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent and furnish to the Trustee such information as it possesses regarding the names and addresses of the Persons entitled to such sums.
The Company may at any time pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent and, if so stated in a Company Order delivered to the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of Article 8; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
16
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on request of the Company, or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust; and, upon such payment or discharge, the Holder of such Security shall, as an unsecured general creditor and not as the Holder of an outstanding Security, look only to the Company for payment of the amount so due and payable and remaining unpaid, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment to the Company, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in each case on any day of the week, in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be paid to the Company.
Section 4.08. Waiver of Certain Covenants. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for Securities of such Series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any Series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided herein or pursuant to Section 2.02(s) or Section 9.01(c) for the benefit of the Holders of such Series if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least 50% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series shall, by an Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such wavier shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Article
5
Successors
Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any Person (a “successor person”), and may not permit any Person to merge into, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, the Company, unless:
(a) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of Switzerland, the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and
(b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.
Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted. The successor person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such transfer or lease is made shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter (except in the case of a lease to another Person) the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Securities and, in the event of such conveyance or transfer, any such predecessor corporation may be dissolved and liquidated.
17
Article
6
Defaults and Remedies
Section 6.01. Events of Default.
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(a) a default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); provided that, a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of such Securities shall not constitute a failure to pay interest; or
(b) a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, any Security of that Series when due at its Maturity; or
(c) a default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or
(d) a default, subject to the provisions in Section 4.08, in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(e) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences a voluntary case,
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(v) generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or
(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,
(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property, or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
(g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.02(s).
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar applicable Swiss, Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
18
Section 6.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(a), (b) or (c) occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each such affected series then outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.
Except as otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Senior Securities pursuant to Section 2.02, if an Event of Default described in (d) or (g) above with respect to all series of the Senior Securities then outstanding, occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Senior Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the Senior Securities then outstanding hereunder (treated as one class) by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Senior Securities of any series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all of the Senior Securities then outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(e) or 6.01(f) above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all the Senior Securities then outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, shall become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
Except as otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Subordinated Securities pursuant to Section 2.02,, if an Event of Default described in (d) or (g) above with respect to all series of Subordinated Securities then outstanding, occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Subordinated Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the Subordinated Securities then outstanding hereunder (treated as one class) by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Subordinated Securities of any series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all of the Subordinated Securities then outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.
If an Event of Default described in (d) or (g) occurs and is continuing, which Event of Default is with respect to less than all series of Senior Securities then outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Senior Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Securities of each such affected series then outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.
If an Event of Default described in (d) or (g) occurs and is continuing, which Event of Default is with respect to less than all series of Subordinated Securities then outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Subordinated Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Securities of each such affected series then outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are
19
Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(i) all overdue interest, if any, on all Securities of that Series;
(ii) the principal of any Securities of that Series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;
(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon any overdue principal and overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;
(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(v) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if
(a) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(b) default is made in the payment of principal of any Security when due at the Maturity thereof, or
(c) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of a Security, then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal or any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or
20
deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 6.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same,
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 6.06. Application of Money Collected. Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07; and
Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without
21
preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
Third: To the Company.
Section 6.07. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of an Event of Default and the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of that Series;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 6.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.08, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
22
Section 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 6.12. Control by Holders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Trust Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.14. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
Article
7
Trustee
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
23
(i) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no other implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b), (c) and (g) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the TIA.
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and
24
protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(g) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses, losses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.
(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its rights to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(i) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(j) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.
(i) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
(ii) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall be responsible or liable to any person for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damage or loss (including but not limited to lost profits) whatsoever, even if the Trustee has been informed of the likelihood thereof and regardless of the form of action.
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is known to a Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, of or interest on any Security of any Series or in payment of any redemption obligation, the Trustee may
25
withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. As promptly as practicable after each May 15 beginning with [____], and in any event prior to July 15 in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail or by electronic transmission to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish in an Authorized Newspaper, a brief report dated as of May 15, each year if and to the extent required by TIA § 313(a). The Trustee shall also comply with TIA § 313(b) and TIA § 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its sending to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee, its officers, directors, employees and agents, and hold each of them harmless, against any and all loss, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by or in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities or the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided, however, that any failure so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company’s expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties’ defense and, in such indemnified parties’ reasonable judgment, there is no conflict of interest between the Company and such parties in connection with such defense. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct and gross negligence.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest and any liquidated damages on particular Securities of that Series.
The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
26
(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(c) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series and such Securityholders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall send a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, publish such notice on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities of the applicable Series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to such Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities of the applicable Series so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities of such Series shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities of such Series or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.
27
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims against Company. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.
Article
8
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture, with respect to Securities of any Series (if all Series issued under this Indenture are not to be effected) shall, upon Company Order, cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.01), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(a) Either
(i) all Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid or (B) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Sections 2.05 and 4.07) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all such Securities of such Series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
(A) have become due and payable, or
(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or
(D) are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.03, as applicable;
and the Company, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities of such Series which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
(iii) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(iv) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 4.07 (last paragraph only), 8.01, 8.02 and 8.05 shall survive.
Section 8.02. Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.05, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04, and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or
28
Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company if acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Section 8.03 or 8.04.
(a) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04, or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.
(b) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 8.03 or 8.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
Section 8.03. Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series. Unless this Section 8.03 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.02(x), to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of such Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, at Company Request, execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging the same), except as to:
(a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;
(b) the provisions of Sections 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 8.02, 8.03 and 8.05; and
(c) the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder;
provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(d) the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments) of and interest, if any, on all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal are due;
29
(e) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
(f) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;
(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized law firm to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;
(i) such deposit shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), or such trust shall be qualified under such Act or exempt from regulation thereunder; and
(j) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.03 have been complied with.
Section 8.04. Covenant Defeasance. Unless this Section 8.04 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.02(x) to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.02, 4.04, 4.05 and 5.01 as well as any additional covenants contained in a supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(x) (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 6.01) and the occurrence of any event described in clause (e) of Section 6.01 shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a) with reference to this Section 8.04, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.02(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay principal and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal are due;
(b) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
30
(c) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized law firm confirming that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;
(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and
(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.04 have been complied with.
Section 8.05. Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company (or its designee) upon Company Order any excess moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time. The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 4.07 shall apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any Series or Securities for which money or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Sections 8.03 and 8.04.
Section 8.06. Effect of Subordination Provisions. Unless otherwise expressly established pursuant to Section 2.02 with respect to the Subordinated Securities of any Series, the provisions of Article 10 hereof, insofar as they pertain to the Subordinated Securities of such series, and the Subordination Provisions established pursuant to Section 2.02(i) with respect to such Series, are hereby expressly made subject to the provisions for satisfaction and discharge and defeasance and covenant defeasance set forth in this Article 8 and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the effectiveness of such satisfaction and discharge and defeasance and covenant defeasance pursuant to this Article 8 with respect to the Securities of such Series, such Securities shall thereupon cease to be so subordinated and shall no longer be subject to the provisions of Article 10 or the Subordination Provisions established pursuant to Section 2.02(i) with respect to such series and, without limitation to the foregoing, all moneys, U.S. Government Obligations and other securities or property deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) in trust in connection with such satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, and all proceeds therefrom may be applied to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on, and mandatory sinking fund payments, if any with respect to the Securities of such Series as and when the same shall become due and payable notwithstanding the provisions of Article 10 or such Subordination Provisions.
Article
9
Amendments and Waivers
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:
(a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more Series any property or assets;
(b) to comply with Article 5;
(c) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such
31
additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default;
(d) add a guarantor or permit any Person to guarantee the obligations under any Series of Securities;
(e) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(f) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;
(g) to conform to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section, “Description of Debt Securities” section or other relevant section describing the terms of the Securities of the applicable prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering circular, offering memorandum or other relevant offering document;
(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;
(i) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(j) to make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder; and
(k) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such waiver by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall send to the Holders of Securities affected thereby and, if any Bearer Securities affected thereby are outstanding, publish on one occasion in an Authorized Newspaper, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to send or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
32
Section 9.03. Limitations. Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
(a) extend the final maturity of any Security;
(b) reduce the principal amount thereof, or premium thereon, if any;
(c) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon;
(d) reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof;
(e) make the principal thereof (including any amount in respect of original issue discount), or premium thereon, if any, or interest thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Securities or in accordance with the terms thereof;
(f) reduce the amount of the principal of a Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.04;
(g) in the case of Subordinated Securities of any series, modify any of the Subordination Provisions or the definition of “Senior Indebtedness” relating to such series in a manner adverse to the holders of such Subordinated Securities;
(h) alter the provisions of Section 11.15 or 11.16;
(i) impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof when due or, if the Securities provide therefor, any right of repayment at the option of the Securityholder;
(j) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any Series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture; or
(k) modify any provision of this Section 9.03.
Section 9.04. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.05. Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective.
Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (g) of Section 9.03. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any
33
consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Securityholders after such record date.
Section 9.06. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon written request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.
Section 9.07. Trustee Protected. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.
Article
10
Subordination of Securities
Section 10.01. Agreement to Subordinate. The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Subordinated Securities of any Series by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, in respect of each and all of the Subordinated Securities of such series shall be expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Subordination Provisions established with respect to the Subordinated Securities of such Series pursuant to Section 2.02(i) hereof, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt with respect to such Series.
Article
11
Miscellaneous
Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
Section 11.02. Notices. Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person, mailed by first-class mail or delivered by electronic transmission:
if to the Company:
ADC Therapeutics SA
c/o ADC Therapeutics America, Inc.
430 Mountain Avenue, 4th Floor
Murray Hill, NJ 07974
Attention: General Counsel
if to the Trustee:
[___]
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be provided by electronic transmission or by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar and, if any Bearer Securities are outstanding, published in an Authorized Newspaper. Failure to provide a notice or communication to a
34
Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.
If a notice or communication is provided or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
If the Company provides a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall provide a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice by the Company when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, wherever notice is to be given to Securityholders of Registered Global Securities, it shall be sufficient if such notice is given in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary.
Section 11.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 11.07. Legal Holidays. Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the city (or in any of the cities, if more than one) in which amounts are payable, as specified in the form of such Security, are not required by any applicable law or regulation to be open. If a payment date for the payment of principal or interest on any Security falls on a Legal
35
Holiday, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
Section 11.08. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities and the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities and the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto.
Section 11.09. Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 11.10. Governing Laws; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH SECURITY SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND NEW YORK CIVIL PRACTICE LAWS AND RULES 327(b).
The Company submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or United States Federal court sitting in The City of New York over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Securities. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 11.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 11.12. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
Section 11.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 11.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 11.15. Securities in a Foreign Currency. Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such
36
time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars, then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 11.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.
Section 11.16. Judgment Currency. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
Section 11.17. Acts of Holders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Securityholders of any or all Series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Securityholders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “ACT” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 11.17.
(b) Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be
37
prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security register or by a certificate of the registrar thereof.
(c) The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Security register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Holder of any Bearer Security as the absolute owner of such Bearer Security (whether or not such Bearer Security shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such person, or upon his order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Bearer Security. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Registered Global Security.
(d) At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in this Section 11.17, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action.
Section 11.18. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee or any Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee and such Agent shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Article
12
Sinking Funds
Section 12.01. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may
38
be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.
Section 12.02. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (a) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (b) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 12.02, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
Section 12.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 12.02, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.02 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.03. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.04, 3.05 and 3.06.
39
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
|
ADC Therapeutics SA | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
|
[___], as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 5.1
|
ADC Therapeutics SA Biopôle 1066 Epalinges Switzerland
|
Homburger AG Prime Tower Hardstrasse 201 CH-8005 Zurich
homburger.ch
|
March 15, 2023
ADC Therapeutics SA – Registration Statement on Form F-3
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have acted as special Swiss counsel to ADC Therapeutics SA, a stock corporation incorporated under the laws of Switzerland (the Company), in connection with the filing of (i) a registration statement on Form F-3 (the Registration Statement), including a prospectus, to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on the date hereof for the purpose of registering under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), certain securities, including (a) common shares of the Company, each with a nominal value of CHF 0.08 (the Common Shares), (b) debt securities of the Company (the Debt Securities), (c) warrants of the Company (the Warrants), (d) purchase contracts (the Purchase Contracts), (e) units (the Units), and (f) subscription rights (the Rights, and together with the Debt Securities, the Warrants, the Purchase Contracts and the Units, the Securities) and (ii) a prospectus supplement (the Prospectus) to be filed with the SEC on the date hereof relating to the offering and sale by the Company of Common Shares for an aggregate offer price of up to USD 150,000,000 (the Offered Shares). As such counsel, we have been requested to give our opinion as to certain legal matters of Swiss law.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Documents (as defined below).
| I. | Basis of Opinion |
This opinion is confined to and given on the basis of the laws of Switzerland in force at the date hereof. Such laws and the interpretation thereof are subject to change.
This opinion is also confined to:
| a) | the matters stated herein and is not to be read as extending, by implication or otherwise, to any other matter, agreement or document referred to in any of the Documents (as defined below); and |
| b) | the documents listed below (collectively, the Documents). |
For the purpose of giving this opinion, we have only examined originals or copies of the following documents:
| (i) | an electronic copy of the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus; |
| (ii) | an electronic copy of the articles of association (statuts) of the Company, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement (the Articles); and |
| (iii) | electronic copies of the circular resolutions of the Company's board of directors (the Board of Directors) dated June 3, 2021, approving, among other things, the issuance, offering and sale of the Offered Shares, and dated March 14, 2023, approving, among other things, the filing of the Registration Statement and of the Prospectus with the SEC (collectively, the Board Resolution). |
No documents have been reviewed by us in connection with this opinion other than those listed above. Accordingly, our opinion is limited to the Documents and their impact on the parties under Swiss law.
In this opinion, Swiss legal concepts are expressed in English terms and not in their original language. These concepts may not be identical to the concepts described by the same English terms as they exist under the laws of other jurisdictions. With respect to Documents governed by laws other than the laws of Switzerland, for purposes of this opinion we have relied on the plain meaning of the words and expressions contained therein without regard to any import they may have under the relevant governing law.
| II. | Assumptions |
In rendering the opinion below, we have assumed the following:
| (a) | all documents produced to us as originals are authentic and complete, and all documents produced to us as copies (including, without limitation, electronic copies) conform to the original; |
| (b) | all documents produced to us as originals and the originals of all documents produced to us as copies were duly executed and certified, as applicable, by the individuals purported to have executed or certified, as the case may be, such documents; |
| (c) | all documents produced to us in draft form will be executed in the form of the draft submitted to us; |
| (d) | each party to the Documents is a corporation or other legal entity duly organized and validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and/or establishment and none of the parties to the Documents (other than the Company) has passed or, until the issuance of all Common Shares, will have passed a voluntary winding-up resolution; no petition has been, or, until the issuance of all Common Shares, will be presented or order made by a court for the winding-up, dissolution, bankruptcy or administration of any party (other than the Company); and no receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, administrator or similar officer has been or, until the issuance of all Common Shares, will have been appointed in relation to any of the parties (other than the Company) or any of their assets or revenues; |
| (e) | to the extent relevant for purposes of this opinion, any and all information contained in the Documents is and will be true, complete and accurate at all relevant times; |
| (f) | no laws (other than those of Switzerland) affect any of the conclusions stated in this opinion; |
| (g) | the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Articles are unchanged and correct, complete and up-to-date and in full force and effect as of the date hereof and no changes have been made which should have been or should be reflected in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Articles of Association, as the case may be, as of the date hereof; |
| (h) | the Board Resolution has been duly resolved in a duly executed circular resolution, and has not been rescinded or amended and is in full force and effect; |
| (i) | prior to the issuance, offering and sale of any Common Shares and/or Securities, the Board of Directors of the Company will have duly authorized the issuance, offering and sale of such Common Shares and/or Securities and will have validly excluded the pre-emptive rights of the existing shareholders for purposes of the issuance, offering and sale of such Common Shares and/or Securities as contemplated in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as applicable, and such authorization and exclusion will not have been amended and will be in full force and effect until the issuance of all such Common Shares and/or Securities; |
| (j) | all exercise notices with respect to Common Shares issued out of the Company's conditional share capital for financing, acquisitions and other purposes (the Conditional Share Capital) will be duly delivered in accordance with Swiss law and the underlying contractual arrangements; |
| (k) | the Company has not entered and will not enter into any transaction which could be construed as repayment of share capital (restitution des versements) and has not undertaken and will not undertake an acquisition in kind (reprise de biens) or intended acquisition in kind (reprise |
de biens envisagée) without complying with the formal procedure set forth in article 628 of the Swiss Code of Obligations; and
| (l) | all authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses, exemptions, other than as required by mandatory Swiss law applicable to the Company or the Articles, and other requirements for the filing of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or for any other activities carried on in view of, or in connection with, the performance of the obligations expressed to be undertaken by the Company in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus have been duly obtained or fulfilled in due time and are and will remain in full force and effect, and any related conditions to which the parties thereto are subject have been satisfied. |
| III. | Opinion |
Based on the foregoing assumptions and subject to the qualifications set out below, we express the following opinion:
As of the date hereof, the Common Shares and any Common Shares to be issued upon conversion, exercise, exchange or otherwise pursuant to the terms of any of the Securities, and the Offered Shares, in each case if and when issued and paid for pursuant to the Articles, the underlying contractual arrangements and Swiss law—in particular after the written conversion or exercise notice has been given (if applicable) and the issue price for such Common Shares has been paid-in in accordance with the Articles, the underlying contractual arrangements and Swiss law and upon registration of the corresponding share capital increase into the Commercial Register of the Canton of Vaud (if applicable)—and if and when such Common Shares have been entered into the Company's book of uncertificated securities, have been or will be, as applicable, validly issued, fully paid as to their nominal value and non-assessable.
| IV. | Qualifications |
The above opinion is subject to the following qualifications:
| (a) | The lawyers of our firm are admitted to the Zurich bar and do not hold themselves to be experts in any laws other than the laws of Switzerland. Accordingly, our opinion is confined to Swiss law only, based on our independent professional judgment. We have abstained from examining any issues of any other laws. |
| (b) | The exercise of voting rights and rights related thereto with respect to any Common Shares is only permissible after registration in the Company's share register as a shareholder with voting rights in accordance with the provisions of, and subject to the limitations provided in, the Articles. |
| (c) | We express no opinion as to whether the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are accurate, true, correct, complete or not misleading. In particular, and without limitation to the foregoing, we express no opinion on whether the Registration Statement and the Prospectus provide sufficient information for investors to reach an informed assessment of the Company, any companies within the Company's consolidation perimeter and the Common Shares. |
| (d) | We express no opinion as to regulatory matters or as to any commercial, accounting, calculating, auditing or other non-legal matter. |
We have issued this opinion as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to advise you of any changes that are made or brought to our attention hereafter.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
This opinion shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Switzerland. We confirm our understanding that all disputes arising out of or in connection with this opinion shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, venue being Zurich 1.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Daniel Häusermann
Homburger AG
Daniel Häusermann
Exhibit 5.2
OPINION OF DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
March 15, 2023
ADC Therapeutics SA
Biopôle
Route de la Corniche 3B
1066 Epalinges
Switzerland
Ladies and Gentlemen:
ADC Therapeutics SA, a société anonyme organized under the laws of Switzerland (the “Company”) is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (a) common shares, par value CHF 0.08 per share (the “Common Shares”) of the Company; (b) the Company’s debt securities (the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be entered into between the Company and the trustee to be named therein (the “Trustee”) (the “Indenture”); (c) warrants of the Company (the “Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements to be entered into between the Company and the warrant agent to be named therein (the “Warrant Agent”) (each such warrant agreement, a “Warrant Agreement”); (d) purchase contracts (the “Purchase Contracts”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements to be entered into between the Company and the purchase contract agent to be named therein (the “Purchase Contract Agent”) (each such purchase contract agreement, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”); (e) units (the “Units”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements to be entered into among the Company, a bank or trust company, as unit agent (the “Unit Agent”), and the holders from time to time of the Units (each such unit agreement, a “Unit Agreement”); and (f) subscription rights (the “Rights”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more subscription rights agreements to be entered into between the Company and the subscription agent to be named therein (the “Rights Agent”) (each such subscription rights agreement, a “Rights Agreement”).
We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.
In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that have not been executed will conform to the forms thereof, (iv) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (v) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (vi) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vii) all representations made by the Company as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion:
| 1. | When the Indenture and any supplemental indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and the Company; the specific terms of a particular series of Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Indenture; and such Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject |
to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, provided that we express no opinion as to (w) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law, (x) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above, (y) the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any section of the Indenture that requires or relates to adjustments to the conversion rate at a rate or in an amount that a court would determine in the circumstances under applicable law to be commercially unreasonable or a penalty or forfeiture or (z) the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision that permits holders to collect any portion of stated principal amount upon acceleration of the Debt Securities to the extent determined to constitute unearned interest.
| 2. | When the Warrant Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Warrant Agreement; and such Warrants have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
| 3. | When the Purchase Contract Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Purchase Contracts has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement; and such Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
| 4. | When the Unit Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Unit Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Units have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Unit Agreement; and such Units have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Unit Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
| 5. | When the Rights Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Rights has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Rights Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Rights have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Rights Agreement; and such Rights have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Rights Agreement and the |
applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights.
In connection with the opinions expressed above, we have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any such security, (i) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have duly established the terms of such security and the Board of Directors of the Company and, to the extent required under Swiss law, the shareholders of the Company shall have duly authorized the issuance and sale of such security and such authorization shall not have been modified or rescinded; (ii) the Company is, and shall remain, validly existing as a corporation in good standing (to the extent such concept exists) under the laws of Switzerland; (iii) the Registration Statement shall have become effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded; (iv) the Indenture, the Debt Securities, the Warrant Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agreement, the Unit Agreement and the Rights Agreement are each valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company); and (v) there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such security. We have also assumed that the terms of any security whose terms are established subsequent to the date hereof and the issuance, execution, delivery and performance by the Company of any such security (a) are within its corporate powers, (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, the articles of association or other constitutive documents of the Company, (c) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (d) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or public policy or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company and (ii) any Warrant Agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement, Unit Agreement and Rights Agreement and any security issued pursuant to any such agreements will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States. Insofar as the foregoing opinion involves matters governed by the laws of Switzerland, we have relied, without independent inquiry or investigation, on the opinion of Homburger AG delivered to you today.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement referred to above and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of ADC Therapeutics SA of our report dated March 15, 2023 relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in ADC Therapeutics SA’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers SA
Lausanne, Switzerland
March 15, 2023