| |
Belgium
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization) |
| |
2836
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
| |
N/A
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
|
| |
Michael H. Bison
Marishka DeToy Stephanie Richards Goodwin Procter LLP 100 Northern Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02210 (617) 570-1000 |
| |
Roel Meers
Baker McKenzie BV/SRL Bolwerklaan 21 Avenue du Boulevard Box 1 1210 Brussels Belgium +32 2 639 36 11 |
| |
Niek De Pauw
Clifford Chance LLP Avenue Louise 149 Box 2 1050 Brussels Belgium + 32 253 35072 |
| |
Marcel Fausten
Yasin Keshvargar Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 450 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 (212) 450-4000 |
|
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| | | | | F-1 | | | |
| | | |
For the nine-months
Ended September 30, |
| |
For the Year
Ended December 31, |
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
(In thousands of € except for per share amounts)
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | (35,015) | | | | | | (28,582) | | | | | | (39,310) | | | | | | (26,311) | | |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | (9,620) | | | | | | (8,664) | | | | | | (10,133) | | | | | | (6,097) | | |
|
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | (44,635) | | | | | | (37,246) | | | | | | (49,443) | | | | | | (32,408) | | |
|
Other operating income
|
| | | | 1,887 | | | | | | 1,039 | | | | | | 1,422 | | | | | | 1,218 | | |
|
Operating loss
|
| | | | (42,748) | | | | | | (36,207) | | | | | | (48,021) | | | | | | (31,190) | | |
|
Changes in fair value of financial liabilities
|
| | | | (3,227) | | | | | | 1,147 | | | | | | 848 | | | | | | 18,964 | | |
|
Financial expenses
|
| | | | (199) | | | | | | (222) | | | | | | (357) | | | | | | (86) | | |
|
Financial income
|
| | | | 1,028 | | | | | | 747 | | | | | | 1,267 | | | | | | 303 | | |
|
Loss before taxes
|
| | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34,535) | | | | | | (46,263) | | | | | | (12,009) | | |
|
Income tax (expense)/income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4) | | | | | | 619 | | |
|
Loss for the period*
|
| | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34,535) | | | | | | (46,267) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
| Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Foreign currency translation differences
|
| | | | 64 | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | (10) | | | | | | — | | |
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligations
|
| | | | (3) | | | | | | (55) | | | | | | (73) | | | | | | — | | |
|
Other comprehensive loss for the period, net of tax
|
| | | | 61 | | | | | | (54) | | | | | | (83) | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the period*
|
| | | | (45,085) | | | | | | (34,589) | | | | | | (46,350) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
|
Basic and diluted loss per share
|
| | | | (2.26) | | | | | | (1.68) | | | | | | (2.31) | | | | | | (0.77) | | |
|
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share (unaudited)(1)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Pro forma weighted average number of common shares outstanding (unaudited)(1)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
As of September 30, 2025
|
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Actual
|
| |
Pro Forma(1)
|
| |
Pro Forma,
As Adjusted(2) |
| |||
| Consolidated statement of financial position: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 129,585 | | | | | | | | |
|
Total assets
|
| | | | 165,631 | | | | | | | | |
|
Total liabilities
|
| | | | 18,700 | | | | | | | | |
|
Share capital
|
| | | | 223,072 | | | | | | | | |
|
Share premium reserve
|
| | | | 76,634 | | | | | | | | |
|
Share-based payment reserves
|
| | | | 12,457 | | | | | | | | |
|
Other reserves
|
| | | | (966) | | | | | | | | |
|
Accumulated loss
|
| | | | (164,266) | | | | | | | | |
|
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent
|
| | | | 146,931 | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
As of September 30, 2025
|
| |||||||||||||||
|
(In thousands of € except for per share amounts)
|
| |
Actual
|
| |
Pro
forma(1) |
| |
Pro forma
adjusted |
| |||||||||
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 129,585 | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
|
Shareholders’ equity:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Preferred shares, no value per share; 1,553,522 shares authorized,
1,553,522 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 1,553,522 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Common shares, no value per share; 25,000 shares authorized, 25,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 1,578,522 shares authorized, 1,578,522 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as
adjusted |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Share capital
|
| | | | 223,072 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Share premium reserve
|
| | | | 76,634 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Share-based payment reserves
|
| | | | 12,457 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Other reserves
|
| | | | (966) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Accumulated loss
|
| | | | (164,266) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Total shareholders’ equity
|
| | | | 146,931 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Total capitalization
|
| | | | 276,516 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Assumed initial public offering price per ADS
|
| | | € | ($ ) | | |
| |
Historical net tangible book value per ADS as of September 30, 2025
|
| | | € | 118.2($138.7) | | |
| |
Decrease per ADS attributable to the pro forma adjustments described above
|
| | | € | ($ ) | | |
| |
Pro forma net tangible book value per ADS as of September 30, 2025
|
| | | € | ($ ) | | |
| |
Increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value attributable to new investors purchasing ADSs in this offering
|
| | | € | ($ ) | | |
| |
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ADS after this offering
|
| | | € | ($ ) | | |
| |
Dilution per share to new investors purchasing ADSs in this offering
|
| | | € | ($ ) | | |
| | | |
ADSs purchased
|
| |
Total consideration
|
| |
Average price
per ADS |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | | |
Number
|
| |
Percent
|
| |
Amount
|
| |
Percent
|
| |||||||||||||||
|
Existing shareholders
|
| |
|
| | | | % | | | | | € | ($ ) | | | | | | % | | | | | € | ($ ) | | |
|
New investors
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | € | ($ ) | | | | | | | | | | | € | ($ ) | | |
|
Totals
|
| | | | | | | 100.0% | | | | | € | ($ ) | | | | | | 100.0% | | | | | € | ($ ) | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
| | | |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| |
Change
|
| |
% Change
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | |
(in thousands EUR)
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | (35,015) | | | | | | (28,582) | | | | | | (6,433) | | | | | | 23% | | |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | (9,620) | | | | | | (8,664) | | | | | | (956) | | | | | | 11% | | |
|
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | (44,635) | | | | | | (37,246) | | | | | | (7,389) | | | | | | 20% | | |
|
Other operating income
|
| | | | 1,887 | | | | | | 1,039 | | | | | | 848 | | | | | | 82% | | |
|
Operating loss
|
| | | | (42,748) | | | | | | (36,207) | | | | | | (6,541) | | | | | | 18% | | |
|
Changes in fair value of financial liabilities
|
| | | | (3,227) | | | | | | 1,147 | | | | | | (4,374) | | | | | | (381)% | | |
|
Financial expenses
|
| | | | (199) | | | | | | (222) | | | | | | 23 | | | | | | (10)% | | |
|
Financial income
|
| | | | 1,028 | | | | | | 747 | | | | | | 281 | | | | | | 38% | | |
|
Loss before taxes
|
| | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34,535) | | | | | | (10,611) | | | | | | 31% | | |
|
Tax income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Loss for the period
|
| | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34,535) | | | | | | (10,611) | | | | | | 31% | | |
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Basic and diluted loss per share (in thousands of €)
|
| | | | (2.26) | | | | | | (1.68) | | | | | | (0.58) | | | | | | 35% | | |
| | | |
For the nine months
ended September 30 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
| | | |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| |
Change
|
| |
% Change
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | |
(in thousands EUR)
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
ontunisertib
|
| | | | 17,307 | | | | | | 13,793 | | | | | | 3,514 | | | | | | 25% | | |
|
AGMB-447
|
| | | | 12,013 | | | | | | 9,221 | | | | | | 2,792 | | | | | | 30% | | |
|
Unallocated expenses on other research programs(1)
|
| | | | 5,695 | | | | | | 5,568 | | | | | | 126 | | | | | | 2% | | |
|
Total R&D expenses
|
| | | | (35,015) | | | | | | (28,582) | | | | | | (6,433) | | | | | | 23% | | |
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
| | | |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| |
Change
|
| |
% Change
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | |
(in thousands EUR)
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
Research and development expenses
|
| | | | (39,310) | | | | | | (26,311) | | | | | | (12,999) | | | | | | 49% | | |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
| | | | (10,133) | | | | | | (6,097) | | | | | | (4,036) | | | | | | 66% | | |
|
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | (49,443) | | | | | | (32,408) | | | | | | (17,035) | | | | | | 53% | | |
|
Other operating income
|
| | | | 1,422 | | | | | | 1,218 | | | | | | 204 | | | | | | 17% | | |
|
Operating loss
|
| | | | (48,021) | | | | | | (31,190) | | | | | | (16,831) | | | | | | 54% | | |
|
Changes in fair value of financial liabilities
|
| | | | 848 | | | | | | 18,964 | | | | | | (18,116) | | | | | | (96)% | | |
|
Financial expenses
|
| | | | (357) | | | | | | (86) | | | | | | (271) | | | | | | 315% | | |
|
Financial income
|
| | | | 1,267 | | | | | | 303 | | | | | | 964 | | | | | | 318% | | |
|
Loss before taxes
|
| | | | (46,263) | | | | | | (12,009) | | | | | | (34,254) | | | | | | 285% | | |
|
Income tax (expense)/income
|
| | | | (4) | | | | | | 619 | | | | | | (623) | | | | | | (101)% | | |
|
Loss for the year
|
| | | | (46,267) | | | | | | (11,390) | | | | | | (34,877) | | | | | | 306% | | |
|
Other comprehensive loss for the period, net of tax
|
| | | | (83) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the year
|
| | | | (46,350) | | | | | | (11,390) | | | | | | (34,960) | | | | | | 307% | | |
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
| | | |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| |
Change
|
| |
% Change
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | |
(in thousands EUR)
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
ontunisertib
|
| | | | 19,383 | | | | | | 10,623 | | | | | | 8,760 | | | | | | 82% | | |
|
AGMB-447
|
| | | | 12,497 | | | | | | 9,448 | | | | | | 3,049 | | | | | | 32% | | |
|
Unallocated expenses on other research programs(1)
|
| | | | 7,430 | | | | | | 6,241 | | | | | | 1,189 | | | | | | 19% | | |
|
Total R&D expenses
|
| | | | 39,310 | | | | | | 26,311 | | | | | | 12,999 | | | | | | 49% | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
| | | |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| |
Change
|
| |
% Change
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | |
(in thousands EUR)
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
| | | | (38,570) | | | | | | (34,391) | | | | | | (4,179) | | | | | | 12% | | |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
| | | | (3,000) | | | | | | (312) | | | | | | (2,688) | | | | | | 862% | | |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
| | | | (304) | | | | | | 14,900 | | | | | | (15,204) | | | | | | (102)% | | |
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | (41,874) | | | | | | (19,803) | | | | | | (22,071) | | | | | | 111% | | |
| | | |
For the years ended
December 31 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
| | | |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| |
Change
|
| |
% Change
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | |
(in thousands EUR)
|
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
| | | | (46,828) | | | | | | (24,592) | | | | | | (22,236) | | | | | | 90% | | |
|
Net cash from (used in) investing activities
|
| | | | (675) | | | | | | 40,000 | | | | | | (40,675) | | | | | | (102)% | | |
|
Net cash from financing activities
|
| | | | 96,762 | | | | | | 79,324 | | | | | | 17,438 | | | | | | 22% | | |
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 49,260 | | | | | | 94,732 | | | | | | (45,472) | | | | | | (48)% | | |
|
Preclinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
|
Preclinical pharmacokinetics
Ontunisertib (AGMB-129) resulted in high exposure to the gastrointestinal tract and ileum, with minimal systemic exposure |
| |
•
In a preclinical rat model, area under the curve was 10,000-fold higher in the ileum compared to plasma
•
Ontunisertib (AGMB-129) shown to have very short half-life in vitro in human hepatocytes and in hepatocytes from several animal species
|
|
|
Activity in in vivo DSS mouse model
Ontunisertib (AGMB-129) showed the ability to prevent and treat fibrosis in dextran sodium sulfate, or DSS, mouse model with evidence of potential impact on inflammation |
| |
•
DSS model is one of the most widely used preclinical models of IBD*
•
Preventive setting: ontunisertib (AGMB-129) prevented an increase in both collagen staining and histological score compared to control
•
Therapeutic setting: ontunisertib (AGMB-129) led to decreases in both collagen staining and histological score compared to control
•
Significant change in histological score observed at highest dose largely due to a reduction in immune infiltration
|
|
|
Activity in ex vivo IBD biopsies
Ontunisertib (AGMB-129) led to downregulation of expression of both fibrotic and inflammatory genes in a preclinical study |
| |
•
Patient-derived gastrointestinal biopsies from IBD patients were treated ex vivo
•
Ontunisertib (AGMB-129) led to significant reductions in fibrotic genes, as well as in certain inflammatory genes
•
RNA sequencing of IBD biopsies showed a high proportion of genes related to fibrosis were downregulated by ontunisertib (AGMB-129)
|
|
|
Preclinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
|
Activity in primary cell cultures
Ontunisertib (AGMB-129) showed in vitro inhibition of TGFβ pathway activation and expression of collagen |
| |
•
Primary intestinal fibroblast cells isolated from ileal resections from stricture surgery of CD patients were analyzed in vitro
•
Ontunisertib (AGMB-129) demonstrated significant inhibition of both (a) TGFβ-induced phosphorylation of SMAD2-3, a downstream biomarker of TGFβ pathway activation; and (b) expression of collagen A1, or ColA1, a key fibrotic protein
|
|
|
Toxicology studies
No cardiac valve lesions observed with ontunisertib (AGMB-129) |
| |
•
No cardiac valve lesions have been observed in good laboratory practice, or GLP, toxicology studies of AGMB-129 to date, including chronic toxicology studies in rodents and non-rodents
|
|
|
Clinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
|
Orally administered single-and
multiple-dose ontunisertib was observed to be generally well tolerated, with no dose limiting toxicities |
| |
•
A total of 125 healthy participants received oral ontunisertib as part of
the Phase 1 trial
•
No safety signals were observed and there were no dose limiting
toxicities in this Phase 1 trial with ontunisertib
|
|
|
Clinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
| Ontunisertib observed to have a short half-life leading to very low systemic exposure | | |
•
Single ascending-dose (SAD) and multiple ascending-dose (MAD) trials confirmed that ontunisertib has a short half-life in plasma leading to very low systemic exposure to the active parent compound
•
Plasma levels of the main human metabolite of ontunisertib were found to be thousands of times higher than levels of ontunisertib, indicating efficient absorption and metabolization of ontunisertib
•
Repeat exposure to ontunisertib in the MAD trial showed that systemic levels of ontunisertib remained low with no relevant accumulation, while the inactive metabolite MET-158, which is produced in the liver, was identified as the most predominant human metabolite
|
|
| Main human ontunisertib metabolites are functionally inactive | | |
•
Main human metabolites of ontunisertib identified by metabolite profiling of clinical samples were found to be inactive against ALK5
•
The ALK5 IC50 was 75nM with ontunisertib. By contrast, the IC50 of MET-158, the major metabolite observed in the Phase 1 trial, was too high to be determined in the assays
|
|
| High exposure of ontunisertib demonstrated in the ileal mucosa | | |
•
Local drug levels were measured in the ileal mucosa of nine healthy participants receiving oral ontunisertib at 200mg BID for ten days, and three healthy subjects receiving matching placebo
•
The concentration of ontunisertib in these tissue samples was at micromolar level for all participants, well above the 75nM IC50 for ALK5 inhibition determined in cellular assays and consistent with concentrations achieved in the ileum at pharmacological doses in mice
|
|
| Food effect analysis suggests ontunisertib can be administered with food | | |
•
Ontunisertib was administered as a single 400mg dose in fasted or fed conditions to evaluate the effect of food intake on the pharmacokinetics of ontunisertib
•
In the presence of food, ontunisertib absorption is higher, less variable and delayed compared to fasted conditions
•
We believe ontunisertib can be taken with meals, which may result in more thorough and consistent absorption and greater convenience for the patient
|
|
| Lack of drug-drug interaction suggests potential for ontunisertib as an add-on treatment | | |
•
A total of 14 healthy participants were included in a dedicated drug-drug interaction trial to evaluate the potential of ontunisertib to cause drug-drug interactions through CYP3A4, a metabolizing enzyme involved in the degradation of many drugs
•
The trial indicated that ontunisertib is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4 in humans and therefore does not require specific precautions when used with drugs known to be metabolized by CYP3A4
|
|
|
Clinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
| An oral bioavailability study did not reveal a benefit of a new tablet formulation compared to the capsule formulation used to date | | |
•
A total of 25 healthy participants received single-dose ontunisertib 200mg in the reference capsule formulation in the fed state, as well as a new tablet formulation in the fed and fasted states, in a sequential design
•
No safety signals were observed for single-dose ontunisertib administered in either capsule or tablet formulation, consistent with prior single dose trials
•
The relative oral bioavailability of AGMB-129 was higher in terms of Cmax (1.70-fold) and AUC0-t (1.25-fold) when AGMB-129 200mg was administered as a tablet formulation compared to a capsule formulation (both administered following a high-fat breakfast)
|
|
| | | |
Stage A
|
| | |
Stage B
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | |
AGMB-129
(N=24) n (%) E |
| |
Placebo
(N=8) n (%) E |
| |
Overall
(N=32) n (%) E |
| | |
AGMB-129
(N=18) n (%) E |
| |
Placebo
(N=6) n (%) E |
| |
Overall
(N=24) n (%) E |
|
|
Any TEAE
|
| |
5 (20.8) 11
|
| |
2 (25.0) 5
|
| |
7 (21.9) 16
|
| | |
8 (44.4) 15
|
| |
2 (33.3) 8
|
| |
10 (41.7) 23
|
|
|
Mild
|
| |
5 (20.8) 11
|
| |
2 (25.0) 5
|
| |
7 (21.9) 16
|
| | |
6 (33.3) 11
|
| |
2 (33.3) 8
|
| |
8 (33.3) 19
|
|
|
Moderate
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| | |
2 (11.1) 4
|
| |
0
|
| |
2 (8.3) 4
|
|
|
Severe
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| | |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
|
|
Related TEAEs
|
| |
4 (16.7) 4
|
| |
2 (25.0) 5
|
| |
6 (18.8) 9
|
| | |
8 (44.4) 14
|
| |
2 (33.3) 7
|
| |
10 (41.7) 21
|
|
|
Serious TEAEs
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| | |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
|
|
TEAEs leading to study discontinuation
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| | |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
|
| | | |
Stage C
|
| | |
Stage D
|
| ||||||||||||
| | | |
AGMB-129
(N=11) n (%) E |
| |
Placebo
(N=2) n (%) E |
| |
Overall
(N=13) n (%) E |
| | |
AGMB-129
(N=9) n (%) E |
| |
Placebo
(N=4) n (%) E |
| |
Overall
(N=13) n (%) E |
|
|
Any TEAE
|
| |
9 (81.8) 20
|
| |
1 (50.0) 2
|
| |
10 (76.9) 22
|
| | |
2 (22.2) 3
|
| |
1 (25.0) 6
|
| |
3 (23.1) 9
|
|
|
Mild
|
| |
6 (54.5) 17
|
| |
0
|
| |
6 (46.2) 18
|
| | |
1 (11.1) 2
|
| |
0
|
| |
1 (7.7) 2
|
|
|
Moderate
|
| |
3 (27.3) 3
|
| |
1 (50.0) 1
|
| |
4 (30.8) 4
|
| | |
1 (11.1) 1
|
| |
1 (25.0) 6
|
| |
2 (15.4) 7
|
|
|
Severe
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| | |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
|
|
Related TEAEs
|
| |
7 (63.6) 17
|
| |
1 (50.0) 1
|
| |
8 (61.5) 18
|
| | |
1 (11.1) 2
|
| |
0
|
| |
1 (7.7) 2
|
|
|
Serious TEAEs
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| | |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
|
|
TEAEs leading to study discontinuation
|
| |
1 (9.1) 1
|
| |
0
|
| |
1 (7.7) 1
|
| | |
0
|
| |
1 (25.0) 5
|
| |
1 (7.7) 5
|
|
|
Clinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
| Orally administered 200mg BID and 100mg QD of ontunisertib was observed to be generally well tolerated, with no safety signal in FSCD patients | | |
•
A total of 103 participants were included in the Phase 2a trial, with 34 receiving ontunisertib 200mg BID, 34 receiving 100mg QD, and 35 receiving matching placebo
•
Severity and incidence of adverse events were balanced across treatment arms, including placebo
•
No safety signals were detected in the Phase 2a trial with ontunisertib
•
No safety signals of cardiac toxicity, no pro-inflammatory effects, and no other safety signals in any safety labs, vital signs, physical exams or ECGs
|
|
| High local exposure to ontunisertib in the GI tract, with minimal systemic exposure | | |
•
The PK profile indicates high local exposure to ontunisertib in the GI tract, with minimal systemic exposure as measured in plasma. These results support the GI-restricted profile of ontunisertib in FSCD patients
|
|
| Main human ontunisertib metabolite is functionally inactive | | |
•
Main human metabolite of ontunisertib measured in plasma confirmed to be MET-158, a metabolite previously found to be inactive against ALK5
|
|
| Consistent trends across several clinical exploratory endpoints observed for 200mg BID vs placebo | | |
•
For participants receiving ontunisertib 200mg BID, we observed a greater reduction in the total Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD) and a greater proportion of these participants achieved endoscopic response and endoscopic remission compared to participants receiving placebo at Week 12
•
In participants with non-passable strictures at baseline, a greater proportion of participants had strictures that became passable at Week 12 in the 200mg BID dose of ontunisertib, compared to participants receiving placebo
•
Similarly, participants receiving ontunisertib 200mg BID tended to show reduced progression in stricture length, compared to those receiving placebo, as measured by magnetic resonance enterography, or MRE
|
|
|
n (%)
|
| |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID (N=34) |
| |
AGMB-129
100 mg QD (N=34) |
| |
Placebo
(N=35) |
| |
All Subjects
(N=103) |
| ||||||||||||
| Treatment disposition | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Completed
|
| | | | 29 (85.3) | | | | | | 32 (94.1) | | | | | | 31 (88.6) | | | | | | 92 (89.3) | | |
|
Discontinued
|
| | | | 5 (14.7) | | | | | | 2 (5.9) | | | | | | 4 (11.4) | | | | | | 11 (10.7) | | |
|
Adverse event
|
| | | | 5 (14.7) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 2 (5.7) | | | | | | 7 (6.8) | | |
|
Non-compliance with study schedule
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (2.9) | | | | | | 1 (1.0) | | |
|
Withdrawal by subject
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 2 (5.9) | | | | | | 1 (2.9) | | | | | | 3 (2.9) | | |
|
Parameter
|
| |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID (N=34) |
| |
AGMB-129
100 mg QD (N=34) |
| |
Placebo
(N=35) |
| |
All Subjects
(N=103) |
| ||||||||||||
|
Age (years), mean (SD)
|
| | | | 44.2 (12.6) | | | | | | 41.0 (13.5) | | | | | | 42.8 (15.3) | | | | | | 42.7 (13.8) | | |
|
Female, n (%)
|
| | | | 9 (26.5) | | | | | | 9 (26.5) | | | | | | 12 (34.3) | | | | | | 30 (29.1) | | |
|
White, n (%)
|
| | | | 32 (94.1) | | | | | | 31 (91.2) | | | | | | 30 (85.7) | | | | | | 93 (90.3) | | |
|
BMI (kg/m2), mean (SD)
|
| | | | 25.9 (5.5) | | | | | | 26.6 (5.3) | | | | | | 26.7 (5.5) | | | | | | 26.4 (5.4) | | |
|
Disease duration (years), mean (SD)
|
| | | | 17.0 (10.4) | | | | | | 15.6 (10.4) | | | | | | 17.8 (13.9) | | | | | | 16.8 (11.6) | | |
|
Ileocolonic disease, n (%)
|
| | | | 15 (45.5) | | | | | | 19 (55.9) | | | | | | 25 (71.4) | | | | | | 59 (57.8) | | |
|
Intestinal resection, n (%)
|
| | | | 15 (44.1) | | | | | | 17 (50.0) | | | | | | 16 (45.7) | | | | | | 48 (46.6) | | |
|
CDAI, mean (SD)
|
| | | | 144.1 (94.6) | | | | | | 166.0 (74.4) | | | | | | 152.0 (80.6) | | | | | | 154.1 (83.1) | | |
|
S-PRO severity, mean (SD)
|
| | | | 6.5 (3.8) | | | | | | 7.1 (3.5) | | | | | | 6.5 (2.8) | | | | | | 6.7 (3.4) | | |
|
CRP (mg/L), mean (SD)
|
| | | | 3.80 (5.28) | | | | | | 4.20 (4.45) | | | | | | 4.23 (7.21) | | | | | | 4.07 (5.73) | | |
|
FCP (mg/kg), mean (SD)
|
| | | | 344.8 (445.5) | | | | | | 460.0 (696.2) | | | | | | 522.9 (588.5) | | | | | | 442.6 (583.9) | | |
|
SES-CD, mean (SD)
|
| | | | 6.9 (4.0) | | | | | | 7.5 (5.0) | | | | | | 7.9 (4.1) | | | | | | 7.4 (4.4) | | |
|
Prior biologics, n (%)
|
| | | | 30 (88.2) | | | | | | 29 (85.3) | | | | | | 29 (82.9) | | | | | | 88 (85.4) | | |
|
Concomitant biologics, n (%)
|
| | | | 26 (76.5) | | | | | | 25 (73.5) | | | | | | 27 (77.1) | | | | | | 78 (75.7) | | |
|
Concomitant thiopurine, n (%)
|
| | | | 3 (8.8) | | | | | | 3 (8.8) | | | | | | 4 (11.4) | | | | | | 10 (9.7) | | |
|
Concomitant methotrexate, n (%)
|
| | | | 1 (2.9) | | | | | | 3 (8.8) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 4 (3.9) | | |
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Concomitant Biologic, n (%)
|
| |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID (N=34) |
| |
AGMB-129
100 mg QD (N=34) |
| |
Placebo
(N=35) |
| |
All Subjects
(N=103) |
| ||||||||||||
|
ADALIMUMAB
|
| | | | 6 (17.6) | | | | | | 7 (20.6) | | | | | | 7 (20.0) | | | | | | 20 (19.4) | | |
|
INFLIXIMAB
|
| | | | 4 (11.8) | | | | | | 4 (11.8) | | | | | | 3 (8.6) | | | | | | 11 (10.7) | | |
|
RISANKIZUMAB
|
| | | | 6 (17.6) | | | | | | 5 (14.7) | | | | | | 6 (17.1) | | | | | | 17 (16.5) | | |
|
USTEKINUMAB
|
| | | | 10 (29.4) | | | | | | 8 (23.5) | | | | | | 11 (31.4) | | | | | | 29 (28.2) | | |
|
VEDOLIZUMAB
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (2.9) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (1.0) | | |
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Subjects with any, n (%)
|
| |
AGMIB-129
200 mg BID (N=34) |
| |
AGMB-129
100 mg QD (N=34) |
| |
Placebo
(N=35) |
| |||||||||
|
TEAE
|
| | | | 21 (61.8) | | | | | | 22 (64.7) | | | | | | 25 (71.4) | | |
|
Serious TEAE
|
| | | | 4 (11.8) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 4 (11.4) | | |
| Worst-case: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Moderate TEAE
|
| | | | 5 (14.7) | | | | | | 9 (26.5) | | | | | | 5 (14.3) | | |
|
Severe TEAE
|
| | | | 4 (11.8) | | | | | | 1 (2.9) | | | | | | 4 (11.4) | | |
|
Life-threatening TEAE
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (2.9) | | |
|
Fatal TEAE
|
| | | | 1 (2.9) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | |
|
Related TEAE
|
| | | | 8 (23.5) | | | | | | 2 (5.9) | | | | | | 4 (11.4) | | |
|
Temporary treatment interruption due to TEAE
|
| | | | 1 (2.9) | | | | | | 3 (8.8) | | | | | | 3 (8.6) | | |
|
Permanent treatment interruption due to TEAE
|
| | | | 5 (14.7) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 2 (5.7) | | |
|
Study discontinuation due to TEAE
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (2.9) | | |
| | |||||||||||||||||||
| |
200mg BID: 4 patients with SAEs
•
Atrial fibrillation and lacunar infarct in a 75y-old male with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, history of deep venous thrombosis, hypercholesterolemia; new fatal SAE — Failure to thrive — not related
•
Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in a 49y-old male, underweight, non-smoker, no thrombosis history, history of hypoalbuminemia — Both events resolved — possibly related
•
Subileus in a 54y-old female, smoker, with prior GI resection — Recovered with steroid course — not related
•
Intestinal fistula (sinus tract near ileocolonic anastomosis) — Recovered after surgery — not related
|
| |
Placebo: 4 patients with SAEs
•
2 cases of Ileus:
•
35y-old male with prior GI surgery and endoscopic balloon dilations (EBD) — Recovered (after EBD) — not related
•
30y-old male with prior GI resection — Recovered with IV steroid — not related
•
Small intestinal obstruction due to adhesions from prior urological surgery; IMP interruption; life-threatening — Resolved — not related
•
Herpetic radiculopathy — Recovered — not related
|
|
|
Baseline score group
Week 12 change, n (%) |
| |
AGMB-129 200 mg BID
(N=34) |
| |
AGMB-129 100 mg QD
(N=34) |
| |
Placebo
(N=35) |
| | |||||||||||
|
Ileal narrowing score < 3 at baseline
|
| | | | 10 (29.4) | | | | | | 7 (20.6) | | | | | | 4 (11.4) | | | | | |
|
Improved
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (25.0) | | | | | |
|
No change
|
| | | | 4 (40.0) | | | | | | 4 (57.1) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | |
|
Worsened
|
| | | | 5 (50.0) | | | | | | 3 (42.9) | | | | | | 3 (75.0) | | | | | |
|
Missing
|
| | | | 1 (10.0) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | |
|
Ileal narrowing score = 3 at baseline
|
| | | | 22 (64.7) | | | | | | 26 (76.5) | | | | | | 31 (88.6) | | | | | |
|
Improved
|
| | | | 7 (31.8) | | | | | | 2 (7.7) | | | | | | 2 (6.5) | | | | | |
|
No change
|
| | | | 11 (50.0) | | | | | | 23 (88.5) | | | | | | 25 (80.6) | | | | | |
|
Missing
|
| | | | 4 (18.2) | | | | | | 1 (3.8) | | | | | | 4 (12.9) | | | | | |
|
Ileal narrowing score missing at baseline
|
| | | | 2 (5.9) | | | | | | 1 (2.9) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | |
|
Unknown
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (100) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | |
|
Missing
|
| | | | 2 (100) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | ||
| | | |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID (N=16) |
| |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID after 100 mg QD (N=19) |
| |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID after Placebo (N=14) |
| |
All subjects
(N=49) |
| ||||||||||||
| Treatment disposition | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Ongoing
|
| | | | 15 (93.8) | | | | | | 17 (89.5) | | | | | | 12 (85.7) | | | | | | 44 (89.8) | | |
|
Discontinued
|
| | | | 1 (6.3) | | | | | | 2 (10.5) | | | | | | 2 (14.3) | | | | | | 5 (10.2) | | |
|
Adverse event
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (5.3) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (2.0) | | |
|
Lack of efficacy
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 2 (14.3) | | | | | | 2 (4.1) | | |
|
Non-compliance with study drug
|
| | | | 1 (6.3) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (2.0) | | |
|
Withdrawal by subject
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (5.3) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (2.0) | | |
|
Subjects with any, n (%)
|
| |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID (N=16) |
| |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID after 100 mg QD (N=19) |
| |
AGMB-129
200 mg BID after Placebo (N=14) |
| |||||||||
|
TEAE
|
| | | | 4 (25.0) | | | | | | 12 (63.2) | | | | | | 7 (50.0) | | |
|
Serious TEAE
|
| | | | 1 (6.3) | | | | | | 2 (10.5) | | | | | | 1 (7.1) | | |
| Worst-case: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Moderate TEAE
|
| | | | 2 (12.5) | | | | | | 6 (31.6) | | | | | | 2 (14.3) | | |
|
Severe TEAE
|
| | | | 1 (6.3) | | | | | | 2 (10.5) | | | | | | 1 (7.1) | | |
|
Life-threatening TEAE
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | |
|
Fatal TEAE
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | |
|
Related TEAE
|
| | | | 1 (6.3) | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (7.1) | | |
|
Treatment interruption due to TEAE
|
| | | | 1 (6.3) | | | | | | 2 (10.5) | | | | | | 2 (14.3) | | |
|
Treatment withdrawal due to TEAE
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 1 (5.3) | | | | | | 0 | | |
|
Study discontinuation due to TEAE
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 0 | | |
|
Preclinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
|
Preclinical pharmacokinetics
AGMB-447 resulted in high exposure to the lung with fast hydrolysis in plasma |
| |
•
Exposure to AGMB-447 after intratracheal administration in rodents was approximately 800 to 1,000-fold higher in the lung than in plasma
•
The major metabolite of AGMB-447 in plasma, MET-093, has shown no meaningful ALK5 inhibitory activity in cellular experiments
|
|
|
Activity in in vivo bleomycin mouse model
AGMB-447 led to dose-dependent reductions in the bleomycin model across a number of fibrosis and inflammation readouts |
| |
•
Bleomycin model is the most widely used preclinical model for IPF due to its ability to reproduce many aspects of the disease
•
The Ashcroft score, a histological method of quantifying fibrosis, was significantly reduced with 1 mg/kg dose of AGMB-447. AGMB-447 also led to significant reductions in inflammation as measured by immune infiltration into the tissue (assessed by histopathology scores) and the number of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
|
|
|
Activity in ex vivo human lung fibroblasts
AGMB-447 led to dose-dependent decreases in the release of COL1A1 protein |
| |
•
Dose-dependent decreases in the release of COL1A1 protein were observed in fibroblasts from non-IPF and IPF patients
•
Similar results were seen with other pro-fibrotic markers such as plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibronectin 1 (FN1)
|
|
|
Preclinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
|
Activity in ex vivo human precision cut lung slices
AGMB-447 led to dose-dependent decreases in profibrotic genes |
| |
•
Precision-cut lung slices are increasingly recognized and employed as an ex vivo organotypic model
•
Expression of COL1A1 was decreased in a dose-dependent manner in hPCLs from non-IPF and IPF patients
•
Similar effects were observed for other profibrotic genes such as SERPINE-1 (coding for PAI-1), fibronectin (FN1) and integrin beta 6 (ITGB6)
|
|
|
Toxicology studies
No cardiac valve lesions observed with AGMB-447 |
| |
•
No cardiac valve lesions have been observed in GLP toxicology studies, including chronic toxicology studies of AGMB-447 in rodents and toxicology studies in non-rodents
|
|
|
Clinical findings
|
| |
Observations
|
|
|
Safety and tolerability
AGMB-447 showed no systemic safety signal and a generally favorable tolerability profile |
| |
•
No systemic safety signal observed at different dose levels tested
•
Most common tolerability signals were cough, wheezing and throat irritation, in line with other inhaled therapies
•
Bronchospasm was observed in 6 healthy participants treated with AGMB-447
|
|
|
PK profile in healthy participants
AGMB-447 resulted in high exposure to the lung with low systemic exposure |
| |
•
Observed low systemic exposure of AGMB-447 across cohorts
•
Rapid and higher exposure of inactive MET-093 confirms absorption, tissue penetration and efficient hydrolysis
|
|
|
Target Engagement
Dose-dependent inhibition of ALK5 in BAL cells |
| |
•
The 20mg SAD cohort and the 4.5mg BID and 9mg QD
MAD cohorts achieved robust target engagement
|
|
|
Subjects with n (%)
|
| |
AGMB-447
|
| |
Pooled
placebo (N=18) |
| |||||||||||||||
| | | |
MAD B1
1 mg QD (N=9) |
| |
MAD B2
3 mg QD (N=10) |
| |
MAD B3
9 mg QD (N=9) |
| |
MAD B4
4.5 mg BID (N=10) |
| |
MAD B5
4.5 mg BID (N=9) |
| |
MAD B6
9 mg QD (N=10) |
| |||
|
TEAE
|
| |
6 (66.7)
|
| |
10 (100)
|
| |
9 (100)
|
| |
10 (100)
|
| |
9 (100)
|
| |
10 (100)
|
| |
14 (77.8)
|
|
|
Serious TEAE
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
|
|
Worst-case moderate TEAE
|
| |
2 (22.2)
|
| |
4 (40.0)
|
| |
6 (66.7)
|
| |
7 (70.0)
|
| |
1 (11.1)
|
| |
6 (60.0)
|
| |
6 (33.3)
|
|
|
Worst-case severe TEAE
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
|
|
Related TEAE
|
| |
5 (55.6)
|
| |
9 (90.0)
|
| |
9 (100)
|
| |
10 (100)
|
| |
9 (100)
|
| |
10 (100)
|
| |
4 (22.2)
|
|
|
TEAE leading to study drug discontinuation
|
| |
0
|
| |
1 (10.0)*
|
| |
0
|
| |
1 (10.0)
|
| |
0
|
| |
2 (20.0)
|
| |
0
|
|
|
TEAE leading to study discontinuation
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
| |
0
|
|
|
Name
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Position(s)
|
| |||
| Executive Committee: | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Tim Knotnerus
|
| | | | 43 | | | |
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
|
|
|
Philippe Wiesel
|
| | | | 59 | | | | Chief Medical Officer | |
|
Andrea Sáez
|
| | | | 44 | | | | Chief Development Officer | |
|
Pierre Kemula
|
| | | | 52 | | | | Chief Financial Officer | |
|
Paul van der Horst
|
| | | | 38 | | | | Chief Business Officer | |
|
Ellen Lefever
|
| | | | 41 | | | | General Counsel | |
| Non-Executive Directors: | | | | | | | | | | |
|
David Epstein
|
| | | | 64 | | | | Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
|
Angelika Jahreis(2)
|
| | | | 59 | | | | Non-Executive Director | |
|
Colin Bond(1)(2)
|
| | | | 65 | | | | Non-Executive Director | |
|
Felice Verduyn—van Weegen(1)(2)
|
| | | | 39 | | | | Non-Executive Director | |
|
Ohad Hammer(1)
|
| | | | 45 | | | | Non-Executive Director | |
|
Warrant Plan
|
| |
Offer date
|
| |
Exercise
price (€) |
| |
Number of
warrants granted |
| |
Number of
warrants exercised |
| |
Number of
warrants still outstanding |
| |
Expiration
date |
| |||||||||||||||
|
Employee Stock Option Plan,
dated March 2019 |
| |
April 2019
|
| | | € | 21.25 | | | | | | 7,971 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7,971 | | | | | | 03/14/2029 | | |
| | | |
January 2021
|
| | | € | 21.25 | | | | | | 1,752 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,627 | | | | | | 03/14/2029 | | |
|
Employee Stock Option Plan,
dated September 2019 |
| |
October 2019
|
| | | € | 21.25 | | | | | | 5,933 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5,933 | | | | | | 10/09/2029 | | |
| | | |
January 2021
|
| | | € | 21.25 | | | | | | 1,304 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,292 | | | | | | 10/09/2029 | | |
|
Employee Stock Option Plan,
dated March 2020 |
| |
May 2020
|
| | | € | 21.25 | | | | | | 4,546 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 4,546 | | | | | | 04/17/2030 | | |
| | | |
January 2021
|
| | | € | 21.25 | | | | | | 997 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 997 | | | | | | 04/17/2030 | | |
|
Employee Stock Option Plan,
dated October 2020 |
| |
January 2021
|
| | | € | 21.25 | | | | | | 11,082 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 10,620 | | | | | | 10/30/2030 | | |
|
Global Stock Option Plan, dated March 2021
|
| |
June 2021
|
| | | € | 0.01–52.13 | | | | | | 33,519 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 33,242 | | | | | | 03/05/2031 | | |
| | | |
July 2021
|
| | | € | 0.01–52.13 | | | | | | 16,162 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 13,746 | | | | | | 03/05/2031 | | |
| | | |
December 2021
|
| | | € | 52.13 | | | | | | 1,406 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,406 | | | | | | 03/05/2031 | | |
| | | |
March 2022
|
| | | € | 52.13 | | | | | | 11,209 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 8,944 | | | | | | 03/05/2031 | | |
|
2022 Global Stock Option Plan, dated
June 2022 |
| |
July 2022
|
| | | € | 55.66 | | | | | | 1,695 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 423 | | | | | | 06/28/2032 | | |
| | | |
September 2022
|
| | | € | 0.01–52.13 | | | | | | 18,847 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 16,689 | | | | | | 06/28/2032 | | |
| | | |
November 2022
|
| | | € | 0.01 | | | | | | 1,300 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,300 | | | | | | 06/28/2032 | | |
| | | |
February 2023
|
| | | € | 0.01–52.13 | | | | | | 1,982 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,928 | | | | | | 06/28/2032 | | |
| | | |
June 2023
|
| | | € | 0.01–52.13 | | | | | | 1,472 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,136 | | | | | | 06/28/2032 | | |
|
2023 Global Stock Option Plan, dated
October 2023 |
| |
January 2024
|
| | | € | 0.01–58.52 | | | | | | 58,541 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 51,267 | | | | | | 10/10/2033 | | |
|
2024 Global Stock Option Plan, dated July 2024
|
| |
July 2024
|
| | | € | 0.01–52.93 | | | | | | 40,592 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 40,100 | | | | | | 07/08/2034 | | |
| | | |
August 2024
|
| | | € | 52.13 | | | | | | 75 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 07/08/2034 | | |
| | | |
September 2024
|
| | | € | 52.13–52.93 | | | | | | 14,852 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 14,852 | | | | | | 07/08/2034 | | |
|
2024(B) Global Stock Option
Plan, dated November 2024 |
| |
November 2024
|
| | | € | 0.01–64.40 | | | | | | 58,065 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 57,990 | | | | | | 11/04/2034 | | |
| | | |
October 2025
|
| | | € | 0.01 | | | | | | 9,709 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 9,709 | | | | | | 11/04/2034 | | |
| | | |
November 2025
|
| | | € | 99.17 | | | | | | 1,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,000 | | | | | | 11/04/2034 | | |
|
Grand Total
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
304,011
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
286,718
|
| | | | | | | |
|
Name
|
| |
June
2022 |
| |
Aggregate
purchase price paid |
| ||||||
|
Biodiscovery 5 FPCI(1)
|
| | | | 11,990 | | | | | € | 2,499,969.34 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Cormorant Asset Management(2)
|
| | | | 8,345 | | | | | € | 1,739,970.32 | | |
|
Pfizer Inc.(3)
|
| | | | 95,921 | | | | | € | 19,999,963.20 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Pontifax(4)
|
| | | | 10,935 | | | | | € | 2,279,997.06 | | |
|
Redmile Biopharma Investments III, L.P.(5)
|
| | | | 9,832 | | | | | € | 2,050,016.56 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Omnes Capital(6)
|
| | | | 5,084 | | | | | € | 1,060,037.04 | | |
|
Name
|
| |
October
2023 |
| |
Aggregate
purchase price paid |
| ||||||
|
Biodiscovery 5 FPCI(1)
|
| | | | 7,194 | | | | | € | 1,499,981.61 | | |
|
Canaan XII L.P.(2)
|
| | | | 73,000 | | | | | € | 15,220,830.83 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Cormorant Asset Management(3)
|
| | | | 11,510 | | | | | € | 2,399,887.18 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Fidelity Management & Research Company(4)
|
| | | | 123,500 | | | | | € | 25,750,309.69 | | |
|
LSP 7 Coöperatief U.A.(5)
|
| | | | 143,881 | | | | | € | 29,999,840.56 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Pontifax(6)
|
| | | | 15,347 | | | | | € | 3,199,919.06 | | |
|
Redmile Biopharma Investments III, L.P.(7)
|
| | | | 13,428 | | | | | € | 2,799,798.86 | | |
|
AFB Seed Fund I(8)
|
| | | | 7,194 | | | | | € | 1,499,981.61 | | |
|
Name
|
| |
November
2024 |
| |
Aggregate
purchase price paid |
| ||||||
|
Canaan XII L.P.(1)
|
| | | | 19,008 | | | | | € | 4,557,742.26 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Cormorant Asset Management(2)
|
| | | | 12,511 | | | | | € | 2,999,890.23 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Fidelity Management & Research Company(3)
|
| | | | 34,273 | | | | | € | 8,217,987.20 | | |
|
LSP 7 Coöperatief U.A.(4)
|
| | | | 41,704 | | | | | € | 9,999,793.95 | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Pontifax(5)
|
| | | | 8,340 | | | | | € | 1,999,766.97 | | |
|
Sanofi Foreign Participations B.V.(6)
|
| | | | 125,114 | | | | | € | 29,999,861.41 | | |
|
Biodiscovery 5 FPCI(7)
|
| | | | 4,170 | | | | | € | 999,883.48 | | |
| | | |
Before offering
|
| |
After offering
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Name of beneficial owner
|
| |
Number of
common shares beneficially owned |
| |
Percentage of
common shares beneficially owned |
| |
Number of
common shares beneficially owned |
| |
Percentage
of common shares beneficially owned |
| ||||||
| 5% or Greater Shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
LSP 7 Coöperatief U.A.(1)
|
| | | | 185,585 | | | | | | 11.09% | | | | | | | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Fidelity Management & Research
Company(2) |
| | | | 157,773 | | | | | | 9.43% | | | | | | | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Pontifax(3)
|
| | | | 141,180 | | | | | | 8.44% | | | | | | | | |
|
Sanofi Foreign Participations B.V.(4)
|
| | | | 125,114 | | | | | | 7.48% | | | | | | | | |
|
Redmile Biopharma Investments III, L.P.(5)
|
| | | | 119,181 | | | | | | 7.12% | | | | | | | | |
|
Entities affiliated with Cormorant Asset Management(6)
|
| | | | 113,899 | | | | | | 6.81% | | | | | | | | |
|
Pfizer Inc.(7)
|
| | | | 95,921 | | | | | | 5.73% | | | | | | | | |
|
Canaan XII L.P.(8)
|
| | | | 92,008 | | | | | | 5.50% | | | | | | | | |
| Members of Executive Committee and Directors: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Tim Knotnerus(9)
|
| | | | 30,800 | | | | | | 1.81% | | | | | | | | |
|
David Epstein
|
| | | | * | | | | | | * | | | | | | | | |
|
Angelika Jahreis
|
| | | | * | | | | | | * | | | | | | | | |
|
Colin Bond
|
| | | | * | | | | | | * | | | | | | | | |
|
Felice Verduyn—van Weegen(10)
|
| | | | 185,585 | | | | | | 11.09% | | | | | | | | |
|
Ming Fang(11)
|
| | | | 119,181 | | | | | | 7.12% | | | | | | | | |
|
Ohad Hammer(12)
|
| | | | 141,180 | | | | | | 8.44% | | | | | | | | |
|
Members of our executive committee (excluding our chief executive officer)(13)
|
| | | | 30,230 | | | | | | 1.80% | | | | | | | | |
|
All members of our executive committee and directors as a group (12 persons)(14)
|
| | | | 506,976 | | | | | | 29.27% | | | | | | | | |
|
Holders or persons depositing or withdrawing shares,
surrendering ADSs, or to whom or from whom ADSs are delivered or cancelled, must pay: |
| |
For:
|
|
| $10.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) | | |
Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property or in relation to a change in the number of shares represented by ADSs
Surrender of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or cancellation of ADSs, including if the deposit agreement terminates or in relation to a change in the number of shares represented by ADSs
|
|
| $.10 (or less) per ADS | | | Any cash distribution to ADS holders | |
| A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs | | | Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders | |
| Fees assessed from time to time, but not exceeding $.10 per ADS during any calendar year | | | Depositary services | |
| Registration or transfer fees | | | Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares | |
| Expenses of the depositary | | |
Cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)
Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars
|
|
| Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes | | | As necessary | |
| Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities | | | As necessary | |
|
Name
|
| |
Number of
ADSs |
|
|
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
|
| | | |
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
|
| | | |
|
Leerink Partners LLC
|
| | | |
|
Van Lanschot Kempen (USA) Inc.
|
| | | |
|
Total
|
| | | |
| | | |
Without
option to purchase additional ADSs exercise |
| |
With full
option to purchase additional ADSs exercise |
| ||||||
|
Per Share
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | | ||
|
Total
|
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | | ||
|
Expense
|
| |
Amount
|
|
|
SEC registration fee
|
| |
$13,810.00
|
|
|
Nasdaq initial listing fee
|
| |
*
|
|
|
FINRA filing fee
|
| |
15,500.00
|
|
|
Printing and engraving expenses
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Legal fees and expenses
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Miscellaneous costs
|
| |
*
|
|
|
Total
|
| |
$ *
|
|
| | | | | | F-2 | | | |
| | | | | | F-3 | | | |
| | | | | | F-5 | | | |
| | | | | | F-6 | | | |
| | | | | | F-7 | | | |
| | | | | | F-8 | | |
| | | | | | F-45 | | | |
| | | | | | F-46 | | | |
| | | | | | F-47 | | | |
| | | | | | F-48 | | | |
| | | | | | F-49 | | | |
| | | | | | F-50 | | |
| | | | | | |
For the year ended December 31
|
| |||||||||
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
Notes
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Research and development expenses
|
| |
7.1
|
| | | | (39,310) | | | | | | (26,311) | | |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
| |
7.1
|
| | | | (10,133) | | | | | | (6,097) | | |
|
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | | | | (49,443) | | | | | | (32,408) | | |
|
Other operating income
|
| |
7.4
|
| | | | 1,422 | | | | | | 1,218 | | |
|
Operating loss
|
| | | | | | | (48,021) | | | | | | (31,190) | | |
|
Changes in fair value of financial liabilities
|
| |
23.1
|
| | | | 848 | | | | | | 18,964 | | |
|
Financial expenses
|
| |
7.3
|
| | | | (357) | | | | | | (86) | | |
|
Financial income
|
| |
7.3
|
| | | | 1,267 | | | | | | 303 | | |
|
Loss before taxes
|
| | | | | | | (46,263) | | | | | | (12,009) | | |
|
Income tax (expense)/income
|
| |
8
|
| | | | (4) | | | | | | 619 | | |
|
Loss for the year
|
| | | | | | | (46,267) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
| |
9
|
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
|
Basic and diluted loss per share (in thousands of €)
|
| |
9
|
| | | | (2.31) | | | | | | (0.77) | | |
| | | | | | |
For the year ended December 31
|
| |||||||||
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
Notes
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Loss for the year*
|
| | | | | | | (46,267) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
| Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss | | | | | ||||||||||||
|
Foreign currency translation differences
|
| | | | | | | (10) | | | | | | — | | |
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss | | | | | ||||||||||||
|
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligations
|
| |
21
|
| | | | (73) | | | | | | — | | |
|
Other comprehensive loss for the period, net of tax
|
| | | | | | | (83) | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the year*
|
| | | | | | | (46,350) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
For the year ended per
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Notes
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| |||||||||
| Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Intangible assets
|
| | | | 11 | | | | | | 20,110 | | | | | | 20,110 | | |
|
Goodwill
|
| | | | 10 | | | | | | 8,612 | | | | | | 8,612 | | |
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | 13 | | | | | | 619 | | | | | | — | | |
|
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | | 12 | | | | | | 1,373 | | | | | | 1,606 | | |
|
Other financial assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | 14 | | |
|
Other non-current assets
|
| | | | 14 | | | | | | 1,787 | | | | | | 1,444 | | |
|
Total non-current assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 32,513 | | | | | | 31,785 | | |
| Current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Other current assets
|
| | | | 15 | | | | | | 2,386 | | | | | | 17,071 | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 16 | | | | | | 171,459 | | | | | | 122,402 | | |
|
Total current assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 173,845 | | | | | | 139,474 | | |
|
Total assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 206,358 | | | | | | 171,259 | | |
| Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Share capital
|
| | | | 17 | | | | | | 223,072 | | | | | | 174,711 | | |
|
Share premium reserve
|
| | | | 17 | | | | | | 76,634 | | | | | | 42,939 | | |
|
Accumulated loss
|
| | | | 17 | | | | | | (119,181) | | | | | | (72,831) | | |
|
Share-based payment reserves
|
| | | | 19 | | | | | | 8,522 | | | | | | 7,452 | | |
|
Other reserves
|
| | | | 17 | | | | | | (966) | | | | | | (837) | | |
|
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent
|
| | | | | | | | | | 188,081 | | | | | | 151,435 | | |
|
Total equity
|
| | | | | | | | | | 188,081 | | | | | | 151,435 | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Non-current lease liabilities
|
| | | | 12 | | | | | | 1,272 | | | | | | 1,439 | | |
|
Contingent consideration
|
| | | | 22 | | | | | | 7,879 | | | | | | 7,500 | | |
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 9,151 | | | | | | 8,939 | | |
| Current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Current lease liabilities
|
| | | | 12 | | | | | | 273 | | | | | | 181 | | |
|
Anti-dilutive warrants
|
| | | | 18 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,226 | | |
|
Trade and other payables
|
| | | | 20 | | | | | | 8,052 | | | | | | 8,282 | | |
|
Deferred income and accrued charges
|
| | | | 20 | | | | | | 801 | | | | | | 1,196 | | |
|
Total current liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 9,126 | | | | | | 10,885 | | |
|
Total liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 18,277 | | | | | | 19,824 | | |
|
Total equity and liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 206,358 | | | | | | 171,259 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Share
capital |
| |
Share
premium reserve |
| |
Accumulated
loss |
| |
Translation
reserve |
| |
Actuarial
losses |
| |
Share-based
payment reserve |
| |
Other
reserves |
| |
Equity
attributable to owners of the Company |
| |
Total
equity |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance at January 1,
2023 |
| | | | 110,412 | | | | | | 12,368 | | | | | | (61,440) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5,293 | | | | | | (385) | | | | | | 66,248 | | | | | | 66,248 | | |
|
Loss for the year
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (11,390) | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (11,390) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
|
Other comprehensive income
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (11,390) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (11,390) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
|
Increase of capital
|
| | | | 64,300 | | | | | | 30,571 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 94,871 | | | | | | 94,871 | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 2,159 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 2,159 | | | | | | 2,159 | | |
|
Transaction costs to be deducted from equity (IAS 32)
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (453) | | | | | | (453) | | | | | | (453) | | |
|
Balance at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | 174,712 | | | | | | 42,939 | | | | | | (72,831) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7,452 | | | | | | (837) | | | | | | 151,435 | | | | | | 151,435 | | |
|
Loss for the year
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (46,267) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (46,267) | | | | | | (46,267) | | |
|
Other comprehensive income
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (10) | | | | | | (73) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (83) | | | | | | (83) | | |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (46,267) | | | | | | (10) | | | | | | (73) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (46,350) | | | | | | (46,350) | | |
|
Increase of capital
|
| | | | 48,360 | | | | | | 33,695 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 82,055 | | | | | | 82,055 | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | | | | | | | 1,070 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,070 | | | | | | 1,070 | | |
|
Transaction costs to be deducted from equity (IAS 32)
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (129) | | | | | | (129) | | | | | | (129) | | |
|
Balance at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 223,072 | | | | | | 76,634 | | | | | | (119,098) | | | | | | (10) | | | | | | (73) | | | | | | 8,522 | | | | | | (966) | | | | | | 188,081 | | | | | | 188,081 | | |
| | | |
For the year ended per December 31
|
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Net income/(loss) for the year
|
| | | | (46,267) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
| Adjustments for non-cash items: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Current Income tax expense (income)
|
| | | | 4 | | | | | | 3 | | |
|
Deferred income tax expense (income)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (622) | | |
|
Fair value (gain) loss on financial liabilities
|
| | | | (848) | | | | | | (18,964) | | |
|
Depreciation & amortization
|
| | | | 311 | | | | | | 99 | | |
|
Share-based payment expenses
|
| | | | 1,071 | | | | | | 2,159 | | |
|
Net foreign exchange losses (gains)
|
| | | | 231 | | | | | | — | | |
|
Interest expense
|
| | | | 77 | | | | | | 86 | | |
|
Interest income
|
| | | | (1,218) | | | | | | (303) | | |
|
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
|
| | | | (46,640) | | | | | | (28,932) | | |
| movements in working capital: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Decrease/(increase) in other current assets
|
| | | | (315) | | | | | | 1,343 | | |
|
Decrease/(increase) in other non-current assets
|
| | | | (342) | | | | | | (331) | | |
|
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
|
| | | | (230) | | | | | | 3,686 | | |
|
Increase/(decrease) in deferred income
|
| | | | (395) | | | | | | (580) | | |
|
Income taxes paid
|
| | | | (4) | | | | | | (3) | | |
|
Interest paid
|
| | | | (10) | | | | | | (20) | | |
|
Interest received
|
| | | | 1,106 | | | | | | 245 | | |
|
Net cash flow from /(used in) operating activities
|
| | | | (46,828) | | | | | | (24,592) | | |
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | (675) | | | | | | — | | |
|
Purchase of investments – term account
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 40,000 | | |
|
Net cash flow from /(used in) investing activities
|
| | | | (675) | | | | | | 40,000 | | |
|
Repayment of lease liabilities
|
| | | | (163) | | | | | | (100) | | |
|
Proceeds from capital increase
|
| | | | 97,055 | | | | | | 79,871 | | |
|
Share issue costs
|
| | | | (129) | | | | | | (453) | | |
|
Other financial expense, net
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 6 | | |
|
Net cash flow from /(used in) financing activities
|
| | | | 96,762 | | | | | | 79,324 | | |
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 49,260 | | | | | | 94,732 | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
| | | | 122,402 | | | | | | 27,670 | | |
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
|
| | | | (204) | | | | | | — | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
|
| | | | 171,459 | | | | | | 122,402 | | |
|
Asset class
|
| |
Useful life in years
|
| |||
|
Leasehold improvements
|
| | | | 9 | | |
|
IT equipment
|
| | | | 3 | | |
|
Furniture and fixtures and other equipment
|
| | | | 5 | | |
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Agomab Belgium
|
| | | | 5,364 | | | | | | 4,550 | | |
|
Agomab Spain
|
| | | | 27,204 | | | | | | 27,235 | | |
|
Total non-current assets
|
| | | | 32,568 | | | | | | 31,785 | | |
|
Company name
|
| |
Registration number
|
| |
Location
|
| |
Financial interest (%)
|
|
| AgomAb Therapeutics NV | | | 674527310 | | | Antwerp, Belgium | | | Parent | |
| AgomAb Spain S.L.U. | | | B32478414 | | |
Fonte Díaz-A Coruña, Spain
|
| | 100% | |
| Agomab US Inc. | | | 99-332612 | | | Delaware, USA | | | 100% | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Clinical trial expenses
|
| | | | 30,057 | | | | | | 19,131 | | |
|
Employee benefits
|
| | | | 5,557 | | | | | | 3,290 | | |
|
R&D consulting
|
| | | | 2,121 | | | | | | 1,786 | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | | | 143 | | | | | | 1,009 | | |
|
Chemicals and small materials
|
| | | | 1,001 | | | | | | 191 | | |
|
Patent related charges
|
| | | | 431 | | | | | | 891 | | |
|
Regulatory
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 14 | | |
|
Total research and development expenses
|
| | | | 39,310 | | | | | | 26,311 | | |
|
Employee benefits
|
| | | | 3,868 | | | | | | 2,243 | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | | | 928 | | | | | | 1,150 | | |
|
Professional service fees
|
| | | | 3,183 | | | | | | 1,185 | | |
|
Office materials and services
|
| | | | 627 | | | | | | 549 | | |
|
Travel and meeting expenses
|
| | | | 561 | | | | | | 483 | | |
|
Facility rent and expenses
|
| | | | 137 | | | | | | 178 | | |
|
Board fees
|
| | | | 63 | | | | | | 67 | | |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
| | | | 311 | | | | | | 99 | | |
|
Recruitment
|
| | | | 245 | | | | | | 20 | | |
|
Other G&A expenses
|
| | | | 210 | | | | | | 122 | | |
|
Total general and administrative expenses
|
| | | | 10,133 | | | | | | 6,097 | | |
|
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | 49,443 | | | | | | 32,408 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Employee salaries and wages – R&D
|
| | | | 3,800 | | | | | | 2,337 | | |
|
Employee salaries and wages – G&A
|
| | | | 2,739 | | | | | | 1,684 | | |
|
Social security contributions
|
| | | | 1,521 | | | | | | 782 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Employee provisions
|
| | | | 763 | | | | | | 560 | | |
|
Other employee benefits
|
| | | | 602 | | | | | | 170 | | |
|
Total employee benefit expenses(1)
|
| | | | 9,425 | | | | | | 5,533 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Interest expenses
|
| | | | (67) | | | | | | (31) | | |
|
Exchange rate losses
|
| | | | (280) | | | | | | (51) | | |
|
Bank charges
|
| | | | (10) | | | | | | (4) | | |
|
Total financial expenses
|
| | | | (357) | | | | | | (86) | | |
|
Interest income
|
| | | | 1,218 | | | | | | 245 | | |
|
Exchange rate gains
|
| | | | 49 | | | | | | 58 | | |
|
Other financial income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total financial income
|
| | | | 1,267 | | | | | | 303 | | |
|
Net financial (expenses) income
|
| | | | 910 | | | | | | 217 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Grants received
|
| | | | 380 | | | | | | 595 | | |
|
R&D tax credit
|
| | | | 398 | | | | | | 331 | | |
|
R&D personnel credit
|
| | | | 607 | | | | | | 291 | | |
|
Other income
|
| | | | 37 | | | | | | — | | |
|
Other operating income
|
| | | | 1,422 | | | | | | 1,218 | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Current income tax expense
|
| | | | (4) | | | | | | (3) | | |
|
Deferred tax income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 622 | | |
|
Income tax (expense) income
|
| | | | (4) | | | | | | 619 | | |
| | | |
December 31, 2024
|
| |
December 31, 2023
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
Assets
|
| |
Liabilities
|
| |
Net
|
| |
Assets
|
| |
Liabilities
|
| |
Net
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
Intangible assets
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (4,637) | | | | | | (4,637) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4,637) | | | | | | (4,637) | | |
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | 1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1 | | |
|
Right of use asset
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (343) | | | | | | (343) | | | | | | | | | | | | (402) | | | | | | (402) | | |
|
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | 386 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 386 | | | | | | 405 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 405 | | |
|
Other current assets & other liabilities
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (35) | | | | | | (35) | | |
|
Deferred tax assets and liabilities related to temporary differences
|
| | | | 389 | | | | | | (4,981) | | | | | | (4,592) | | | | | | 406 | | | | | | (5,073) | | | | | | (4,667) | | |
|
Deferred tax assets related to unused tax losses
|
| | | | 4,592 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 4,592 | | | | | | 4,667 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 4,667 | | |
|
Set off of tax
|
| | | | (4,981) | | | | | | 4,981 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (5,073) | | | | | | 5,073 | | | | | | — | | |
|
Net deferred tax assets/liabilities
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
December 31,
2023 |
| |
Recognized in
profit or loss |
| |
December 31,
2024 |
| |||||||||
|
Intangible assets
|
| | | | (4,637) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4,637) | | |
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | 1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1 | | |
|
RoU assets
|
| | | | (402) | | | | | | 58 | | | | | | (343) | | |
|
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | 405 | | | | | | (19) | | | | | | 386 | | |
|
Other current assets & other liabilities
|
| | | | (35) | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | 2 | | |
|
Deferred tax assets and liabilities related to temporary differences
|
| | | | (4,667) | | | | | | 75 | | | | | | (4,592) | | |
|
Tax loss carry-forwards
|
| | | | 4,667 | | | | | | (75) | | | | | | 4,592 | | |
|
Deferred tax assets/liabilities
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
IFRS profit/(loss) before income taxes
|
| | | | (46,264) | | | | | | (12,009) | | |
|
Theoretical income tax (expense)/income
|
| | | | 11,568 | | | | | | 3,002 | | |
|
Theoretical tax rate(1)
|
| | | | 25% | | | | | | 25% | | |
|
Non-deductible expenses
|
| | | | (569) | | | | | | (1,409) | | |
|
Non-taxable income
|
| | | | 339 | | | | | | 5,636 | | |
|
Tax losses of the year for which no deferred tax asset has been recognized
|
| | | | (11,341) | | | | | | (6,610) | | |
|
Income tax (expense)/income
|
| | | | (4) | | | | | | 619 | | |
|
Effective tax rate
|
| | | | (0)% | | | | | | (5)% | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
| Basic loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Loss for the year
|
| | | | (46,267) | | | | | | (11,390) | | |
|
Loss attributable to the holder of the profit share certificate(1)
|
| | | | 2,239 | | | | | | 752 | | |
|
Cumulative dividend on preferred shares (Series A, B, C and D)(2)
|
| | | | (13,823) | | | | | | (8,644) | | |
|
Loss attributable to common shareholders
|
| | | | (57,851) | | | | | | (19,282) | | |
| Diluted loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Dilution effect of ESOP warrants, preferred shares, anti-dilutive warrants
and profit share certificate |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Loss attributable to common shareholders, after dilution effect
|
| | | | (57,851) | | | | | | (19,282) | | |
|
Number of shares
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period for basic and diluted EPS
|
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
|
Total weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period
|
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Basic loss per share
|
| | | | (2.31) | | | | | | (0.77) | | |
|
Diluted loss per share
|
| | | | (2.31) | | | | | | (0.77) | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Goodwill
|
| |
Total
|
| ||||||
|
As at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | 8,612 | | | | | | 8,612 | | |
|
Impairment loss
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | |
|
Carrying amount as at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 8,612 | | | | | | 8,612 | | |
|
As at January 1, 2023
|
| | | | 8,612 | | | | | | 8,612 | | |
|
Impairment loss
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | |
|
Carrying amount as at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | 8,612 | | | | | | 8,612 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
In-process R&D
|
| |
Research and
commercialization license |
| |
Total
|
| |||||||||
| Acquisition cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | 18,550 | | | | | | 1,560 | | | | | | 20,110 | | |
|
Additions
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 18,550 | | | | | | 1,560 | | | | | | 20,110 | | |
| Accumulated Amortization and impairment losses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Amortization
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Impairment losses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Carrying amount as at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 18,550 | | | | | | 1,560 | | | | | | 20,110 | | |
| Acquisition cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2023
|
| | | | 18,550 | | | | | | 1,560 | | | | | | 20,110 | | |
|
Additions
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | 18,550 | | | | | | 1,560 | | | | | | 20,110 | | |
| Accumulated Amortization and impairment losses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2023
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Amortization
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Impairment losses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Carrying amount as at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | 18,550 | | | | | | 1,560 | | | | | | 20,110 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Office leases
|
| |
Car leases
|
| |
Total
|
| |||||||||
| Acquisition cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | 1,407 | | | | | | 321 | | | | | | 1,728 | | |
|
Additions
|
| | | | 11 | | | | | | 120 | | | | | | 131 | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | (21) | | | | | | (17) | | | | | | (38) | | |
|
Lease remeasurement
|
| | | | (78) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (78) | | |
|
As at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 1,319 | | | | | | 424 | | | | | | 1,743 | | |
| Accumulated depreciation and impairment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | (71) | | | | | | (51) | | | | | | (122) | | |
|
Depreciation
|
| | | | (168) | | | | | | (87) | | | | | | (255) | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | 33 | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | 7 | | |
|
As at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | (236) | | | | | | (134) | | | | | | (370) | | |
|
Carrying amount as at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 1,083 | | | | | | 290 | | | | | | 1,373 | | |
| Acquisition cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2023
|
| | | | 58 | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | 85 | | |
|
Additions
|
| | | | 1,349 | | | | | | 295 | | | | | | 1,643 | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | 1,407 | | | | | | 321 | | | | | | 1,728 | | |
| Accumulated depreciation and impairment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2023
|
| | | | (18) | | | | | | (5) | | | | | | (23) | | |
|
Depreciation
|
| | | | (53) | | | | | | (46) | | | | | | (99) | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | (71) | | | | | | (51) | | | | | | (122) | | |
|
Carrying amount as at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | 1,336 | | | | | | 270 | | | | | | 1,606 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Office leases
|
| |
Car leases
|
| |
Total
|
| |||||||||
|
As at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | 1,350 | | | | | | 270 | | | | | | 1,619 | | |
|
Additions
|
| | | | 11 | | | | | | 120 | | | | | | 131 | | |
|
Lease payments
|
| | | | (62) | | | | | | (101) | | | | | | (163) | | |
|
Derecognition of lease liability due to termination
|
| | | | (18) | | | | | | (13) | | | | | | (31) | | |
|
Interest expenses
|
| | | | 57 | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | 66 | | |
|
Lease remeasurement
|
| | | | (78) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (78) | | |
|
As at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 1,259 | | | | | | 286 | | | | | | 1,545 | | |
|
As at January 1, 2023
|
| | | | 41 | | | | | | 21 | | | | | | 62 | | |
|
Additions
|
| | | | 1,349 | | | | | | 295 | | | | | | 1,643 | | |
|
Lease payments
|
| | | | (48) | | | | | | (52) | | | | | | (100) | | |
|
Interest expenses
|
| | | | 8 | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | 14 | | |
|
As at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | 1,350 | | | | | | 270 | | | | | | 1,619 | | |
| | | |
For the year ended December 31
|
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Current
|
| | | | 273 | | | | | | 181 | | |
|
Non-current
|
| | | | 1,272 | | | | | | 1,439 | | |
|
Total Lease liabilities
|
| | | | 1,545 | | | | | | 1,620 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Expenses short term office leases
|
| | | | 62 | | | | | | 127 | | |
|
Expenses short term car leases
|
| | | | 45 | | | | | | 19 | | |
|
Total short term lease expenses
|
| | | | 108 | | | | | | 146 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Leasehold
improvements |
| |
IT
equipment |
| |
Furniture
and fixtures |
| |
Other
equipment |
| |
Total
|
| |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Additions
|
| | | | 359 | | | | | | 127 | | | | | | 179 | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | 675 | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As of December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 359 | | | | | | 127 | | | | | | 179 | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | 675 | | |
|
Accumulated amortization and impairment losses
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
As at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Amortization
|
| | | | (13) | | | | | | (26) | | | | | | (16) | | | | | | (1) | | | | | | (56) | | |
|
Impairment losses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As of December 31, 2024
|
| | | | (13) | | | | | | (26) | | | | | | (16) | | | | | | (1) | | | | | | (56) | | |
|
Carrying amount as of December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 345 | | | | | | 101 | | | | | | 163 | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | 619 | | |
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
R&D tax credit receivables
|
| | | | 1,787 | | | | | | 1,444 | | |
|
Total non-current assets
|
| | | | 1,787 | | | | | | 1,444 | | |
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Grant receivables
|
| | | | 446 | | | | | | 1,040 | | |
|
Supplier credit notes received
|
| | | | 55 | | | | | | 154 | | |
|
VAT receivables
|
| | | | 381 | | | | | | 147 | | |
|
Other receivables
|
| | | | 1,126 | | | | | | 15,610 | | |
|
Total trade and other receivables
|
| | | | 2,008 | | | | | | 16,951 | | |
| | |||||||||||||
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Deferred charges
|
| | | | 267 | | | | | | 120 | | |
|
Accrued Income
|
| | | | 111 | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total deferred charges and accrued income
|
| | | | 378 | | | | | | 120 | | |
|
Total other current assets
|
| | | | 2,386 | | | | | | 17,071 | | |
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Cash at bank and in hand
|
| | | | 26,459 | | | | | | 122,402 | | |
|
Term deposit
|
| | | | 145,000 | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 171,459 | | | | | | 122,402 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total
common shares |
| |
Total
preferred A shares |
| |
Total
preferred B shares |
| |
Total
preferred C shares |
| |
Total
preferred D shares |
| |
Total share
capital and share premium |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(In thousands of €,
except as indicated otherwise) |
| |
Number of
common shares |
| |
Number of
preferred A shares |
| |
Number of
preferred B shares |
| |
Number of
preferred C shares |
| |
Number of
preferred D shares |
| |
Share
capital |
| |
Share
premium |
| |
Share
capital |
| |
Share
premium |
| |
Share
capital |
| |
Share
premium |
| |
Share
capital |
| |
Share
premium |
| |
Share
capital |
| |
Share
premium |
| |
Share
capital |
| |
Share
premium |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Outstanding at December 31,
2023 |
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 277,272 | | | | | | 479,040 | | | | | | 455,004 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 25 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 22,873 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 87,514 | | | | | | 12,368 | | | | | | 64,300 | | | | | | 30,571 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 174,712 | | | | | | 42,939 | | |
|
November 4, 2024 – Series D
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 342,206 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 48,360 | | | | | | 33,695 | | | | | | 48,360 | | | | | | 33,695 | | |
|
Outstanding at December 31,
2024 |
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 277,272 | | | | | | 479,040 | | | | | | 455,004 | | | | | | 342,206 | | | | | | 25 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 22,873 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 87,514 | | | | | | 12,368 | | | | | | 64,300 | | | | | | 30,571 | | | | | | 48,360 | | | | | | 33,695 | | | | | | 223,072 | | | | | | 76,634 | | |
| | | |
Weighted average
issue price per common share in € per share(1) |
| |
Weighted average
issue price per pref. A share in € per share(1) |
| |
Weighted average
issue price per pref. B and C shares in € per share(1) |
| |
Weighted average
issue price per pref. D share in € per share(1) |
| ||||||||||||
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | 1.00 | | | | | | 82.49 | | | | | | 208.50 | | | | | | — | | |
|
November 4, 2024—Series D
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 239.78 | | |
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | 1.00 | | | | | | 82.49 | | | | | | 208.50 | | | | | | 239.78 | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
Fair Value |
| |
31/12/2024
|
| |
Issue date
2024 ADW warrants 4/11/2024(1) |
| |
31/12/2023
|
| |||||||||
|
Series A
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 16 | | |
|
Series B
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 610 | | |
|
Series C
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 600 | | |
|
Series D
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total Anti-dilutive warrants
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,225 | | |
|
Exit probabilities without
intermediate funding round |
| |
31/12/2024
|
| |
31/12/2023
|
| ||||||
|
Series A, Series B, Series C and Series D
|
| | | | 100% | | | | | | 90% | | |
|
Volatility
|
| |
31/12/2024
|
| |
31/12/2023
|
| |
01/01/2022
|
| |||||||||
|
Series A, Series B and Series C
|
| | | | 57.89% | | | | | | 73.70% | | | | | | 90.38% | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
Sensitivity analysis |
| | | | |
31/12/2024
|
| |
12/31/2023
|
| ||||||
|
Series A
|
| |
Base value
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 16 | | |
| | volatility +10% | | | | | — | | | | | | 35 | | | ||
| | volatility -10% | | | | | — | | | | | | 5 | | | ||
| |
Exit probabilities +5%
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 8 | | | ||
| |
Exit probabilities -5%
|
| | | | 30 | | | | | | 24 | | | ||
|
Series B
|
| |
Base value
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 610 | | |
| | volatility +10% | | | | | — | | | | | | 720 | | | ||
| | volatility -10% | | | | | — | | | | | | 500 | | | ||
| |
Exit probabilities +5%
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 305 | | | ||
| |
Exit probabilities -5%
|
| | | | 456 | | | | | | 916 | | | ||
|
Series C
|
| |
Base value
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 600 | | |
| | volatility +10% | | | | | — | | | | | | 708 | | | ||
| | volatility -10% | | | | | — | | | | | | 491 | | | ||
| |
Exit probabilities +5%
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 300 | | | ||
| |
Exit probabilities -5%
|
| | | | 446 | | | | | | 900 | | | ||
|
Series D
|
| |
Base value
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 600 | | |
| | volatility +10% | | | | | — | | | | | | 708 | | | ||
| | volatility -10% | | | | | — | | | | | | 491 | | | ||
| |
Exit probabilities +5%
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 300 | | | ||
| |
Exit probabilities -5%
|
| | | | 521 | | | | | | 900 | | | ||
| | | |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | | |
Number of
ESOP warrants |
| |
Weighted
average exercise price (EUR) |
| |
Number of
ESOP warrants |
| |
Weighted
average exercise price (EUR) |
| ||||||||||||
|
Outstanding at January 1st
|
| | | | 119,851 | | | | | | 14.52 | | | | | | 116,423 | | | | | | 14.83 | | |
|
Granted
|
| | | | 114,975 | | | | | | 30.97 | | | | | | 4,754 | | | | | | 17.70 | | |
|
Forfeited
|
| | | | 14,385 | | | | | | 2.11 | | | | | | 1,326 | | | | | | 53.39 | | |
|
Outstanding at December 31st
|
| | | | 220,441 | | | | | | 23.91 | | | | | | 119,851 | | | | | | 14.52 | | |
|
Exercisable at December 31st
|
| | | | 18,450 | | | | | | 21.25 | | | | | | 13,904 | | | | | | 21.25 | | |
|
ESOP warrants granted in
|
| |
November 2024
|
| |
October 2024
|
| |
September 2024
|
| |||||||||
|
Number of ESOP warrants granted
|
| | | | 14,267 | | | | | | 2,378 | | | | | | 39,789 | | |
|
Fair value (€)
|
| | | | 6.44 | | | | | | 6.57 | | | | | | 6.49–9.19 | | |
|
Share price (€)
|
| | | | 9.20 | | | | | | 9.20 | | | | | | 9.20 | | |
|
Exercise price (€)
|
| | | | 59.95 | | | | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 0.01–52.93 | | |
|
Expected volatility (%)
|
| | | | 92.07 | | | | | | 93.22 | | | | | | 91.80–91.86 | | |
|
Expected life time of a warrant (years)
|
| | | | 10.00 | | | | | | 9.72 | | | | | | 9.83–9.85 | | |
|
Risk-free rate (%)
|
| | | | 2.24 | | | | | | 0.02 | | | | | | 0.02 | | |
|
Expected dividends (%)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
ESOP warrants granted in
|
| |
March 2024
|
| |
February 2024
|
| |
July 2023
|
| |
March 2023
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Number of ESOP warrants granted
|
| | | | 43,361 | | | | | | 8,480 | | | | | | 1,472 | | | | | | 1,632 | | |
|
Fair value (€)
|
| | | | 21.54–27.79 | | | | | | 22.03 | | | | | | 71.67–79.79 | | | | | | 72.20–79.79 | | |
|
Share price (€)
|
| | | | 27.80 | | | | | | 27.8 | | | | | | 79.8 | | | | | | 79.8 | | |
|
Exercise price (€)
|
| | | | 0.01–58.52 | | | | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 0.01–52.13 | | | | | | 0.01–52.13 | | |
|
Expected volatility (%)
|
| | | | 87.29–87.51 | | | | | | 87.77 | | | | | | 92.04 | | | | | | 94.88 | | |
|
Expected life time of a warrant (years)
|
| | | | 9.56–9.59 | | | | | | 9.66 | | | | | | 9.87 | | | | | | 9.86 | | |
|
Risk-free rate (%)
|
| | | | 2.45–2.59 | | | | | | 2.58 | | | | | | 2.935 | | | | | | 2.66 | | |
|
Expected dividends (%)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
ESOP warrants granted in
|
| |
January 2023
|
| |
October 2022
|
| |
July 2022
|
| |
April 2022
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Number of ESOP warrants granted
|
| | | | 1,300 | | | | | | 18,847 | | | | | | 423 | | | | | | 8,959 | | |
|
Fair value (€)
|
| | | | 79.79 | | | | | | 71.26–79.79 | | | | | | 70.64 | | | | | | 64.69 | | |
|
Share price (€)
|
| | | | 79.80 | | | | | | 79.80 | | | | | | 79.80 | | | | | | 64.70 | | |
|
Exercise price (€)
|
| | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 0.01–52.13 | | | | | | 55.66 | | | | | | 0.01 | | |
|
Expected volatility (%)
|
| | | | 95.54 | | | | | | 89.82–89.76 | | | | | | 90.93 | | | | | | 88.72 | | |
|
Expected life time of a warrant (years)
|
| | | | 9.83 | | | | | | 9.92–9.94 | | | | | | 9.98 | | | | | | 8.93 | | |
|
Risk-free rate (%)
|
| | | | 2.37 | | | | | | 2,705–3.032 | | | | | | 1.67 | | | | | | 0.90 | | |
|
Expected dividends (%)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
ESOP warrants granted in
|
| |
March 2022
|
| |
January 2022
|
| |
July 2021
|
| |
February 2021
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Number of ESOP warrants granted
|
| | | | 2,250 | | | | | | 1,406 | | | | | | 49,681 | | | | | | 11,082 | | |
|
Fair value (€)
|
| | | | 54.7 | | | | | | 55.4 | | | | | | 57.52–64.69 | | | | | | 7.8 | | |
|
Share price (€)
|
| | | | 64.7 | | | | | | 64.7 | | | | | | 64.7 | | | | | | 10.7 | | |
|
Exercise price (€)
|
| | | | 52.1 | | | | | | 52.1 | | | | | | 0.01–52.13 | | | | | | 21.3 | | |
|
Expected volatility (%)
|
| | | | 89.8 | | | | | | 92.4 | | | | | | 99.8 | | | | | | 83.3 | | |
|
Expected life time of a warrant (years)
|
| | | | 9.0 | | | | | | 9.2 | | | | | | 9.6 | | | | | | 9.7 | | |
|
Risk-free rate (%)
|
| | | | 0.8 | | | | | | 0.1 | | | | | | (0.255) | | | | | | (0.217) | | |
|
Expected dividends (%)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
ESOP warrants granted in
|
| |
January 2021
|
| |
June 2020
|
| |
November 2019
|
| |
June 2019
|
| |||||||||
|
Number of ESOP warrrants granted
|
| |
4,053
|
| | | | 4,546 | | | | | | 5,933 | | | | | | 7,971 | | |
|
Fair value (€)
|
| |
7.06–7.49
|
| | | | 8.4 | | | | | | 8.5 | | | | | | 7.3 | | |
|
Share price (€)
|
| |
10.7
|
| | | | 10.7 | | | | | | 10.7 | | | | | | 10.7 | | |
|
Exercise price (€)
|
| |
21.3
|
| | | | 21.3 | | | | | | 21.3 | | | | | | 21.3 | | |
|
Expected volatility (%)
|
| |
81.7
|
| | | | 91.2 | | | | | | 91.7 | | | | | | 76.6 | | |
|
Expected life time of a warrant (years)
|
| |
8.12–9.21
|
| | | | 9.8 | | | | | | 9.9 | | | | | | 9.8 | | |
|
Risk-free rate (%)
|
| |
(0.405)–(0.350)
|
| | | | (0.392) | | | | | | (0.196) | | | | | | — | | |
|
Expected dividends (%)
|
| |
—
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Expiry date
|
| |
Exercise price per
ESOP warrants (in €) |
| |
December 31, 2024
|
| |
December 31, 2023
|
| |||||||||
|
2029
|
| | | | 21.25 | | | | | | 16,823 | | | | | | 16,960 | | |
|
2030
|
| | | | 21.25 | | | | | | 16,163 | | | | | | 16,625 | | |
|
2031
|
| | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 13,345 | | | | | | 13,345 | | |
|
2031
|
| | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 44,169 | | | | | | 48,907 | | |
|
2032
|
| | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 5,547 | | | | | | 5,883 | | |
|
2032
|
| | | | 55.66 | | | | | | 423 | | | | | | 423 | | |
|
2032
|
| | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 15,696 | | | | | | 17,708 | | |
| 2033 | | | | | 58.52 | | | | | | 4,363 | | | | | | — | | |
| 2033 | | | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 38,943 | | | | | | — | | |
| 2033 | | | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 8,535 | | | | | | — | | |
| 2034 | | | | | 52.93 | | | | | | 37,512 | | | | | | — | | |
| 2034 | | | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 15,730 | | | | | | — | | |
| 2034 | | | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 2,277 | | | | | | — | | |
| 2034 | | | | | 59.95 | | | | | | 915 | | | | | | — | | |
| Total | | | | | | | | | | | 220,441 | | | | | | 119,851 | | |
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Trade payables
|
| | | | 5,952 | | | | | | 6,830 | | |
|
Payroll-related liabilities
|
| | | | 1,923 | | | | | | 1,249 | | |
|
Social tax payables
|
| | | | 177 | | | | | | 202 | | |
|
Other current liabilities
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 1 | | |
|
Total trade and other payables
|
| | | | 8,052 | | | | | | 8,282 | | |
|
Deferred income
|
| | | | 801 | | | | | | 1,181 | | |
|
Accrued charges
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 15 | | |
|
Total deferred income and accrued charges
|
| | | | 801 | | | | | | 1,196 | | |
|
Total other current liabilities
|
| | | | 8,853 | | | | | | 9,478 | | |
|
Assumptions
|
| |
2024
|
|
|
Discount rate
|
| |
3.40%
|
|
|
Salary increase (incl. inflation)
|
| |
4.00%
|
|
|
Legal minimum rate of return
|
| |
2.50%
|
|
|
Turnover rate
|
| |
5% until age 55; 0% thereafter
|
|
|
Mortality table (pre-retirement)
|
| |
MR-5 / FR-5
|
|
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Present value of defined benefit obligation (DBO)
|
| | | | 255 | | | | | | 113 | | |
|
Fair value of plan assets (FVPA)
|
| | | | (255) | | | | | | (113) | | |
|
Net defined benefit liability/(asset)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |||
|
Net defined benefit liability at January 1
|
| | | | — | | |
|
Current service cost
|
| | | | 104 | | |
|
Net interest cost
|
| | | | (2) | | |
|
Employer contributions
|
| | | | (175) | | |
|
Remeasurements (OCI)
|
| | | | 73 | | |
|
Net defined benefit liability at December 31
|
| | | | — | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |||
|
Current service cost
|
| | | | 104 | | |
|
Net interest (expense)/income
|
| | | | (2) | | |
|
Total pension costs
|
| | | | 103 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |||
|
Actuarial loss–experience adjustment
|
| | | | 73 | | |
|
Total recognized in OCI
|
| | | | 73 | | |
| | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Probability weighted average of different scenarios
|
| | | | 8,800 | | | | | | 8,800 | | |
|
WACC (%)
|
| | | | 16.60 | | | | | | 16.80 | | |
|
Contingent consideration
|
| | | | 7,879 | | | | | | 7,500 | | |
| | | | | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Category
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
| Financial assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Other non-current assets
|
| | FAAC* | | | | | 13 | | | | | | 14 | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | FAAC* | | | | | 171,459 | | | | | | 122,402 | | |
| Total | | | | | | | | 171,472 | | | | | | 122,416 | | |
| | | | | | |
For the year ended
December 31 |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Category
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
| Financial liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Contingent considerations - earn out (level 3)
|
| | FLAFVTPL*** | | | | | 7,879 | | | | | | 7,500 | | |
|
Anti-dilution warrants (level 3)
|
| | FLAFVTPL*** | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,226 | | |
|
Trade and other payables
|
| | FLAC** | | | | | 8,052 | | | | | | 8,282 | | |
| Total | | | | | | | | 15,931 | | | | | | 17,008 | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
Contingent
considerations– earn out |
| |
Anti-dilution
warrants |
| ||||||
|
As at January 1, 2023
|
| | | | (4,373) | | | | | | (23,318) | | |
| Total gains or losses for the period | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
included in profit or loss
|
| | | | (3,127) | | | | | | 22,092 | | |
|
include in OCI
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | (7,500) | | | | | | (1,226) | | |
| Total gains or losses for the period | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
included in profit or loss
|
| | | | (379) | | | | | | 1,226 | | |
|
include in OCI
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2024
|
| | | | (7,879) | | | | | | — | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Number of management members and Executive Directors
|
| | | | 6 | | | | | | 6 | | |
|
Short-term employee benefits
|
| | | | 2,224 | | | | | | 2,022 | | |
|
Post employment benefits
|
| | | | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Other long-term benefits
|
| | | | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Termination benefits
|
| | | | | | | | | | — | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | | | 171 | | | | | | 822 | | |
| Total | | | | | 2,401 | | | | | | 2,844 | | |
|
Of which outstanding at year-end
|
| | | | 573 | | | | | | 1,465 | | |
|
ESOP warrants granted during the year
|
| | | | 49,324 | | | | | | — | | |
|
ESOP warrants outstanding
|
| | | | 109,993 | | | | | | 72,619 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Audit fees
|
| | | | 67 | | | | | | 33 | | |
|
Audit related fees
|
| | | | 635 | | | | | | 164 | | |
|
Other non-audit services
|
| | | | 9 | | | | | | 13 | | |
|
Total Audit fees
|
| | | | 711 | | | | | | 210 | | |
| | | | | | |
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
| |||||||||
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
Notes
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||
|
Research and development expenses
|
| |
5.1
|
| | | | (35,015) | | | | | | (28,582) | | |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
| |
5.1
|
| | | | (9,620) | | | | | | (8,664) | | |
|
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | | | | (44,635) | | | | | | (37,246) | | |
|
Other operating income
|
| |
5.2
|
| | | | 1,887 | | | | | | 1,039 | | |
|
Operating loss
|
| | | | | | | (42,748) | | | | | | (36,207) | | |
|
Changes in fair value of financial liabilities
|
| |
11
|
| | | | (3,227) | | | | | | 1,147 | | |
|
Financial expenses
|
| | | | | | | (199) | | | | | | (222) | | |
|
Financial income
|
| | | | | | | 1,028 | | | | | | 747 | | |
|
Loss before taxes
|
| | | | | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34,535) | | |
|
Income tax (expenses)/income
|
| | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Loss for the period
|
| | | | | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34,535) | | |
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
| |
6
|
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
|
Basic and diluted loss per share (in thousands of €)
|
| |
6
|
| | | | (2.26) | | | | | | (1.68) | | |
| | | | | | |
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
| |||||||||
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
Notes
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||
|
Loss for the period*
|
| | | | | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34,535) | | |
| Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Foreign currency translation differences
|
| | | | | | | 64 | | | | | | 1 | | |
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligations
|
| | | | | | | (3) | | | | | | (55) | | |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, net of tax
|
| | | | | | | 61 | | | | | | (54) | | |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the period*
|
| | | | | | | (45,085) | | | | | | (34,589) | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Notes
|
| |
As of September 30,
2025 |
| |
As of December 31,
2024 |
| |||||||||
| Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Intangible assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 20,110 | | | | | | 20,110 | | |
|
Goodwill
|
| | | | | | | | | | 8,612 | | | | | | 8,612 | | |
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | | | | | | | 529 | | | | | | 619 | | |
|
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 1,146 | | | | | | 1,373 | | |
|
Other financial assets
|
| | | | 11 | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | 12 | | |
|
Other non-current assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 2,210 | | | | | | 1,787 | | |
|
Total non-current assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 32,618 | | | | | | 32,513 | | |
| Current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Other current assets
|
| | | | 5.2 | | | | | | 3,428 | | | | | | 2,386 | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 7 | | | | | | 129,585 | | | | | | 171,459 | | |
|
Total current assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 133,013 | | | | | | 173,845 | | |
|
Total assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | 165,631 | | | | | | 206,358 | | |
| Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Share capital
|
| | | | | | | | | | 223,072 | | | | | | 223,072 | | |
|
Share premium reserve
|
| | | | | | | | | | 76,634 | | | | | | 76,634 | | |
|
Accumulated loss
|
| | | | | | | | | | (164,266) | | | | | | (119,181) | | |
|
Share-based payment reserves
|
| | | | 9 | | | | | | 12,457 | | | | | | 8,522 | | |
|
Other reserves
|
| | | | | | | | | | (966) | | | | | | (966) | | |
|
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent
|
| | | | | | | | | | 146,931 | | | | | | 188,081 | | |
|
Total equity
|
| | | | | | | | | | 146,931 | | | | | | 188,081 | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Non-current lease liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 1,085 | | | | | | 1,272 | | |
|
Contingent consideration
|
| | | | 10;11 | | | | | | 8,106 | | | | | | 7,879 | | |
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 9,191 | | | | | | 9,151 | | |
| Current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Current lease liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 242 | | | | | | 273 | | |
|
Anti-dilutive warrants
|
| | | | 8 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Trade and other payables
|
| | | | | | | | | | 7,581 | | | | | | 8,052 | | |
|
Deferred income and accrued charges
|
| | | | 5.2 | | | | | | 1,686 | | | | | | 801 | | |
|
Total current liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 9,509 | | | | | | 9,126 | | |
|
Total liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 18,700 | | | | | | 18,277 | | |
|
Total equity and liabilities
|
| | | | | | | | | | 165,631 | | | | | | 206,358 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Share
capital |
| |
Share
premium reserve |
| |
Accumulated
loss |
| |
Translation
reserve |
| |
Actuarial
losses |
| |
Share-based
payment reserve |
| |
Other
reserves |
| |
Equity
attributable to owners of the Company |
| |
Total
equity |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance at January 1, 2024
|
| | | | 174,712 | | | | | | 42,939 | | | | | | (72,831) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7,452 | | | | | | (837) | | | | | | 151,435 | | | | | | 151,435 | | |
|
Loss for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (34,535) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (34,535) | | | | | | (34,535) | | |
|
Other comprehensive income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | (55) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (54) | | | | | | (54) | | |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (34,535) | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | (55) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (34,589) | | | | | | (34,589) | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 572 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 572 | | | | | | 572 | | |
|
Transaction costs to be deducted from equity
(IAS 32) |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 2 | | |
|
Balance at September 30, 2024
|
| | | | 174,712 | | | | | | 42,939 | | | | | | (107,366) | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | (55) | | | | | | 8,024 | | | | | | (835) | | | | | | 117,420 | | | | | | 117,420 | | |
|
Balance at January 1, 2025
|
| | | | 223,072 | | | | | | 76,634 | | | | | | (119,098) | | | | | | (10) | | | | | | (73) | | | | | | 8,522 | | | | | | (966) | | | | | | 188,081 | | | | | | 188,081 | | |
|
Loss for the period
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (45,146) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (45,146) | | |
|
Other comprehensive income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 64 | | | | | | (3) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 61 | | | | | | 61 | | |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the period
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (45,146) | | | | | | 64 | | | | | | (3) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (45,085) | | | | | | (45,085) | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,935 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,935 | | | | | | 3,935 | | |
|
Transaction costs to be deducted from equity
(IAS 32) |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Balance at September 30, 2025
|
| | | | 223,072 | | | | | | 76,634 | | | | | | (164,244) | | | | | | 54 | | | | | | (76) | | | | | | 12,457 | | | | | | (966) | | | | | | 146,931 | | | | | | 146,931 | | |
| | | |
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||
|
Net income/(loss) for the period
|
| | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34.535) | | |
| Adjustments for non-cash items: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Fair value gain (loss) on financial liabilities
|
| | | | 3,227 | | | | | | (1,147) | | |
|
Depreciation & amortization
|
| | | | 302 | | | | | | 226 | | |
|
Share-based payment expenses
|
| | | | 3,935 | | | | | | 572 | | |
|
Net foreign exchange losses (gains)
|
| | | | 31 | | | | | | 102 | | |
|
Interest expenses
|
| | | | 47 | | | | | | 59 | | |
|
Interest income
|
| | | | (908) | | | | | | (687) | | |
|
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
|
| | | | (38,512) | | | | | | (35,410) | | |
| Movements in working capital: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Decrease/(increase) in other current assets
|
| | | | (955) | | | | | | (152) | | |
|
Decrease/(increase) in other non-current assets
|
| | | | (423) | | | | | | (317) | | |
|
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
|
| | | | (471) | | | | | | 1,084 | | |
|
Increase/(decrease) in deferred income
|
| | | | 885 | | | | | | (275) | | |
|
Interest paid
|
| | | | (6) | | | | | | (8) | | |
|
Interest received
|
| | | | 912 | | | | | | 687 | | |
|
Net cash flows from/(used in) operating activities
|
| | | | (38,570) | | | | | | (34,391) | | |
|
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (312) | | |
|
Payment of contingent consideration from previous acquisition
|
| | | | (3,000) | | | | | | — | | |
|
Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities
|
| | | | (3,000) | | | | | | (312) | | |
|
Repayment of lease liabilities
|
| | | | (304) | | | | | | (100) | | |
|
Proceeds from capital increase
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 15,000 | | |
|
Net cash flows from/(used in) financing activities
|
| | | | (304) | | | | | | 14,900 | | |
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | (41,874) | | | | | | (19,803) | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
|
| | | | 171,459 | | | | | | 122,402 | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
|
| | | | 129,585 | | | | | | 102,599 | | |
|
Company name
|
| |
Registration number
|
| |
Location
|
| |
Financial interest (%)
|
|
| Agomab Therapeutics NV | | | 674527310 | | | Antwerp, Belgium | | | Parent | |
| Agomab Spain S.L.U. | | | B32478414 | | |
Fonte Díaz-A Coruña, Spain
|
| | 100% | |
| Agomab US Inc. | | | 99-3323612 | | | Delaware, USA | | | 100% | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
As of September 30,
2025 |
| |
As of December 31,
2024 |
| ||||||
|
Agomab Belgium
|
| | | | 5,440 | | | | | | 5,309 | | |
|
Agomab Spain
|
| | | | 27,178 | | | | | | 27,204 | | |
|
Agomab US
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total non-current assets
|
| | | | 32,618 | | | | | | 32,513 | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||
|
Clinical trial expenses
|
| | | | 26,443 | | | | | | 22,707 | | |
|
Employee benefits
|
| | | | 5,314 | | | | | | 3,037 | | |
|
R&D consulting
|
| | | | 1,662 | | | | | | 1,572 | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | | | 1,067 | | | | | | (26) | | |
|
Chemicals and small materials
|
| | | | 218 | | | | | | 922 | | |
|
Patent related charges
|
| | | | 311 | | | | | | 370 | | |
|
Total research and development expenses
|
| | | | 35,015 | | | | | | 28,582 | | |
|
Employee benefits
|
| | | | 3,847 | | | | | | 3,328 | | |
|
Share-based payments
|
| | | | 2,867 | | | | | | 598 | | |
|
Professional service fees
|
| | | | 760 | | | | | | 2,923 | | |
|
Office materials and services
|
| | | | 997 | | | | | | 481 | | |
|
Travel and meeting expenses
|
| | | | 520 | | | | | | 450 | | |
|
Facility rent and expenses
|
| | | | 105 | | | | | | 235 | | |
|
Board fees
|
| | | | 43 | | | | | | 52 | | |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
| | | | 302 | | | | | | 226 | | |
|
Recruitment
|
| | | | 80 | | | | | | 204 | | |
|
Other G&A expenses
|
| | | | 99 | | | | | | 167 | | |
|
Total general and administrative expenses
|
| | | | 9,620 | | | | | | 8,664 | | |
|
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | 44,635 | | | | | | 37,246 | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| |||||||||
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||
|
Grants received
|
| | | | 886 | | | | | | 254 | | |
|
R&D tax credit
|
| | | | 422 | | | | | | 317 | | |
|
R&D personnel credit
|
| | | | 543 | | | | | | 432 | | |
|
Other Income
|
| | | | 36 | | | | | | 36 | | |
|
Total other operating income
|
| | | | 1,887 | | | | | | 1,039 | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| |||||||||
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||
| Basic loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Loss for the period
|
| | | | (45,146) | | | | | | (34,535) | | |
|
Loss attributable to the holder of the profit share certificate(1)
|
| | | | 2,185 | | | | | | 2,295 | | |
|
Cumulative dividend on preferred shares (Series A, B, C and D)(2)
|
| | | | (13,486) | | | | | | (9,793) | | |
|
Loss attributable to the common shareholders
|
| | | | (56,447) | | | | | | (42,033) | | |
| Diluted loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Dilution effect of ESOP warrants, preferred shares, anti-dilutive warrants
and profit share certificate |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Loss attributable to common shareholders, after dilution effect
|
| | | | (56,447) | | | | | | (42,033) | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| |||||||||
|
Number of shares
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2025
|
| ||||||
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period for basic and diluted EPS
|
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
|
Total weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period for basic and diluted EPS
|
| | | | 25,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| |||||||||
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
2025
|
| |
2025
|
| ||||||
|
Basic loss per share
|
| | | | (2.26) | | | | | | (1.68) | | |
|
Diluted loss per share
|
| | | | (2.26) | | | | | | (1.68) | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
As of September 30,
2025 |
| |
As of December 31,
2024 |
| ||||||
|
Term deposits
|
| | | | 75,000 | | | | | | 145,000 | | |
|
Cash at bank and in hand
|
| | | | 54,585 | | | | | | 26,459 | | |
|
Total cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 129,585 | | | | | | 171,459 | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
Fair Value |
| |
09/30/2025
|
| |
12/31/2024
|
| ||||||
|
Series A
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Series B
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Series C
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Series D
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total Anti-dilutive warrants
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Exit probabilities without intermediate funding round
|
| |
09/30/2025
|
| |
12/31/2024
|
| ||||||
|
Series A, Series B, Series C and Series D
|
| | | | 100% | | | | | | 100% | | |
|
Volatility
|
| |
09/30/2025
|
| |
12/31/2024
|
| ||||||
|
Series A, Series B, Series C and Series D
|
| | | | 77.59% | | | | | | 57.89% | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
Sensitivity analysis |
| | | | |
09/30/2025
|
| |
12/31/2024
|
| ||||||
|
Series A
|
| |
Exit probabilities -5%
|
| | | | 26 | | | | | | 30 | | |
|
Series B
|
| |
Exit probabilities -5%
|
| | | | 499 | | | | | | 456 | | |
|
Series C
|
| |
Exit probabilities -5%
|
| | | | 486 | | | | | | 446 | | |
|
Series D
|
| |
Exit probabilities -5%
|
| | | | 572 | | | | | | 521 | | |
|
Stock options granted in
|
| |
January 6, 2025
|
|
|
Number of options granted
|
| |
57,150
|
|
|
Fair value (€)
|
| |
97.45 / 87.24 / 86.83
|
|
|
Share price (€)
|
| |
97.46
|
|
|
Exercise price (€)
|
| |
0.01 / 59.95 / 64.40
|
|
|
Expected volatility (%)
|
| |
91.22
|
|
|
Expected lifetime of a warrant (years)
|
| |
9.83
|
|
|
Risk-free rate (%)
|
| |
2.316
|
|
|
Expected dividends (%)
|
| |
—
|
|
| | | |
exercise price per
warrants (in €) |
| |
Outstanding stock options on
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Expiry date
|
| |
September 30, 2025
|
| |
December 31, 2024
|
| ||||||||||||
|
2029
|
| | | | 21.25 | | | | | | 16,823 | | | | | | 16,823 | | |
|
2030
|
| | | | 21.25 | | | | | | 16,163 | | | | | | 16,163 | | |
|
2031
|
| | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 13,345 | | | | | | 13,345 | | |
|
2031
|
| | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 44,169 | | | | | | 44,169 | | |
|
2032
|
| | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 5,493 | | | | | | 5,547 | | |
|
2032
|
| | | | 55.66 | | | | | | 423 | | | | | | 423 | | |
|
2032
|
| | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 15,696 | | | | | | 15,696 | | |
|
2033
|
| | | | 58.52 | | | | | | 4,363 | | | | | | 4,363 | | |
|
2033
|
| | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 38,943 | | | | | | 38,943 | | |
|
2033
|
| | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 8,475 | | | | | | 8,535 | | |
|
2034
|
| | | | 52.93 | | | | | | 37,512 | | | | | | 37,512 | | |
|
2034
|
| | | | 52.13 | | | | | | 15,655 | | | | | | 15,730 | | |
|
2034
|
| | | | 0.01 | | | | | | 36,930 | | | | | | 2,277 | | |
|
2034
|
| | | | 59.95 | | | | | | 16,834 | | | | | | 915 | | |
|
2034
|
| | | | 64.40 | | | | | | 6,503 | | | | | | — | | |
| Total | | | | | | | | | | | 277,327 | | | | | | 220,441 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
As of September 30,
2025 |
| |
As of September 30,
2024 |
| ||||||
|
Probability weighted average of different scenarios
|
| | | | 10,500 | | | | | | 8,800 | | |
|
WACC
|
| | | | 16.5% | | | | | | 16.7% | | |
|
Contingent consideration
|
| | | | 8,105 | | | | | | 7,579 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Category
|
| |
As of
September 30, 2025 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2024 |
| ||||||
| Financial assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Other financial assets
|
| | FAAC* | | | | | 11 | | | | | | 12 | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | FAAC* | | | | | 129,585 | | | | | | 171,459 | | |
| Total | | | | | | | | 129,596 | | | | | | 171,471 | | |
|
(In thousands of €)
|
| |
Category
|
| |
As of
September 30, 2025 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2024 |
| ||||||
| Financial liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Contingent considerations - earn out (level 3)
|
| | FLAFVTPL** | | | | | 8,106 | | | | | | 7,879 | | |
|
Anti-dilution warrants (level 3)
|
| | FLAFVTPL** | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Trade and other payables
|
| | FLAC* | | | | | 7,581 | | | | | | 8,052 | | |
| Total | | | | | | | | 15,687 | | | | | | 15,931 | | |
|
(in thousands of €)
|
| |
Contingent
considerations– earn out |
| |
Anti-dilution
warrants |
| ||||||
|
As at December 31, 2023
|
| | | | (7,500) | | | | | | (1,226) | | |
| Total gains or (losses) for the period | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
included in profit or loss
|
| | | | 79 | | | | | | 1,226 | | |
|
include in OCI
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at September 30, 2024
|
| | | | (7,421) | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at December 31, 2024
|
| | |
|
(7,879)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| |
| Total gains or (losses) for the period | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
included in profit or loss
|
| | | | (3,227) | | | | | | — | | |
|
include in OCI
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Settlements
|
| | | | 3,000 | | | | | | — | | |
|
As at September 30, 2025
|
| | | | (8,106) | | | | | | — | | |
| |
J.P. Morgan
|
|
| |
Morgan Stanley
|
|
| |
Leerink Partners
|
|
| |
Van Lanschot Kempen
|
|
| |
Signature
|
| |
Title
|
| |
Date
|
|
| |
/s/ Tim Knotnerus
Tim Knotnerus
|
| |
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer) |
| |
January 16, 2026
|
|
| |
/s/ Pierre Kemula
Pierre Kemula
|
| |
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
| |
January 16, 2026
|
|
| |
/s/ David Epstein
David Epstein
|
| |
Chairman of the Board
|
| |
January 16, 2026
|
|
| |
/s/ Angelika Jahreis
Angelika Jahreis
|
| |
Director
|
| |
January 16, 2026
|
|
| |
/s/ Felice Verduyn—van Weegen
Felice Verduyn—van Weegen
|
| |
Director
|
| |
January 16, 2026
|
|
| |
Signature
|
| |
Title
|
| |
Date
|
|
| |
/s/ Ohad Hammer
Ohad Hammer
|
| |
Director
|
| |
January 16, 2026
|
|
| |
/s/ Colin Bond
Colin Bond
|
| |
Director
|
| |
January 16, 2026
|
|
| | | | | Authorized Representative in the United States | | |||
| | | | | By: | | |
/s/ Colleen A. De Vries
Name: Colleen A. De Vries
Title: Senior Vice-President on behalf of Cogency Global Inc. |
|
Exhibit 2.1
Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and is the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that was omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”.
Execution Version
SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
for the sale and purchase of all shares
in Origo Biopharma, S.L.
between
Sabadell Asabys Health Innovation Investments
S.C.R., S.A.
Galchimia, S.A.
Darpaufarma, S.L.
Autiria Biomed, S.L.
Galicia Innova Tech, FICC
Jaume Busquets Viñallonga
as the Sellers
and
AgomAb Therapeutics NV
as the Purchaser
Date: 26 October 2021
i
SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN:
| 1. | Sabadell Asabys Health Innovation Investments S.C.R., S.A., a venture capital company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], registered with the Commercial Registry of Barcelona under volume 46606, sheet 1, page B-525265, registered with the CNMV under number 277 and holder of tax identification number [***], (“Asabys”). |
Asabys is hereby represented by its managing company, Asabys Partners SEGIC, S.A.U., a company organized under Spanish law, with registered office at [***], [***], registered with the CNMV, under number 165.
| 2. | Asabys Partners SEGIC, S.A.U. is hereby represented by Ms. Clara Campàs Moya, of legal age, of Spanish nationality, with professional address at [***], and holder of Spanish ID number [***] in her capacity as joint and several managing director (consejero delegado solidario) of Asabys Partners SEGIC, S.A.U. |
| 3. | Galchimia, S.A., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***] , registered with the commercial register of Santiago under Volume 2,528, Page 58, Sheet SC-27798, and holder of tax identification number [***], represented by Mana do Carme Pampin in her capacity as joint and several managing director (consejero delegado solidario) (“Galchimia”); |
| 4. | Darpaufarma, S.L., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], registered with the commercial register of Barcelona under Volume 45,247, Page 46, Sheet B-481675, and holder of tax identification number [***], represented by Mr. Julio-Cesar Castro-Palomino Laria in his capacity as joint and several director (“Darpaufarma”); |
| 5. | Autiria Biomed, S.L., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], registered with the commercial register of Barcelona under Volume 46,995, Page 151, Sheet 537618, and holder of tax identification number [***], represented by Mr. Ramón Bosser Artal in his capacity as sole director (“Autiria”); |
| 6. | Galicia Innova Tech, FICC, a closed-ended investment fund organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office [***], registered with the Administrative Register of Closed-Ended Investment Funds of the CNMV under number 12 (“Galicia Innova Tech”). |
Galicia Innova Tech is hereby represented by its managing company, Xesgalicia SGEIC, S.A.U., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***] and registered with the commercial register of A Coruña under volume 190, page 170, section 8, sheet SC 21.886 and with the Administrative Register of Closed-ended Collective Investment Collective Management Companies of the CNMV under number 12, represented by Mr. Rubén Aguión Seoane in his capacity as attorney.
| 7. | Jaume Busquets Viñallonga, an individual residing at of legal age, with Spanish nationality, residing at [***], s/n ([***]) and provided with Spanish ID number [***] (“Jaume Busquets Viñallonga”); |
Asabys, Galchimia, Darpaufarma, Autiria, Galicia Innova Tech, Jaume Busquets Viñallonga are hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Sellers”; and
| 8. | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, a company organised under the laws of Belgium, with its registered office at [***], registered with the Register of Legal Entities of Ghent (Belgium) under number 0674.527.310, represented by Tim Knotnerus in his capacity as CEO and special proxy holder, hereinafter referred to as “AgomAb” or the “Purchaser”; |
1
The Sellers and the Purchaser are hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party”.
WHEREAS:
| A. | The Sellers hold all the existing shares, i.e. [***] shares ([***] ordinary shares and [***] preferred shares) (the “Existing Shares”), in Origo Biopharma, S.L., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], registered with the commercial register of Ourense (Spain), with C.I.F. number B32478414 (“Origo” or the “Company”). |
| B. | The Sellers hold the ownership of the Existing Shares as described in Schedule B of this Agreement. |
| C. | On July 23rd 2021, certain of the Sellers (as lenders) and the Company (as borrower) entered into a convertible loan agreement for a principal amount of €[***] notarised before the Spanish Notary Ms. Laura Nogales Martin, on 31 August 2021, under the number 1,771 of her official records (the “Convertible Loan”), which on the Closing Date shall be converted into Company’s new shares, simultaneously with the Closing, by offsetting the principal amount and interest accrued under the Convertible Loan (the “New Shares”) and, together with the Existing Shares, the “Shares”. |
| D. | The Company is engaged in the business of the research and development of products in the pharmaceutical field related to the modulation of the protein named “TGF beta” receptor (the “Business”). |
| E. | Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser and the Company entered into a confidentiality agreement (the “CDA”) on 6 May 2021. In the context of the negotiations relating to the formalization of this Agreement and under the CDA, the Purchaser has been provided with certain information and documentation, by means of a virtual data room available to the Purchaser from 27 May 2021 until 22 October 2021 (the “VDR”), in order for the Purchaser to perform a due diligence on the Company and the Business with the support of its own professional advisors (the “Due Diligence Process”). The Due Diligence Process has included access to the documents and information contained in the USB to be deposited before a Spanish notary on the USB Deposit Date. |
| F. | The Purchaser wishes to acquire the entire share capital and voting rights on a fully diluted basis of the Company. Each of the Sellers wishes to transfer, and the Purchaser wishes to purchase, all the Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this agreement (the “Agreement”). |
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
| 1. | DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
| 1.1. | Definitions |
The following capitalised terms and expressions used in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:
| Advisors’ Fees | Defined in Section 15.3(d). |
| Affiliate | with respect to a Party hereto, any entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Party; whereby “control” shall mean, with respect to a Person, (a) to possess, directly or indirectly, the power to direct the management or policies of a Person whether through ownership of voting securities or by contract relating to voting rights or corporate governance, or (b) to own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities or other ownership interest of such Person. |
2
| Agreement | This share purchase agreement. |
| Annual Accounts | The audited annual accounts of the Company as of the Annual Accounts Date, i.e. the balance sheet and the profit and loss statement of the Company for the 12-month period ending on the Annual Accounts Date, together with any explanatory notes thereto. |
| Annual Accounts Date | 31 December 2020. |
| Articles of Association | The articles of association of the Company registered with the Commercial Registry of Ourense as of the date of this Agreement. |
| Authority | Any international, national, governmental, federal, community, regional, provincial, municipal or other public or judicial authority of the European Union, Spain or any other relevant jurisdiction. |
| Assets | The buildings, plants, leasehold improvements, structures, facilities, equipment and other items of tangible property and assets owned, leased or used by the Company. |
| Breach of Warranties | Defined in Section 12.1(a). |
| Business Day | Any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or official public holiday in Ghent (Belgium), Touro or Barcelona (Spain). |
| Change of Control | with respect to an entity, (a) any third party becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding shares of such entity or of voting securities, voting rights or equivalent, (b) the merger or consolidation with or into another corporation or entity pursuant to a transaction in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total outstanding shares of the surviving entity is not held by parties holding at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of the first entity immediately preceding such consolidation or merger, or (c) the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets (other than an Origo Product Disposal) of such entity to a third party. |
| Claim | Any claim for Compensation for Breach of Warranties or under the Specific Indemnities. |
| Clinical Trial | Any research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of human participants to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes planned, sponsored or conducted in relation to any of the Origo Products. |
| Closing | The completion of the Transaction. |
3
| Closing Balance Sheet | The balance sheet of the Company as of the Closing Balance Sheet Date in accordance with Section 4.2. |
| Closing Balance Sheet Date | The date to which the Closing Balance Sheet will be referring which, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties, shall be:
(i) If the Condition Precedent set forth in Section 6.1(a) is satisfied or waived on or after day 1 of a relevant month but no later than day 7 of such relevant month, the last calendar day of the month prior to the month in which such Condition Precedent is satisfied or waived.
(ii) If the Condition Precedent set forth in Section 6.1(a) is satisfied or waived after day 7 of a month but before the end of such month, the last calendar day of such relevant month. |
| Closing Cash | The amount of cash of the Company on the Closing Balance Sheet Date, as calculated in accordance with Schedule 4.1, and on the basis of the Closing Balance Sheet drawn up in accordance with Section 4.2. |
| Closing Date | The day of Closing, that unless otherwise agreed between the Parties, shall be:
(i) if the Condition Precedent set forth in Section 6.1(a) is satisfied or waived on or after day 23 of a relevant month but before the end of such month, the seventh Business Day following the day on which such Condition Precedent has been satisfied or waived.
(ii) If the Condition Precedent set forth in Section 6.1(a) is satisfied or waived on or after day 1 of a relevant month but no later than day 7 of such month, the seventh Business Day following the day on which such Condition Precedent has been satisfied or waived.
(iii) If the Condition Precedent set forth in Section 6.1(a) is satisfied or waived after day 7 of a relevant month but before day 23 of such month, the first Business Day of month following the month in which such Condition Precedent has been satisfied or waived. |
| Closing Net Cash/Debt | Defined in Schedule 4.1. |
| Closing Net Working Capital | Defined in Schedule 4.1. |
| Commercially Reasonable Efforts | [***] |
| Company | Defined in recital A. |
| Compensation | Any amount to be paid by the Sellers under Section 12 of this Agreement in respect of a Claim. |
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| Condition Precedent Notice | Defined in Section 6.3(a) |
| Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreements | Defined in Section 7.2(a) |
| Convertible Loan | Defined in recital c |
| Data Protection Legislation | The following legislation to the extent applicable from time to time: the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 and any other national privacy law implementing, modifying or supplementing such regulation, including but not limited to Spanish Data Protection Act (“Ley Organica 3/2018, de 5 de diciembre, de Protección de Datos Personales y garantfa de los derechos digitales”), as amended from time to time. |
| Director | Any member of the board of directors of the Company and, if such member is a legal entity, its permanent representative. |
| Disclosed | Any information included in the USB deposited before the Notary on the USB Deposit Date, such information having been fairly and clearly disclosed in such a manner to enable a Party acting with the assistance of professional advisors to accurately assess the nature and scope of the fact or matter disclosed. |
| Due Diligence Process | Defined in Recital E. |
| Earn-Out Consideration | Defined in Section 5.1. |
| Earn-Out Notice | Defined in Section 5.2. |
| Earn-Out Event/s | Earn-Out Event 1, Earn-Out Event 2 and Earn-Out Event 3. |
| Earn-Out Event 1 | Defined in Section 5.1(a)(i). |
| Earn-Out Event 2 | Defined in Section 5.1(a)(ii). |
| Earn-Out Event 3 | Defined in Section 5.1(a)(iii). |
| Earn-Out payment statement Employees | Defined in Section 5.3 (b). |
| Employees | The employees of the Company on the date of this Agreement. |
| Encumbrance | Any pledge, mortgage, lien, attachment, charge, assignment, usufruct, easement, option or other prohibition, charges or other restrictions, limitations or third party rights of any nature whatsoever, or any agreement or arrangement having a similar effect. |
| Environment | Any or all of the following media (alone or in combination): air (including the air within buildings or man-made structures above or below ground); water (including surface waters, water underground or in the soil); soil and land (including soil and river beds under any water, surface land and sub-surface land) and any ecological systems and living organisms supported by these media. |
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| Environmental Law | Any Law in respect of Environmental Matters. |
| Environmental Matters | All matters relating to the pollution or protection of the Environment. |
| Environmental Permits | Any Permit issued or required to be obtained under any Environmental Law, including building permits. |
| Escrow Account | Defined in Section 3.3. |
| Escrow Agent | Defined in Section 3.3. |
| Escrow Agreement | Defined in Section 3.3. |
| Escrow Amount | EUR [***]. |
| Estimated Net Cash/Debt | Shall be calculated in accordance with Schedule 4.1.BIS. |
| Estimated Net Working Capital | EUR [***]. |
| Exhibit | Any exhibit to this Agreement. |
| Existing Shares | Defined in Whereas A. |
| Expert | The individual referred to in Section 4.2(f). |
| FDA | The United States Food and Drug Administration or any successor governmental authority in the United States of America having substantially the same function. |
| FDI Authority | Defined in Section 6.1(a). |
| FDI Authorisation | Defined in Section 6.1(a). |
| FDI Condition Precedent | Defined in Section 6.1(a). |
| Fundamental Warranties | Sellers’ Warranties set out in Section 1 (The Sellers and the Sellers’ Shares) and Sections 2.1 to 2.3 (The Company and its Shares) of Schedule 10. |
| Hazardous Substances | To the extent regulated by the Environmental Authority, any wastes, pollutants, contaminants and any other natural or artificial substance (whether in the form of a solid, liquid, gas or vapour) which is capable of causing harm or damage to the Environment or a nuisance to any person. |
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| Initial Purchase Price | Defined in Section 3.1. |
| Intellectual Property Rights | Copyrights, Patents, software, trademarks, Know-How, database rights, designs, corporate and trade names, domain names, code and all other intellectual property or industrial property rights and equivalent or similar forms of protection existing anywhere in the world, whether registrable or not, and all registrations and applications thereof, including any priority right. |
| Interim Accounts | The interim financial statements of the Company as per the Interim Accounts Date. |
| Interim Accounts Date | 30 September 2021. |
| Interim Financing | Defined in Section 6.4(a). |
| IPP for the Existing Shares | Defined in Section 3.1. |
| IPP for the New Shares | Defined in Section 3.1. |
| Know-How | [***] |
| Law | Any law, EU directive, decree, regulation, decision, order, judgment or other rule, measure, circular or interpretation of any of the foregoing, enacted or promulgated by any Authority and that is currently in effect. |
| Lease Agreements | The following lease agreements:
(i) Lease agreement entered into between the Company and Asociacion Barcelona Health Hub dated on 1 September 2020.
(ii) Lease agreement entered into between the Company and Galchimia dated on 2 January 2020, as amended on 1 July 2020. |
| Long Stop Date | Defined in Section 6.4. |
| Loss | Any liability, loss, damage obligation or cost and expense sustained or incurred by the relevant Person, including reasonable third-party legal, expert or consulting fees and expenses incurred in defending or recovering such amounts or claims, excluding loss of profits (lucro cesante). |
| Majority Shareholders | Defined in Section 10.7. |
| Minority Shareholders | Defined in Section 10.7. |
| Material Adverse Change | [***]
[***] |
| Net Cash Proceeds | Defined in Section 5.1(c). |
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| Net Cash/Debt Adjustment | The adjustment of the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 4.1(b). |
| Net Working Capital Adjustment | The adjustment of the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 4.1(a). |
| New Shares | The newly Class A shares issued at the capitalization of the Convertible Loan. |
| New Shares Rights | Defined in Section 2. |
| Notary | The Notary Public that will notarize completion of the Transaction on the Closing Date. |
| Notice of Claim | Any notice of a Claim, from the Purchaser to the Sellers, made in accordance with Section 12.1(k). |
| Notice of Objection | The notice sent in accordance with Section 4.2(c). |
| ORG129 | The compound known as ORG129, and any metabolite, salt, ester, hydrate, solvate, isomer, enantiomer, free acid form, free base form, crystalline form, co-crystalline form, amorphous form, pro-drug, racemate, polymorph, chelate, stereoisomer, tautomer or optically active form of the foregoing. |
| ORG447 | The compound known as ORG447, and any metabolite, salt, ester, hydrate, solvate, isomer, enantiomer, free acid form, free base form, crystalline form, co-crystalline form, amorphous form, pro-drug, racemate, polymorph, chelate, stereoisomer, tautomer or optically active form of the foregoing. |
| Origo Product | Any product containing ORG129 or ORG447, alone or in combination with one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients, in any and all finished forms, presentations, delivery systems, strengths, dosages and formulations. |
| Origo Product Disposal | The direct or indirect disposal by the Purchaser of any Origo Product to a third party either by way of a licensing, or the granting of an option for the licensing, of the Intellectual Property Rights to such Origo Product, or an asset sale, or the granting of an option for an asset sale, of such Origo Product. |
| Origo Product Disposal Deadline | Defined in Section 5.1(c). |
| Parties | The parties to this Agreement. |
| Patent | Patents and patent applications and all substitutions, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, any patent issued with respect to such patent applications (including certificates of invention), any reissue, re-examination, utility models or designs, renewal or extension of any such patent, any term extension, a supplementary protection certificate and any confirmation patent or registration patent or patent of addition based on such patent, and all counterparts and patents and patent applications based on, corresponding to or claiming the priority date thereof in any country. |
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| Payment on Closing | Defined in Section 3.5. |
| Permit | Any regulatory, administrative or other permit, consent, registration, licence, exemption, approval, consent or other authorisation or clearance of any Authority, howsoever termed, required to own and/or to operate the assets held by the Company and/or its business. |
| Person | Any individual, partnership, corporation, company, trust, association and/or any similar entity or organization. |
| Phantom Stock Options | The phantom stock options issued by the Company pursuant to the Phantom Stock Option Plan. |
| Phantom Stock Option Plan | The phantom stock option plan approved by the Board of Directors on December 4th 2020 and ratified by the General Shareholders’ meeting on December 18th 2020. |
| Phase 1 Clinical Trial | A human clinical trial of an Origo Product, the principal purpose of which is a preliminary determination of safety, tolerability, pharmacological activity or pharmacokinetics in healthy individuals or patients, as exemplified in 21 C.F.R.. 312.21(a), as amended, or a similar clinical trial prescribed by the Authorities in another country. |
| Phase 2 Clinical Trial | A human clinical trial of an Origo Product, the principal purpose of which is to assess safety and efficacy with at least [***] treatment duration in the target patient population. |
| Phase 3 Clinical Trial | A human clinical trial of an Origo Product on a sufficient number of subjects in an indicated patient population that is designed to establish that such Origo Product is safe and efficacious for its intended use and to determine the benefit/risk relationship, warnings, precautions and adverse reactions that are associated with such Origo Product in the dosage range to be prescribed, which trial is intended to support Regulatory Approval of such Origo Product, as exemplified in 21 C.F.R. 312.21(c), as amended, or a similar clinical trial prescribed by the Authorities in another country. |
| Purchase Price | The purchase price for the Shares referred to in Section 3.1. |
| Purchaser’s Breach | Defined in Section 13(a). |
| Purchaser’s Warranties | Defined in Section 11. |
| Regulatory Approval | All approvals (including licenses, registrations or authorizations) from any Authority necessary for the manufacture, marketing, commercial distribution, importation and sale of an Origo Product for one or more indications in humans in a given country or regulatory jurisdiction, which may include satisfaction of all applicable regulatory and notification requirements and, where applicable, labelling approval. |
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| Restricted Business | [***]. |
| Restricted Territory | Any country or territory in the world. |
| Review Period | Defined in Section 4.2(b). |
| Sellers’ Knowledge | The knowledge that any Seller, a director of any Seller, a Director of the Company or any [***] has [***]. |
| Seller’s Proportion | Defined in Section 3.2. |
| Seller’s Pro Rata Share | Defined in Section 2.1. |
| Sellers’ Representatives | Defined in Section 15.2. |
| Sellers’ Warranties | Defined in Section 10.1. |
| Shares | Defined in Recital C |
| Share Capital Increase Deed | Defined in Section 8.2(b). |
| Shares Transfer Deed | Public deed granted before the Notary notarising this Agreement on the closing Date. |
| Spanish GAAP | The accounting Laws, rules and principles generally accepted in Spain with respect to annual accounts, as amended from time to time. |
| Tax | (i) Any taxes, levies, duties or other charge or withholdings (including any interest, penalties, increases or additional payments that may become payable in respect thereof), which shall include, without limitation, all income taxes, registration duties, real estate and property taxes, withholding taxes, environmental taxes, local and municipal taxes, value added tax, customs and excise duties, including equivalent impositions under the laws of any other jurisdiction in each case however denominated and irrespective of the relevant jurisdiction in which they are imposed or levied; and (ii) Any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in paragraph (i) of this definition as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period, as a result of any Tax sharing, Tax allocation or Tax indemnification agreement, arrangement or understanding, or as a result of being liable for another person’s Taxes as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise. |
| Tax Authority | Any Authority responsible for, and competent to impose, collect or administer, any Tax. |
| Tax Claim | A Claim by the Purchaser against the Sellers under the Tax Warranties. |
| Tax Return | Any return, declaration or similar document relating to any Tax and to be submitted to any Tax Authorities, including but not limited to any schedule or attachment thereto such as Tax slips that are required to be filed or to be made available in respect of any Taxes. |
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| Tax Warranties | The warranties set out in section 9 of Schedule 10. |
| Third-Party Claim | Any action or claim brought by, or proceedings initiated by, any third party against the Purchaser or the Company. |
| Transaction | Defined in Section 2.1. |
| Updated Seller’s Proportions | Defined in Section 3.2. |
| USB | The USB containing the information made available in the VDR. from 27 May 2021 until 22 October 2021 to the Purchaser. |
| USB Deposit Date | Defined in Section 7.4. |
| VAT | Value Added Tax. |
| VDR | Defined in Recital E. |
| 21 C.F.R. | Title 21 of the United States’ Code of Federal Regulations is administered by the FDA. |
1.2. Interpretation
This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the special provisions set forth in this Section and, for any matters which are not contemplated herein, the general interpretation provisions set forth in the Spanish Civil Code (Código Civil) shall apply.
| (a). | The titles and headings included in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be taken into account in the interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement. |
| (b). | No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted against a Party solely because that Party was responsible for drafting that particular provision. |
| (c). | The Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement form an integral part hereof and any reference to this Agreement includes the Exhibits and Schedules and vice versa. |
| (d). | The words “herein, “hereof”, “hereunder”, “hereby”, “hereto” or similar expressions shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular clause, paragraph or other subdivision. |
| (e). | Words denoting the singular shall be interpreted to include the plural and vice versa. Words denoting one gender shall be interpreted to include the other gender. |
| (f). | This Agreement has been drawn up in English. In the event of a discrepancy between the English text and any translation of this Agreement, the English-language version shall prevail for interpretation purposes. |
| (g). | English-language legal concepts that appear in this Agreement are used to describe Spanish legal concepts only, and the meaning of those words under English or any other foreign Law shall be disregarded. |
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| (h). | References to any Spanish legal concept shall, in respect of any jurisdiction other than Spanish, be deemed to include the concept which in that other jurisdiction most closely approximates the Spanish legal concept. |
| (i). | [***] |
| (j). | Any obligation or undertaking by a Party to procure or cause any of its Affiliates or any other Persons to do, or not to do, anything shall be construed as an undertaking to cause such action to occur to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law. |
| (k). | The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, with the advice of their respective legal advisors. Consequently, the Parties agree that the language in this Agreement shall be construed without applying (a) the interpretation rule set out in article 1,288 of the Spanish Civil Code (“Código Civil”), (b) the contra proferentem interpretation principle -according to which the terms of an agreement shall be construed against the party who has drafted it-, and (c) any other similar interpretation principle. |
| (l). | The words “include”, “included” or “including” or similar expressions shall mean “including but not limited to” and are used to indicate that the matters listed are not a complete enumeration of all matters covered. |
| (m). | Any period of time mentioned in this Agreement that consists of a number of days shall start to run on the day following that on which the triggering event occurs. The expiry date shall be included in the period. Any period of time mentioned in this Agreement that consists of a number of months or years shall start to run on the day in the relevant month or year on which the triggering event occurs and shall run until the eve of the same day in the relevant month or year. If the expiry date of a period is not a Business Day, expiry shall be postponed until the next Business Day. |
2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE SHARES
2.1. Pursuant to the terms and provisions hereunder and subject to the Conditions Precedent being timely fulfilled or waived, as the case may be, the Sellers sell all the Existing Shares and the rights inherent to the New Shares (the “New Shares Rights”) (and consequently, the New Shares as per Section 2.4) to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser purchases the Shares and the New Shares Rights (and consequently, the New Shares as per Section 2.4) from the Sellers as set out in Section 3.2 (the “Transaction”). The number of Shares and of New Shares Rights (and consequently, of New Shares as per Section 2.4) to be transferred by each Seller over the aggregate number of the overall Shares and New Shares Rights (and consequently, of New Shares as per Section 2.4) shall be referred to, for each Seller, as the “Seller’s Pro Rata Share”.
2.2. In accordance with articles 1,258 and 1,450 of the Civil Code, this Agreement is entered into (perfeccionado) by means of its signature by the Parties hereto, hence becoming binding and enforceable.
2.3. Subject to the fulfilment or waiver, as the case may be, of the Conditions Precedent, completion (consumacion) of the Transaction envisaged in this Agreement and thus the transfer of full title to the Existing Shares to the Purchaser, free and clear from any Encumbrances, in return for payment of the Initial Purchase Price to the Sellers, shall take place on the Closing Date in accordance with Section 8.2 of this Agreement. Title to the Existing Shares shall be transferred with all rights attached to the Shares at Closing, including the right to dividends or other distributions.
2.4. The transfer of the New Shares Rights shall grant to the Purchaser the ownership rights over the New Shares, once such shares have been registered with the Commercial Registry. The final ownership by the Purchaser over the New Shares is subject to registration of the corresponding share capital increase with the Commercial Registry and all the New Shares Rights inherent to the New Shares shall be deemed assigned to the Purchaser from Closing.
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2.5. The Transaction is indivisible and the Parties agree that it shall only be completed if all the Existing Shares and the New Shares are transferred.
3. PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE
3.1. Purchase Price
| (a). | The aggregate amount of the purchase price for the Shares under this Agreement (the “Purchase Price”), shall be an amount in cash equal to the sum of: |
| (i). | EUR 20,000,000 plus the Estimated Net Working Capital, plus the Estimated Net Cash/Debt, as adjusted in accordance with Section 4 after Closing, minus the Advisors’ Fees as provided in Section 15.3(d) (the result being the “Initial Purchase Price”); plus |
| (ii). | the Earn-Out Consideration (if any) payable in accordance with Section 5. |
| (b). | For the avoidance of any doubt, the Parties acknowledge and accept that the Earn-Out Consideration represents a contingent price that may be equal to zero. In such case, the Initial Purchase Price, once adjusted as provided in Section 4, shall represent the Purchase Price. |
| (c). | The Initial Purchase Price shall be divided into the Initial Purchase Price corresponding to the Existing Shares (the “IPP for the Existing Shares”) and the Initial Purchase Price corresponding to the New Shares (the “IPP for the New Shares”). |
| (d). | The Parties agree that the Sellers shall provide the Purchaser with the Estimated Net Cash/Debt at the time no later than [***] after the Condition Precedent Notice. The Estimated Net Cash/Debt shall be calculated as per Schedule 4.1.BIS and as of the date of the Condition Precedent Notice. |
3.2. Seller’s Proportion
For the purposes of this Agreement, the Sellers represent, and the Purchaser acknowledges, that the allocation of the Initial Purchase Price among the Sellers shall take into account the preferred rights of each class of the Shares provided under the Investment and Shareholders’ Agreement entered into by the Company and the Sellers on 30 June 2020 (the proportion of the Initial Purchase Price to be received by each of the Sellers to be referred to, for each Seller, as the “Seller’s Proportion”).
In case that the Closing Balance Sheet Date is 30 November 2021, the Seller’s Proportion would be as follows:
| Shareholders | Number
of Existing Shares | Number
of New Shares | Number
of Shares | Seller’s Proportion | ||||||||||||
| Asabys | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||
| Galchimia | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||
| Darpaufarma | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||
| Autiria | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||
| Galicia Innova Tech | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Jaume Busquets Viñallonga | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||
| TOTAL | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||
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In case that the Closing Balance Sheet Date is a date different to 30 November 2021 (whether prior or subsequent), the Sellers shall provide the Purchaser with updated figures of each of the Seller’s Proportions (the “Updated Seller’s Proportions”) no later than [***]after the Condition Precedent Notice. In case that the Sellers do not comply with this deadline, the Purchaser shall be entitled to allocate the Initial Purchase Price among the Sellers in accordance with the Seller’s Proportions indicated in this Agreement and/or shall not be liable for any late payment interest if any such payment is delayed. The Updated Seller’s Proportions shall be included in the notarisation of this Agreement to be formalized on the Closing Date in accordance with Section 8.2.
| 3.3. | Escrow |
At Closing, the Purchaser shall withhold from the payment of the Initial Purchase Price an amount equal to the Escrow Amount and shall deposit the Escrow Amount on the Closing Date with a first rank financial institution (the “Escrow Agent”) to be held in escrow, subject to the conditions and release mechanisms agreed with the Escrow Agent before the Closing Date, as collateral security against the payment by the Sellers (i) of any amounts payable under the adjustment of the Initial Purchase Price provided under Section 4; or (ii) of any Claims under Clause 12 of this Agreement. Purchaser and Sellers undertake to enter at Closing into an escrow agreement with the Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Agreement”), which will provide for an account for the Escrow Amount to be deposited (the “Escrow Account”). The Escrow Agreement to be agreed shall be in accordance with market standards for escrow deposits. Any fees corresponding to the Escrow Agent or arising from the Escrow Account will be borne by the Purchaser.
The Escrow Agent shall release the escrow in favour of the Sellers, in the applicable Seller’s Proportion, after deducting the amount owed by them to the Purchaser pursuant to this section (if any), on the date falling [***] from the Closing Date.
| 3.4. | Payment of the IPP for the New Shares |
At Closing, the Purchaser shall withhold from the payment of the Initial Purchase Price an amount equal to the IPP for the New Shares. This amount shall be withheld by the Purchaser until the moment when the Share Capital Increase Deed has been fully registered (without defects that effectively prevent the registration of the share capital increase capitalising the Convertible Loan) with the Commercial Registry and the transfer of the New Shares has been recorded in the Shares Purchase Deed by the Notary as per this Section 3.4.
Once the Share Capital Increase Deed is registered with the Commercial Registry, the Purchaser shall pay the IPP for the New Shares to the Sellers (in the proportion set out in the table included in Section 3.5 below updated on Closing, if applicable, as details to be provided by the Sellers’ to Purchaser) [***] following the day in which either Party has notified to the other Party the correct registration of the Share Capital Increase Deed with the Commercial Registry as evidenced by the notice received from the Commercial Registry in relation to the correct and full registration of the Share Capital Increase Deed.
The effective transfer of the New Shares shall be automatic upon the registration of the Share Capital Increase Deed. For such purposes, the Parties shall make their bests efforts to agree with the Notary that the transfer of the New Shares is recorded in the Shares Purchase Deed by way of a diligencia to such deed, or by any other alternative that the Notary finds appropriate in order to avoid, to the extent possible, the physical presence of the Parties at the Notary’s office to formalise the transfer of the New Shares.
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| 3.5. | Payment on Closing |
The Purchaser shall pay the Initial Purchase Price, minus the Escrow Amount, minus the IPP for to the New Shares (the “Payment on Closing”), to the Sellers on the Closing Date, without any set-off, counterclaim, restriction or condition and without any deduction or withholding (unless otherwise provided in this Agreement), in same-day funds by any necessary wire transfers to the Sellers following the details of the Seller’s Proportions or the Updated Seller’s Proportions that will be provided by the Sellers to Purchaser as included in Section 3.2 above.
Upon application of each of the corresponding Seller’s Proportions indicated above, the payments that result using the figures of Estimated Net Cash/Debt of -€[***] and Estimated Net Working Capital of -€[***] would for illustrative purposes be as follows:
| Shareholders | Seller’s Proportion | Initial
Purchase Price | IPP for
the Existing Shares | IPP for
the New Shares | Escrow | Payment
on Closing | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asabys | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Galchimia | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Darpaufarma | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Autiria | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Galicia Innova Tech | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Jaume Busquets Viñallonga | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL* | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | [***] | ||||||||||||||||||
* Calculation made on the basis of prior deduction of the proceeds payable to the Phantom Stock Option Plan beneficiaries in an aggregate amount of € [***].
The Parties however agree that these figures are indicative and for exemplary purposes and that the figures shall be recalculated with updated figures considering the Sellers’ Proportions or, as the case may be, the Updated Sellers’ Proportions, no later than [***] after the Condition Precedent Notice.
The Payment on Closing shall be paid by the Purchase to each Seller to the following bank accounts:
| Shareholders | Bank account | |
| Asabys | [***] | |
| Galchimia | [***] | |
| Darpaufarma | [***] | |
| Autiria | [***] | |
| Galicia Innova Tech | [***] | |
| Mr. Jaume Busquets Viñallonga | [***] |
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All costs, charges and any tax withholding, if any, related to the acquisition of the Shares shall be borne by the Purchaser.
| 4. | ADJUSTMENT OF THE INITIAL PURCHASE PRICE |
| 4.1. | Adjustment of the Initial Purchase Price |
| (a). | Net Working Capital Adjustment |
| (i). | If the Closing Net Working Capital exceeds (i.e. bigger positive number or a smaller negative number) the Estimated Net Working Capital, the Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers an additional amount equal to the excess of the Closing Net Working Capital over the Estimated Net Working Capital, as an increase of the Initial Purchase Price. |
| (ii). | If the Closing Net Working Capital is less than (i.e. a smaller positive number or a larger negative number) the Estimated Net Working Capital, the Sellers shall repay to the Purchaser an amount equal to the shortfall of the Closing Net Working Capital below the Estimated Net Working Capital, as a reduction of the Initial Purchase Price. |
| (b). | Net Cash/Debt Adjustment |
| (i). | If the Closing Net Cash/Debt exceeds (i.e. larger positive number or a smaller negative number) the Estimated Net Cash/Debt, the Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers an additional amount equal to the difference between the Closing Net Cash/Debt and the Estimated Net Cash/Debt, as an increase of the Initial Purchase Price. |
| (ii). | If the Closing Net Cash/Debt is less than (i.e. a smaller positive number or a bigger negative number) the Estimated Net Cash/Debt, the Sellers shall repay to the Purchaser an amount equal to the excess of the Closing Net Cash/Debt over the Estimated Net Cash/Debt, as a reduction of the Initial Purchase Price. |
| (c). | Adjustment of the Initial Purchase Price If payments need to be made by both the Purchaser and the Sellers pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) the amounts to be paid will be set-off against each other, the balance being payable by the Purchaser or the Sellers, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 4.3. |
| 4.2. | Closing Balance Sheet |
| (a). | [***] after the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall, for the purpose of establishing the Closing Net Cash/Debt and the Closing Net Working Capital, prepare a draft Closing Balance Sheet in accordance with Spanish GAAP in force at the Closing Balance Sheet Date and otherwise in accordance with the accounting policies and practices, and valuation rules adopted by the Company, applied on a basis consistent with the Company’s Annual Accounts for the two (2) preceding years, and shall submit this draft Closing Balance Sheet to the Sellers’ Representatives together with a statement setting out (i) the calculation of the Closing Net Cash/Debt and the Closing Net Working Capital as shown or derived from the Closing Balance Sheet; and (ii) the resulting calculation of the Initial Purchase Price in accordance with Section 4.1 (the “Purchase Price Statement”). |
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| (b). | Preparation of the Closing Balance Sheet: The Closing Balance Sheet shall be prepared by reference to the general ledger of the Company as at the Closing Balance Sheet Date and in accordance with those specific procedures that would normally be adopted at a financial year-end, including detailed analyses of accruals, provisions (bonus, holidays, extra salary), tax liabilities and other cut-off procedures. |
Any payment or disbursement by the Company between the Closing Balance Sheet Date and the Closing Date (where applicable) shall be made only to the extent the amount being paid is included in the Closing Balance Sheet. Any other payments or disbursements by the Company between the Closing Balance Sheet Date and the Closing Date (where applicable) shall be paid only following the express approval of the Purchaser.
All the items that are financial in nature shall reconcile with supporting information provided by lenders and borrowers (e.g. bank statements, loans agreements, etc.). In the case of discrepancy, information provided by a third party will take precedence over information included in the general ledger and an adjustment will be included.
The Closing Balance Sheet shall take into account information and events after the date the Closing Balance Sheet if they provide further evidence of conditions that existed at the date of the Closing Balance Sheet.
No item shall be excluded from, or included in, the preparation of the Financial Statements solely on the grounds of immateriality and no item shall be included more than once in the Closing Balance Sheet.
The Closing Balance Sheet shall be stated in Euros. Amounts in currencies other than Euros shall be translated into Euros at the closing mid-point rate on the Closing Date.
| (c). | The Sellers’ Representatives shall have [***] from the date on which such Closing Balance Sheet and Purchase Price Statement are delivered to assess such information (the “Review Period”). If the Sellers’ Representatives believe that the Closing Balance Sheet or the Purchase Price Statement were not prepared in accordance with Section 4.1 and Schedule 4.1, the Sellers’ Representatives may, on or prior to the last day of the Review Period, deliver a written notice to Purchaser setting forth, in reasonable detail, each disputed item and amount and the basis for Sellers’ Representatives’ disagreement therewith, together with supporting calculations (the “Notice of Objection”); provided that Sellers’ Representatives may dispute the calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital, the Closing Net Cash/Debt or the adjusted Initial Purchase Price only on the basis that such calculations were not made in accordance with Section 4.1 and Schedule 4.1 or on the basis of arithmetic error. |
| (d). | If the Sellers’ Representatives do not submit a Notice of Objection within the aforementioned period of [***], the Closing Balance Sheet and Purchase Price Statement shall be deemed to have been finally determined for the purposes of this Agreement. |
| (e). | If the Sellers’ Representatives submit a Notice of Objection within the aforementioned period of [***], the Sellers’ Representatives and the Purchaser shall make reasonable efforts to reach an agreement that puts to rest the Sellers’ Representative’s objections. |
| (f). | If the Sellers’ Representatives and the Purchaser fail to reach an agreement at the end of a period of [***] after receipt of the Notice of Objection, any points of disagreement shall be referred to an independent expert selected by mutual agreement out of the 10 largest audit firms by revenue in Spain at that moment (the “Expert”). The independent expert will only be deemed to be “independent” and, as such, may only be designated as the Expert if it has not provided services to the Sellers, the Purchaser, the Company or any of their Affiliates during the [***] preceding the Closing Date. In case the Parties do not reach an agreement on the entity to be appointed as Expert in [***] after the end of the period to reach an agreement on the Closing Balance Sheet and Purchase Price Statement, the Expert shall be appointed by lot out of the abovementioned 10 largest audit firms (only those that are deemed to be “independent” as per this paragraph). The Expert shall determine the Closing Balance Sheet and the Purchase Price Statement and, for this purpose, shall act on the following basis: |
| (i). | the Expert shall act as an expert, not an arbitrator; |
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| (ii). | The Expert’s terms of appointment shall be restricted to settling the matters in dispute between the Purchaser and the Sellers which are relevant to determine the Closing Balance Sheet, the Closing Net Cash/Debt, the Closing Net Working Capital and, as a result, the Purchase Price Statement; |
| (iii). | Unless the Sellers and the Purchaser agree otherwise, the Expert shall determine his own procedure and working methods; |
| (iv). | The Expert shall determine in writing (including reasons for each relevant determination) the Closing Balance Sheet, the Closing Net Cash/Debt and the Closing Net Working Capital no later than [***] from receipt of all necessary information from the Parties; within this period of [***], the Expert shall give the Parties a reasonable opportunity to submit written and oral comments, require the Parties to supply one another with copies of any written comments made, and allow each Party to be present during oral submissions by the other Party; |
| (v). | the Expert’s decision is, in the absence of fraud or manifest error, final and binding on the Parties; |
| (vi). | The Expert’s fees and expenses shall be paid by the Sellers (pro-rata to their corresponding Seller’s Proportions) and/or the Purchaser proportionally to the percentage of objections (determined in financial impact) raised in the Sellers’ Notice of Objection the Expert finds to be justified or not to be justified as follows: |
| (i). | if the Expert finds all objections (determined in financial impact) raised in the Sellers’ Notice of Objection to be justified, his fees and expenses shall be fully paid by the Purchaser; |
| (ii). | if the Expert finds a certain number of objections (determined in financial impact) raised in the Sellers’ Notice of Objection to be justified, the Expert will define the percentage of his fees and expenses in proportion to the percentage of objections (determined in financial impact) raised in the Sellers’ Notice of Objection, which shall be paid by the Purchaser, and the remaining percentage shall be paid by the Sellers; |
| (iii). | if the Expert finds none of the objections (determined in financial impact) raised in the Sellers’ Notice of Objection to be justified, his fees and expenses shall be fully paid by the Sellers. |
| (g). | The Parties shall provide one another, and if applicable, the Expert, with any information or assistance reasonably required or desirable to prepare or review the draft Closing Balance Sheet and determine the Closing Balance Sheet, the Closing Net Cash/Debt and the Closing Net Working Capital. |
| 4.3. | Payment |
Any adjustment to the Initial Purchase Price resulting from the calculation of the Closing Net Cash/Debt and the Closing Net Working Capital pursuant to Section 4.2, shall be paid by the respective Party within [***] from the final determination respectively of the Closing Net Cash/Debt and the Closing Net Working Capital in accordance with the Sellers’ Representatives or, as the case may be, the Purchaser’s written instructions.
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| 5. | EARN-OUT CONSIDERATION AND PAYMENT |
| 5.1. | Earn-Out Consideration |
| (a). | In addition to the Initial Purchase Price for the sale of the Shares by Sellers to Purchaser, the Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers an aggregate amount of up to EUR. 20,000,000 (the “Earn-Out Consideration”) upon the occurrence of the following Earn-Out Events: |
| (i). | EUR 10,000,000 shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers upon the first dosing of the first subject in the first Phase 2 Clinical Trial with the first Origo Product on or before 31 December 2030 (the “Earn-Out Event 1”); |
| (ii). | EUR 5,000,000 shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers upon the first dosing of the first subject in the first Phase 3 Clinical Trial with the first Origo Product on or before 31 December 2035 (the “Earn-Out Event 2”); |
| (iii). | EUR 5,000,000 shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers upon obtaining Regulatory Approval for the first Origo Product in the United States on or before 31 December 2040 (the “Earn-Out Event 3”). |
For the avoidance of doubt, upon the occurrence of the Earn-Out Event 2 prior to the occurrence of the Earn-Out Event 1, then the Earn-Out Event 1 shall be also considered as occurred and payable to the Sellers in the same terms as the Earn-Out 2 under this Section 5. Likewise, should the Earn-Out Event 3 occur prior to the occurrence of the Earn-Out Event 1 and the Earn-Out Event 2, then the Earn-Out Event 1 and the Earn-Out Event 2, as applicable, shall be also considered as occurred and payable to the Sellers in the same terms as the Earn-Out 3 under this Section 5. For clarification purposes, an Earn-Out Event shall be payable only once.
| (b). | In the event that: |
| (i). | a Change of Control of the Company or a Change of Control of the Purchaser occurs after the Closing Date but before the earliest of (x) [***] from Closing Date; or (y) an initial public offering of the shares (or certificates representing such shares) of the Purchaser on a public stock market; and |
| (ii). | Earn-Out Event 1 has not occurred yet at the time of such Change of Control, then the Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers the EUR [***] of Earn-Out Consideration due for Earn-Out Event 1 immediately, even though such Earn-Out Event 1 has not yet occurred. For clarity, no additional consideration shall be due upon the subsequent occurrence of Earn-Out Event 1. |
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| (c). | In the event that an Origo Product Disposal occurs after the Closing Date but before the earliest of (x) [***] from Closing Date; or (y) an initial public offering of the shares (or certificates representing such shares) of the Purchaser on a public stock market (the “Origo Product Disposal Deadline”), then the Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers an amount equal to [***] of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Purchaser for such Origo Product Disposal upon completion of such Origo Product Disposal, up to the amount of the total Earn-Out Consideration pending to be paid at the time of the Origo Product Disposal (or, if later, in the context of deferred disbursement of Net Cash Proceeds in the context of an option, at the time of such payment). The total amount of the Earn-Out Consideration shall be reduced by any amount paid by the Purchaser pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, proportionally to the Earn-Out Events. |
| (i). | For illustrative purposes, if the Net Cash Proceeds from an Origo Product Disposal amounted to EUR. [***], then the Purchaser would pay the Sellers an amount of EUR [***] ([***]% of EUR [***] and representing the [***]% of the total Earn-Out Consideration), and the payment due upon the subsequent occurrence of Earn-Out Events would be reduced by a [***]%, meaning that payment due upon Earn Out 1 would be reduced to EUR [***], payment due upon Earn-Out Event 2 would be reduced to EUR [***] and the payment due upon Earn-Out Event 3 would to EUR [***]. |
| (ii). | For the purposes of this Agreement “Net Cash Proceeds” means the aggregate cash or cash equivalents (including short-term bonds, treasury bills, marketable securities with lock-up or sale restriction periods of up to [***], etc.), received by the Purchaser upon completion of such Origo Product Disposal, net of (a) direct costs incurred in connection therewith (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions) and (b) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof. |
| (iii). | In case that the Origo Product Disposal refers to an option for the licensing or an option for an asset sale, the Net Cash Proceeds shall include the aggregate cash received by the Purchaser in consideration of (i) the price agreed for the corresponding option and (ii) any deferred disbursements payable under any such Origo Product Disposal, which shall become payable to the Sellers under the same terms as provided herein upon the effective payment from any such third party to Purchaser. |
| (iv). | For the avoidance of doubt, deferred disbursements shall include the option price (if any) and the option exercise price (if any), but not any further milestone payments (if any) or royalties (if any). |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the achievement of the Earn Out Events or the expiration of the term for the fulfilment of the Earn Out Event 3, the Purchaser may only transfer the shares of the Company and/or the assets of the Company, directly or indirectly, provided (i) the relevant transferee bears all obligations and undertakings of the Purchaser vis-à-vis the Sellers under Clause 5.4; and (ii) the Purchaser remains jointly and severally liable vis-à-vis the Sellers for the transferee’s compliance with such obligations and undertakings. For the avoidance of doubt, the restrictions provided in this paragraph will not be applicable in case of a takeover in the Purchaser once it is listed on a public stock market.
| 5.2. | Earn-Out Notice |
The Purchaser shall promptly notify the Sellers’ Representatives of the occurrence of any of the Earn-Out Events listed in Section 5.1(a), and in any case no later than [***] after its occurrence or when deemed to have occurred, the occurrence of the Change of Control of the Company or the Purchaser as set forth in Section 5.1(b) or the occurrence of an Origo Asset Disposal as set forth in Section 5.1(c) (each an “Earn-Out Notice”).
| 5.3. | Payment. Set-off |
| (a). | The Purchaser shall pay the relevant Earn-Out Consideration for the achievement of the relevant Earn-Out Event to the Sellers within [***] after the date of the relevant Earn-Out Notice. |
| (b). | Any amounts under the Earn Out Consideration shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers pro-rata to their corresponding Sellers’ Pro Rata Share, subject in any case to paragraph 5.3(c). However, the Sellers represent that the existing Investment and Shareholders’ Agreement entered into by the Company and the Sellers on [***] provides a “catch-up” provision in case the Purchase Price reaches an amount to be determined as of the Closing Date (“Catch-up Trigger Amount”), to be communicated by the Sellers’ Representatives on Closing. Therefore, if any Earn Out Consideration results in the Purchase Price being higher than the Catch-up Trigger Amount, the Sellers’ Representatives shall notify the Purchaser, within [***] from the relevant Earn-Out Notice, how the distribution of any amounts of the Purchaser Price over such Catch-up Trigger Amount shall be made between the Sellers. |
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| (c). | Any amounts under the Earn Out-Consideration shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers net of any Earn-Out Consideration to be made by the Company under the Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreements in relation to the Phantom Stock Options (as defined therein). As such, amounts to be paid by the Company under the Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreements in relation to the Phantom Stock Options shall be discounted from the amounts to be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers under the Earn Out-Consideration. |
| (d). | The Sellers accept that (i) any amount due by the Sellers to the Purchaser based on undisputed Claims under this Agreement may be set-off from the Earn-Out Consideration and that (ii) any amount due by the Sellers to the Purchaser based on disputed Claims under this Agreement may be retained from the Earn-Out Consideration until such Claim become undisputed, provided, in any case, that such Claims, set-off and retentions are carried out by the Purchaser in good faith, and not with the only aim of offsetting or retaining any amount of the Earn-Out Consideration. |
| 5.4. | Purchaser’s diligence obligations & Information rights |
| (a). | Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, Purchaser agrees to, and shall cause the Company to, use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to achieve the Earn-Out Events set forth in Section 5.1(a). |
| (b). | Purchaser shall keep and use Commercially Reasonable Efforts, and shall cause any Affiliates or third-parties, to [***]. Purchaser shall provide the Sellers’ Representatives with reasonably sufficient and detailed information regarding the [***]. However, if the Purchaser becomes a listed company the referred undertaking by the Purchaser to provide the Sellers’ Representatives with information shall no longer apply provided that the public quarterly information and reports, to which the Sellers will have access to, include the same information and degree of details as detailed herein and, considering the foregoing, should Purchaser need to continue providing specific information to Sellers, any such disclosure of information is conducted in compliance of the applicable market abuse regulation. Further, Sellers’ Representatives shall have the right, at its own expense, but not more than once in any [***], to deliver the Purchaser a written request on the status of the activities carried out regarding an [***], such right applying even if the Purchaser becomes a listed company. The Purchaser shall, within the following [***] from the information request delivered by the Sellers’ Representatives provide a reasonably detailed and complete reply to such request. If Purchaser does not comply with the information request of the Sellers’ Representatives, or the Sellers’ Representatives consider the information provided not to be sufficient for the purpose hereof, the Sellers’s Representatives and the Purchaser shall discuss in good faith towards an amicably resolution of the discrepancies. Should the Sellers’ Representatives and the Purchaser fail to amicably reach an understanding within [***], then each of them shall have the right to submit such dispute to Section 15.12. |
| 5.5. | General Payment terms |
| (a). | All payments under this Agreement shall be paid to the Parties (either to the Purchaser or to the Sellers), in accordance with this Agreement, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the applicable wire transfer instructions specified by the Sellers or notice provided to the other Party pursuant to Section 15.1. |
| (b). | All payments shall be paid in Euro (€). If any currency conversion is required in connection with any payment, such conversion shall be made in accordance with the official exchange rate published in the Wall Street Journal at 09:00 a.m. (New York time) on the date of payment. |
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| (c). | If a Party does not make any payment in due time, the non-defaulting Party shall send a notice to the defaulting Party claiming the pending payment and allowing a [***] cure period to settle the pending amount. Following such cure period without the full settlement of the outstanding amount, the amount of any such outstanding payment shall accrue simple interest at the Default Interest Rate beginning on the day after the applicable payment date, provided however, that in the event of a breach on the notification undertakings described herein (i.e. failure by the Purchaser to provide the Sellers’ Representatives with an Earn-Out Notice), Default Interest shall accrue from the first day after the end of the applicable notification period. The “Default Interest Rate” shall equal 8% per annum. Parties’ obligation to pay interest under and in accordance with this Section is without prejudice to any other rights and remedies available to the Parties under this Agreement in respect of Parties’ related failure or delay in the payment of the applicable payment when due. |
| 6. | CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
| 6.1. | Conditions precedent to the obligations of the Parties |
The sale and purchase of the Existing Shares and of the New Shares Rights (and consequently, the New Shares as per Section 2.4) and the obligation to proceed with Closing shall be subject to the fulfilment or waiver of the following conditions precedent (the “Conditions Precedent”):
| (a). | The Purchaser having obtained (i) the unconditional authorization by the Spanish Council of Ministers (Consejo de Ministros) for its foreign direct investment in the Company contemplated in article 7 bis of Law 19/2003, of July 4, on the regulation of foreign capital movements and economic transactions (the “FDI Authorisation”), or (ii) the confirmation by the Deputy General Directorate of Foreign Investments (“Subdireccion General de Inversiones Exteriores”) or any other competent public authority (the “FDI Authority”) that, after analysis by such public authority of the information provided by the Purchaser, such authorization by the Spanish Council of Ministers (Consejo de Ministros’) is not required (the “FDI Condition Precedent”). |
In this regard, the Parties acknowledge that the Purchaser filed an investment screening questionnaire with the FDI Authority in relation to the Transaction on 8 October 2021 and the Purchaser further represents that as of the date of this Agreement has not received confirmation by the FDI Authority on whether the FDI Authorisation is required. The Purchaser further undertakes that, if an official and clear response from the FDI Authority is not received by the Purchaser by 10 December 2021 stating that the Transaction shall not be subject to the FDI Authorisation (either because the FDI Authority does not reply at all, the reply received is not on terms that are official and clear or the reply expressly states that the FDI Authorisation is required) the Sellers and the Purchaser shall jointly consider in good faith and in the best interest of the Transaction whether it is best to submit the formal authorisation request to the FDI Authority or to wait until the FDI Authority replies on whether or not FDI Authorisation is required. In the event that by 20 December 2021 the Purchaser has yet not received an official and clear response from the FDI Authority as stated above nor the Parties have decided otherwise during the good faith discussions to be held from 10 December 2021, the Purchaser, at the Sellers’ request through the Sellers’ Representatives, undertakes to submit the formal authorisation request to the FDI Authority within the following [***].
| (b). | No Material Adverse Change having occurred between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date which continues to occur at the Closing Date. |
| (c). | There shall be no injunction, preliminary or permanent restraining order or any order or agreement of any nature with or issued by any Authority of competent jurisdiction or any applicable Law to the effect that the Transaction contemplated by this Agreement may not be consummated as provided in this Agreement. |
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Upon fulfilment or waiver, as the case may be, of the Conditions Precedent in the terms set forth in this Agreement, the sale and purchase of the Existing Shares and the New Shares Rights will be enforceable and, consequently, the Parties will be obliged to (a) formalize the Closing of the Transaction and perform all actions and execute all documents set forth in Section 8, including the transfer of the Existing Shares and the New Shares Rights and the payment of the Purchase Price in the terms set forth in this Agreement and (b) to formalize all actions required to ensure the effective transfer of the New Shares as per Section 2.4.
| 6.2. | Fulfilment of the conditions precedent |
| (a). | Each Party shall use its best efforts to cause the Conditions Precedent to be satisfied as soon as reasonably possible. The Sellers shall, and shall cause the Company to, provide the Purchaser with all necessary information at their disposal in sufficient time to enable the filings for approvals, communications, clearance applications and other requirements from the FDI Authority to be made accurately and promptly. |
| (b). | The Parties agree that all requests and enquiries from any Authority, court or other regulatory body shall be dealt with by the Purchaser who shall consult with the Sellers’ Representatives to the extent necessary, and the Sellers shall promptly cooperate with, and provide any information and assistance required by, such Authority, agency, court or regulatory body upon being requested to do so. |
| (c). | If the granting of the FDI Authorisation is subject to the fulfilment of formal requirements, the Parties undertake to accept and fully comply with them. In addition, should the FDI Authorisation be subject to other conditions, the Parties will negotiate in good faith the acceptance of any such conditions for the FDI Condition Precedent to be deemed as fulfilled. For the avoidance of any doubt, nothing in this section shall require Purchaser or any of its Affiliates to: |
| (i). | take any action which would result in a breach of any applicable Law, or any confidentiality restrictions to which Purchaser may be bound; or |
| (ii). | take any action which would significantly disrupt or negatively impact (i) the operation of their business in the ordinary course or (ii) the nature of the Transaction. |
| 6.3. | NOTIFICATION OF SATISFACTION OF CONDITIONS PRECEDENT - WAIVER |
| (a). | Without prejudice to Section 6.2, the Parties shall keep each other promptly informed of any progress towards the satisfaction of the Conditions Precedent referred to in Section 6.1(a) and shall notify the other Party immediately and not later than [***] after becoming aware of the satisfaction of such Condition Precedent and the satisfaction or waiver of Conditions Precedent under Section 6.1(b) and 6.1(c) (“Condition Precedent Notice”). |
| (b). | The Parties agree that the Purchaser may waive either in whole or in part at any time by notice in writing to the Sellers’ Representatives any of the Conditions Precedent that are capable of being waived. |
| 6.4. | Long Stop Date |
| (a). | If by [***] after Signing (the “Long Stop Date”) any of the Conditions Precedent is not satisfied or waived, as corresponding, then the Parties shall not be bound to proceed with the purchase and sale of the Existing Shares, the New Shares and the New Shares Rights and this Agreement, subject to Section 6.4(a) below, shall automatically terminate and cease to have effect. |
In relation to the above, if the Company experiences liquidity concerns before the Closing Date, the Sellers shall be entitled to secure sufficient and appropriate financing for the Company, including the granting of additional loans (including convertible loans) from the existing Shareholders or via bank loans or credit facilities, all under arm’s length conditions for the reasonable cash needs (the “Interim Financing”). If any such Interim Financing is put in place by the Sellers, then:
| (i). | the amounts lent to the Company (including any accrued interest) under the Interim Financing shall not be deducted from the Purchase Price; |
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| (ii). | the amounts (including any accrued interest) lent to the Company under the Interim Financing shall be, in the event of loans from the existing Shareholders, assumed by the Purchaser to be repaid by the Company within the first [***] after Closing; and |
| (iii). | any portion of the amounts lent to the Company under the Interim Financing not yet disbursed prior to the Closing Balance Sheet Date will not be accounted for the Closing Cash when calculating the Closing Net Cash/Debt and, to the extent legally possible, the Interim Financing will be terminated for the amounts not yet disbursed to the extent such early termination does not result in an early termination fee. |
In the case where the Interim Financing is in the form of additional convertible loans, such convertible loans shall contain terms that only allow for conversion in the event that Closing does not take place.
| (b). | If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.4(a), all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate except for Sections 1, 14, 15.1, 15.2, 15.11 and 15.12, which shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Such termination shall occur without any liability of any Party to the other Parties, except for any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities of the Parties that have accrued up to the date of termination, including the right to claim Losses in respect of any breach of this Agreement which existed at or before the date of termination. |
| 7. | PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS |
| 7.1. | Conduct of business |
| (a). | Until Closing, the Sellers shall ensure that the Company continues to operate in the ordinary course of business. |
| (b). | Until Closing, the Sellers shall cause the Company to refrain from any of the following, except as permitted under Section 7.1(c): |
| (i). | any new borrowings or the extension of loans to any other Person; |
| (ii). | Agreeing to any liability as a guarantor or granting any right or Encumbrance on any part of its assets; |
| (iii). | Instituting or settling any Litigation; |
| (iv). | The entering into any agreement, settlement or compromise with any Tax Authority, filing of any protest against or claim of refund of Taxes with any Tax Authority, changing any method of reporting income or deductions in connection with any Tax, or waiving or consenting to extend any statute of limitations for the payment or assessment of any Tax, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business or in compliance with applicable Laws; |
| (v). | the amendment of any Tax Return, or the approval to or implementation of any restructuring that might give rise to any Tax liability or result in any increase thereof unless such action is forced by mandatory Law; |
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| (vi). | The disposal or acquisition of any assets with a value of more than EUR [***]; |
| (vii). | The incurring of expenditure for an amount of more than EUR [***], except for the payment of expenses related to the conversion of the Convertible Loan and the settlement of the Phantom Stock Option Plan; |
| (viii). | The entering into, amendment or termination of any contract with an annual value of more than EUR [***] or a duration of more than [***] years; |
| (ix). | Dismissing or revoking or entering into any termination agreement with any of the Company’s Directors and Employees, except for cause, or entering into any new employment agreement with any individual; |
| (x). | the increase or decrease of the Company’s share capital or amending of its Articles of Association in any other manner; |
| (xi). | The relocation of its registered office; |
| (xii). | The liquidation, merger, de-merger or other restructuring of the Company; |
| (xiii). | The issuance of any shares representing capital, any securities that give their holder the right to acquire or subscribe to shares or which can be converted into shares, and any other type of securities; |
| (xiv). | The declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect to the Shares, or any other securities; |
| (xv). | The purchase, sale, transfer or disposal of, redemption or other acquisition, or creation of any Encumbrance on any Share or other securities of the Company; |
| (xvi). | The failure to renew any Permit necessary for the conduct of the Company’s business; |
| (xvii). | The granting, failure to renew or termination of any license to use any Intellectual Property Rights; |
| (xviii). | The abandonment or surrendering of any registered Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company, failure to pay any registration or renewal fees that fall due in respect of, or take any actions (including filing of new applications, responding to office actions, amendment of any patent applications) in respect of the prosecution of any applications for registered Intellectual Property Rights owned by it; |
| (xix). | The disclosure of the Know-How related to the Company’s business to any third party; |
| (xx). | Any filing, submission or correspondence with an Authority with respect to any Origo Product; |
| (xxi). | The entering into any agreements relating to the start, conduct or other operational aspects of Clinical Trials, including agreements relating to the manufacturing of study drug related supplies; |
| (xxii). | The start of any Clinical Trial or preclinical studies; and |
| (xxiii). | The assumption of any undertaking obliging it to do any of the foregoing. |
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| (c). | Section 7.1(b) shall not operate so as to prevent or restrict any matter or action: |
| (i). | required to be undertaken to comply with applicable Laws or any requirement imposed by any competent Authority; or |
| (ii). | Consented to in writing by the Purchaser; |
provided, in each case, that the Sellers’ Representatives or the Company shall notify the Purchaser as soon as reasonably practicable of any action taken or proposed to be taken as described in this Section 7.1(c), shall provide the Purchaser with all such information as the Purchaser may reasonably request and shall consult with the Purchaser with respect to any such action.
| (d). | Within [***] of receipt of any written request for consent by the Sellers’ Representatives or the Company, the Purchaser shall have the right to notify the Sellers’ Representatives or the Company that it objects to the proposed action. In the event that the Purchaser fails to notify the Sellers’ Representatives or the Company, as the case may be, of its objection to a proposed action within such period often [***], the Purchaser shall be deemed to have consented to such proposed action. |
The Purchaser and the Sellers agree that the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.1 are no greater than what is reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Purchaser as purchaser of the Shares and the Sellers further acknowledge that those restrictions will not prevent the Company from conducting its activities in the ordinary course of business until Closing.
| 7.2. | Settlement of the Phantom Stock Option Plan |
| (a). | The Company has executed a mutual release and termination agreement with each of the beneficiaries of the Phantom Stock Option Plan (the “Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreements”), which set out: (i) the payments to be made to the corresponding beneficiaries of the Phantom Stock Option Plan as a result of the Transaction; (ii) the price determination and the form of payment; and (iii) a mutual release mechanism for the obligations assumed by both the Company and each of the beneficiaries under the Phantom Stock Option Plan which shall thereafter be governed by the terms of the corresponding Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreement. |
The Parties acknowledge that the Initial ESOP Payments to the beneficiaries of the Phantom Stock Option Plan, as defined in the Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreements and outlined in Schedule 2.1B, have been taken into account for the calculation of the Initial Purchase Price.
The gross amounts due to the beneficiaries under the corresponding Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreements as a result of the potential achievement of the Earn Out Events shall be deducted from the Earn-Out Consideration and thus the relevant amount of the Earn-Out Consideration to be paid to the Sellers under this Agreement shall be reduced accordingly.
| 7.3. | Origo trademark coexistence agreement |
The Sellers shall use their best efforts to cause the Company to enter into a coexistence agreement with ORIGIO A/S that would entail that both trademarks (Company’s trademark application No. [***] and the one of ORIGIO A/S) can coexist provided that Origo’s trademark is limited to exclude the fertility-related product and services in which the proprietor of the earlier trademark is interested.
| 7.4. | USB DEPOSIT IN ESCROW |
Within [***] after the date hereof, [***] shall execute a public deed before a Spanish Public Notary, such date being the “USB Deposit Date”, by virtue of which the USB shall be deposited in escrow with such Notary. The deposit of the USB with such Notary shall not condition the election by the Purchaser of the Notary that will notarize completion of the Transaction on the Closing Date.
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| 7.5. | [***] Side Letter |
Within the earlier of (i) [***] after the date hereof or (ii) the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall deliver to [***] an executed version of the side letter attached hereto as Schedule 7.5 and [***] shall countersign the referred document immediately upon reception. Further to the drafting proposed in Schedule 7.5, the referred side letter will only be effective if and to the extent that Closing occurs and the Shares are transferred to the Purchaser.
| 8. | CLOSING |
| 8.1. | Closing date |
Once the relevant Party has served the Condition Precedent Notice, then the Purchaser shall send a notice to the Sellers’ Representatives specifying (i) the applicable Closing Date as per Clause 1.1, (ii) the Notary that will notarize completion of the Transaction on the Closing Date (the “Notary”) and (iii) the address of the Notary’s office.
| 8.2. | Closing actions |
At Closing, the Sellers and the Purchaser shall perform the following actions:
| (a). | Legal capacity. The Parties shall exhibit to the Notary powers of attorney or the relevant documentation evidencing the legal capacity of their respective representatives for the execution of the Shares Transfer Deed, and the rest of Closing actions contemplated by this Agreement including, where applicable, the certificate of the resolution of the General Shareholders’ Meeting approving the Transaction to the effects set forth in article 160F) of the Spanish Companies Act. |
| (b). | Capitalization of the Convertible Loan. The Sellers shall approve under a Shareholders Meeting the relevant share capital increase resolutions for the capitalization of the Convertible Loan into the New Shares and grant to public deed the corresponding certificate (the “Share Capital Increase Deed”) for immediate filing with the relevant Commercial Registry and subsequent registration thereto. |
| (c). | Transfer of title to the Shares. The Parties shall appear before the Notary, to grant the Shares Transfer Deed a public deed of sale and purchase of the Shares under which, inter alia, (a) the Parties shall notarise (“elevarán a público”) and ratify this Agreement, (b) the Purchaser and the Sellers shall acknowledge the satisfaction or waiver, as applicable, of the Conditions Precedent, and (c) subject to the New Shares limitations pending for registration before the Commercial Registry, the Sellers shall transfer ownership of the Shares to the Purchaser (the “Shares Transfer Deed”). |
| (d). | Ownership of the Shares. The Sellers shall procure that the secretary to the board of directors of the Company shall issue a certificate representing the share capital distribution of the Company and the ownership over the Shares at Closing. |
| (e). | Delivery of ownership titles. Each of the Sellers shall deliver to the Notary the original public deeds evidencing their respective title to the Shares, allowing the Notary to record the transfer in such deeds. |
| (f). | Updating the Shares’ Registry Book. The Sellers shall take all required actions in order for the secretary of the Company to record in the Shareholders’ Registry Book (“Libro Registro de Socios”) the transfer of the Shares in favour of the Purchaser. |
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| (g). | Delivery of Corporate Books. The Sellers shall procure that the secretary of the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser Shareholders’ Registry Book (“Libro Registro de Socios”), the minutes books and the corporate books duly updated and legalized. |
| (h). | Representations and Warranties. The Sellers shall deliver a certificate dated as of Closing Date certifying that (a) the Sellers’ Warranties contained in this Agreement continue to be true, complete and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date or such other date specified in the relevant Seller’s Warranty; and (b) each covenant and agreement of the Sellers to be performed on or prior to Closing Date has been duly performed in all respects. |
Likewise, the Purchaser shall deliver a certificate dated as of the Closing Date confirming that the Purchaser’s Warranties continue to be true, complete and correct as of the Closing Date.
| (i). | Payment of the Initial Purchase Price. The Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers the Initial Purchase Price, as described under Section 3.1 above. |
| (j). | Escrow Agreement: The Parties shall enter into the Escrow Agreement in the terms set forth in Clause 3.3 above and deposit the Escrow Amount in the terms set forth in the Escrow Agreement. |
| (k). | Directors’ resignation letters. The Sellers shall deliver to the Purchaser the resignation letters, duly signed and notarized, by means of which those directors of the Company, resign as directors of the Company with effects as from Closing Date, and state that their respective relations with the Company have been completely settled and paid off, and that there are no outstanding claims. |
Additionally, the Purchaser shall take all required actions in order for the Company to pass a shareholder resolution at Closing to accept the resignations mentioned above, appoint the relevant new directors replacing the resigning directors, approve the management of the Company by the resigning directors and undertake not to bring any action against each such resigning director for any past action, provided that such waiver shall not condition or impede any claim by the Purchaser vis-a-vis the Sellers in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
| (l). | Directors’ release. The Purchaser shall deliver to the Sellers and to each of the directors of the Company a letter addressed to each director of the Company whereby the Purchaser waives any actions, and undertake not to make, and to procure that the Company waive any actions and do not make, any claim against any director of the Company in connection with their acts or omissions as directors of the Company in the period prior to Closing Date. |
| (m). | Employment Agreements. The Sellers shall deliver to the Purchaser the fully executed novation of the employment agreements for the employees agreed between the Parties before the Closing Date. |
The performance of each action that the Parties are required to take at Closing shall take place simultaneously (unidad de acto) and shall not be effective until all of them have been completed.
If the Transaction is not completed at the agreed place and on the Closing Date due to a Party’s failure to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, the Parties agree that they will proceed to effect the Closing in so far as reasonably practicable and, in any case, without prejudice to their rights under this Agreement, and the defaulting Party shall not be released from its obligations hereunder.
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| 9. | POST-CLOSING COVENANTS |
| 9.1. | Phantom Stock Option Plan |
Phantom Stock Option Plan payment. The Purchaser shall cause the Company to pay to the corresponding beneficiaries under the Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreement, the Initial ESOP Payment (as defined therein).
| 9.2. | Non-Competition |
| (a). | Sellers, other than [***] and [***] undertake vis-à-vis the Purchaser and the Company that they will not, and shall procure that none of their respective Affiliates shall, during a [***]starting on the Closing Date, directly or indirectly, alone or jointly with or on behalf of any other Person, and without written consent of Purchaser: |
| (i). | carry on, be engaged in or be economically interested in (whether directly or indirectly) the Restricted Business in any Restricted Territory; |
| (ii). | in competition with the business of the Company as now carried on, canvass or solicit any Person who has within [***] prior to the Closing Date been a business relation of the Company. |
As for the Seller Darpaufarma, Restricted Business shall deem to include any [***], with the exceptions of the programs already in progress at [***] ([***]), [***] ([***]) and [***] ([***]).
| (b). | Nothing in Section 9.2 shall prevent or restrict the Sellers and their respective Affiliates from: |
| (i). | Holding an interest of up to five (5) per cent of the outstanding issued share capital of a company listed on any recognised stock exchange; |
| (ii). | fulfilling any obligation pursuant to this Agreement. |
| (iii). | As for the [***], the non-compete undertakings contained herein shall not limit its ability to provide chemical synthesis services to Third Parties, provided however, that any such services do not reproduce, include or embody of Origo’s Products chemical structures. |
| 9.3. | Non-Solicitation |
The Sellers undertake vis-à-vis the Purchaser and the Company that they will not, and shall procure that none of their respective Affiliates shall, during a [***] starting on the Closing Date, directly or indirectly, alone or jointly with or on behalf of any other Person, without written consent of Purchaser, hire or induce or seek to induce any employee to resign from his position with a view to being engaged or employed by the Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates.
For the exclusive purposes of this Section 9.3 and expressly with regard to [***]and [***], the reference to Affiliates shall not include any entities that may otherwise be considered an Affiliate to a Seller under the general definition of Affiliate provided under this Agreement solely as a result of possessing the power to veto Affiliates’ decisions by contract relating to voting rights or corporate governance.
Without prejudice of the foregoing, [***], nor any Affiliate (for as long as [***] owns at least [***]% of the shares of such Affiliate) shall be captured by the above exception and, for this reason, will be subject to the non-solicitation undertaking during a [***] period starting on the Closing Date as per the preceding paragraph.
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| 10. | SELLERS’ WARRANTIES |
| 10.1. | Each of the Sellers warrant to the Purchaser that, except as Disclosed, each of the representations and warranties given by the Sellers in Schedule 10 (the “Sellers’ Warranties”) is true, accurate and not misleading as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true, accurate and not misleading as of the Closing Date, as if they had been repeated on the Closing Date. Any reference made to “the date of this Agreement” or “the date hereof” (whether express or implied) in relation to any Sellers’ Warranty shall be construed, in connection with the repetition of the Sellers’ Warranties, as a reference to the Closing Date. |
| 10.2. | The Sellers’ Warranties set forth in Section 1 of Schedule 10 are made by each Seller only in respect of its particular circumstances and in respect of the particular Shares that it sells. Consequently, any Losses payable under this Agreement in respect of the aforementioned Sellers’ Warranties may be only claimed against the particular Seller affected by the matter or circumstance giving rise to the Losses payment. |
| 10.3. | The Sellers acknowledge that the Purchaser is entering into this Agreement on the basis of the Sellers’ Warranties and that the Sellers’ Warranties constitute an essential and fundamental condition for the Purchaser to agree to acquire the Shares. |
| 10.4. | If at any time during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date the Sellers become aware that a Sellers’ Warranty has been breached, is untrue or is misleading, or have a reasonable expectation that any of such thing might occur (due to facts or events deriving from the ordinary course of business or for any other reason), they shall promptly: |
| (a). | notify the Purchaser of the relevant occurrence in sufficient detail to enable the Purchaser to make an accurate assessment of the situation; and |
| (b). | take such action as the Purchaser may reasonably require to prevent or remedy the notified occurrence. |
Any such notification shall not constitute a disclosure for the purposes of this Section 10 and the Sellers’ Warranties shall not be qualified by such notification. Accordingly, provided that Closing takes place, the Purchaser may make a Claim for Breach of Warranties in relation to any matter notified pursuant to this Section notwithstanding such notification and the dies a quo for the Purchaser to make the relevant Claim in respect of that breach shall be the Closing Date.
Notwithstanding the indemnification right of the Purchaser in accordance with the above, the Sellers’ Warranties that are deemed repeated at and as of the Closing Date, shall be subject to any qualification or amendment due to facts or events deriving from the ordinary course of business occurring between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, as may be pertinent to make them true as of the Closing Date. The impact of such qualifications in the Purchase Price shall be agreed between the Purchaser and the Sellers’ Representative in good faith, provided that any such qualification that results in a Loss as agreed by the Parties will lead to a reduction of the Purchase Price on a euro-per-euro basis.
| 10.5. | Each of the Sellers’ Warranties is separate and, unless otherwise specifically provided, is not limited by reference to any other Sellers’ Warranty or any other provision in this Agreement. |
| 10.6. | Except for the matters Disclosed, no information of which the Purchaser, their agents or advisers has knowledge (in each case whether actual, constructive or imputed), or which could have been discovered (whether by investigation made by the Purchaser or on their behalf), shall prejudice or prevent any Claim or reduce the amount recoverable under any Claim. |
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| 10.7. | The liability of the Sellers for any Claims under the Sellers’ Warranties and/or the Specific Indemnities, other than the Sellers’ Warranties set forth in Section 1 of Schedule 10, shall be joint and the Sellers shall be jointly liable (responsabilidad mancomunaday)) and not jointly and severally liable (responsabilidad solidaria) subject to their respective Sellers’ Proportion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, [***], [***], [***]and [***] (the “Majority Shareholders”) will remain jointly and severally liable (responsabies solidarios) with [***]and [***] (the “Minority Shareholders”) and will indemnify the Purchaser on a pro-rata basis considering their corresponding Seller’s Proportions in case that the Minority Shareholders fail to indemnify the Purchaser, for any Claims under the Sellers’ Warranties and/or the Specific Indemnities. The foregoing shall not affect the relevant right of recourse (derecho de repetición) of the Majority Shareholders against the Minority Shareholders. |
| 10.8. | The Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that the Sellers’ Warranties have an objective nature (naturaleza objetiva) and, if any Sellers’ Warranty is breached or proves to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading for any reason whatsoever as of Closing Date, this circumstance shall be considered a breach of this Agreement and shall give rise to the Sellers’ liability under this Agreement, subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein. |
| 11. | PURCHASER’S WARRANTIES |
The Purchaser warrants that each of the representations and warranties given by the Purchaser in Schedule 11 (the “Purchaser’s Warranties”) are true, accurate and not misleading as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true, accurate and not misleading as of the as of the Closing Date. Any reference made to “the date of this Agreement” or “the date hereof” (whether express or implied) in relation to any Purchaser’s Warranty shall be construed, in connection with the repetition of the Purchaser’s Warranties, as a reference to the Closing Date.
The Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that the Purchaser’s Warranties have an objective nature (naturaleza objetiva) and if any Purchaser’s Warranty is breached or proves to be untrue for any reason whatsoever as of the date of this Agreement and/or as at the Closing Date, this circumstance shall be considered a breach of this Agreement.
| 12. | COMPENSATION BY THE SELLER’ |
| 12.1. | General principles |
| (a). | Subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and qualifications set forth in this Agreement, the Sellers shall be liable to the Purchaser: |
| (i). | in the event of a breach of any of the Sellers’ obligations under this Agreement, in which case, only the non-compliant or the Seller in breach shall be liable and hold the Purchaser harmless; |
| (ii). | under the Sellers’ Warranties in connection with matters giving rise to one or more of the Sellers’ Warranties being untrue, inaccurate or misleading (a “Breach of Warranties”) in accordance with Section 10; and/or |
| (iii). | under matters covered by the Specific Indemnities in accordance with Section 12.4 and Section 10 (the “Specific Indemnities”); |
in which case the breaching Seller or Sellers shall indemnify the Purchaser against any Losses caused to the Purchaser or the Company as a consequence of such breach under the terms of this Agreement.
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| (b). | In the event of a Breach of Warranties, the Purchaser shall submit to the Sellers a Notice of Claim in accordance with Section (k). |
| (c). | If the event, matter or circumstances can give rise to a Claim under several of the Sellers’ Warranties, the Purchaser shall only be entitled to indemnification once. |
| (d). | Any Loss incurred by the Company shall be deemed to be incurred by the Purchaser in the same amount, and cannot be paid twice to the Purchaser and the Company. |
| (e). | The following items shall be taken into account and applied in order to determine the amount of the Loss: |
| (i). | the amount of any reserve or provision included in the Annual Accounts shall be deducted to the extent it relates to the matter which gave rise to the Loss; |
| (ii). | the amount of any insurance pay-out (net of any increase of insurance premium with respect thereto) paid to, or recovered by, the Company or the Purchaser with respect to the matter which gave rise to such Loss shall be deducted; |
| (iii). | the Loss is calculated on a net-of-tax basis and by taking into account any Tax deduction or benefit that results in effective Tax savings in the fiscal year in which the Loss was accounted for (but excluding any increase of carried forward losses); and |
| (iv). | any Taxes due by the Purchaser or the Company in relation to the indemnification of such Loss in accordance with this Section 12 shall be added. |
| (f). | Any Compensation paid by the Sellers to the Purchaser under this Agreement shall be treated as a reduction of the Purchase Price. |
| (g). | The Sellers shall have no obligation to pay any Compensation if and to the extent that: |
| (i). | the subject matter of the Claim results from an amendment to applicable Laws or regulations that enters into effect after the date of this Agreement, regardless of whether the change has retroactive effect, or a new interpretation of an existing Law by an Authority in a decision published after the date of this Agreement; or |
| (ii). | the subject matter of the Claim would not have arisen had it not been for a negligent action or omission on the Purchaser’s part or, after the Closing Date, on the Company’s part. |
| (h). | Furthermore, the following principles shall apply: |
| (i). | No liability shall attach to the Sellers in respect of any matter that is capable of remedy except to the extent that the relevant matter remains not remedied after the expiry of [***] following receipt by the Sellers of the Purchaser’s Claim. The Purchaser agrees to use all reasonable endeavours to assist and to procure the assistance of the Company in remedying the relevant matter at the reasonable cost of the Sellers; |
| (ii). | No Compensation shall be due or payable by the Sellers in respect of any Third-Party Claim if the Purchaser or the Company has entered into a settlement in respect of that Third-Party Claim without the Sellers’ prior written consent in accordance with Section 12.3; |
| (iii). | The liability of the Sellers in respect of any Claim shall only arise in the event that the Loss referenced in the Claim is a Loss suffered by the Purchaser or by the Company; and |
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| (iv). | Compensation shall only be due or payable by the Sellers in respect of a contingent liability if and to the extent that the underlying liability becomes an actual liability and is due and payable (without prejudice to the right of the Purchaser to send a Notice of Claim in respect of a contingent liability within the time limits specified in Section 12.5). |
| (i). | None of the limitations mentioned in this Section 12 shall apply with respect to a Sellers’ Warranty in the event of fraud or willful concealment by the Sellers in relation to such Sellers’ Warranty rendering it untrue, inaccurate or misleading. |
| (j). | The Parties agree that the existence of the VDR or the fact that certain data, information or documents were contained in the VDR. or made available to the Purchaser within the Due Diligence Process or otherwise, shall not limit or restrict the Sellers’ liability under the Sellers’ Warranties, except to the extent that the relevant matter causing the breach of the Sellers’ Warranties is or has been Disclosed (as defined in Clause 1.1) to the Purchaser. |
| (k). | The Parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement and to complete the Transaction on the terms set forth herein and on the basis that the sole and exclusive remedy of the Purchaser exclusively in respect of a breach of a Sellers’ Warranty and/or Specific Indemnity shall be the right to be indemnified by the Sellers under the Sellers’ Warranties and Specific Indemnities pursuant and subject to the provisions set forth in this Agreement. Subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and qualifications set forth in this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions set forth in this Clause 12.1 replace and fully exclude the right of the Purchaser to (i) claim against the Sellers for any invalid consent (vicio del consentimiento) or warranty hidden defects clearance (saneamiento por vicios ocultos) in respect of the Sellers’ Warranties or the Purchaser’s decision to enter into this Agreement, other than a Loss indemnification, (ii) seek a Purchase Price adjustment, (iii) challenge the validity of the limitations of liability set forth in this Agreement, and (iv) make any claim in connection with this Agreement against the resigning directors of the Company, unless otherwise foreseen as per the terms, conditions, limitations and qualifications set forth in this Agreement. |
| (l). | Furthermore, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the rights and remedies contemplated in this Agreement in regard to the Sellers’ liability shall prevail in case of conflict between them and the provisions addressing liability of a Seller with respect to obligations under purchase and sale or other agreements set forth in the Spanish Civil Code, in the Commercial Code or in any other law in any applicable jurisdiction, to the extent permitted by applicable law and only in cases not. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not be applicable in any case in the event of dispossession (evicción), fraud or wilful misconduct (dolo), in which case the Purchaser reserves its right to any other remedies and defences available to it under Spanish Law. In particular, in the event of the Purchaser being legally dispossessed of the Shares (evicción), the Sellers will be liable vis-à-vis the Purchaser in the manner foreseen in the Spanish Civil Code, although (i) a judgement handed down at any instance will be sufficient to deem that an event of dispossession has occurred and (ii) if the dispossession has occurred, the Purchaser will in any case be entitled to demand from the Sellers the reimbursement of the Purchase Price paid for the Shares even if at the time of the eviction their value were lower, together with any losses and damages caused to the Purchaser. |
| (m). | Nothing in this Section 12.1 shall have the effect of limiting or restricting any liability of the Sellers with respect of claims arising as a result of any bribery, fraud, wilful misconduct, intentional misrepresentation, bad faith or gross negligence. |
| 12.2. | Claims procedure |
| (a). | The Purchaser shall send a notice (the “Notice of Claim”) to the Sellers within the time limits set out under Section 12.5. The Notice of Claim shall include a reasonable explanation of the legal and factual basis on which the Claim is based (including, where the Claim arises from a Third-Party Claim, evidence of such Third-Party Claim) and, to the extent practicable, specify the Purchaser’s estimate of the likely amount of Compensation, taking into account the principles set forth in this article. For the avoidance of doubt, a Notice of Claim must also be sent in case the amount of Loss resulting from the breach exceeds the individual threshold mentioned in Section 12.5(b)(iii) but does not yet exceed the aggregate threshold set out in Section 12.5(b)(ii). |
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| (b). | If the Sellers object to the Claim, the Sellers’ Representatives shall notify the Purchaser in writing of such objection within [***] of receipt of the Notice of Claim and specify in reasonable detail the reason(s) of their objection in such objection notice. If the Sellers’ Representatives does not give notice of any objections within such [***] period, the Sellers shall be deemed to have accepted the Claim. In the event the Sellers object to the Claim, the Sellers and Purchaser shall attempt in good faith to reach an agreement with respect to the validity of the Claim and amount of Compensation and if no such mutual agreement can be reached within [***] of receipt of the notice of objection, the Purchaser shall be entitled to initiate proceedings before the competent arbitral tribunal in accordance with Section 15.12. |
| (c). | Any amounts due by the Sellers pursuant to this Section 12 shall be paid to the Purchaser or the Company from the Escrow Account under the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement, without prejudice to the right of the Purchaser to obtain indemnification from the Sellers should the amounts due exceed the outstanding amount of the Escrow Account. |
| 12.3. | Defence to Third-party Claims |
In the event of a Notice of Claim actually served by any third party against the Purchaser or the Company in connection with a specific issue that, if eventually prevailing, would give rise to the Sellers’ liability (the “Third Party Claim”), the Purchaser shall give the relevant Notice of Claim in respect of such Third Party Claim to the Sellers’ Representatives as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any case, within the first half of the term available to contest to the Third Party Claim.
The Sellers’ Representatives shall, by notice in writing to the Purchaser as soon as practicable and in any event within the maximum term of [***] as from the receipt of the Notice of Claim (or, if earlier, prior to the expiration of the second third of the term available to contest to the Third Party Claim), accept or reject the Sellers liability (whether actual or potential on the basis of the eventual outcome of the Third Party Claim) in relation to such Third Party Claim. Failure by the Sellers to notify their position with respect to the Third Party Claim within the before mentioned term shall be understood as a total rejection of its liability with respect to the Third Party Claim.
The Parties agree that the following provisions shall apply in respect of the Sellers’ position with respect to the Third Party Claim:
| (i). | if the Sellers Representatives rejects Sellers’ liability with respect to the Third Party Claim (expressly or by not sending a notice of response to the Purchaser within the period referenced above), the Purchaser may submit the dispute to the procedure set forth in Section 15.12 and shall retain full control of the Third Party Claim as it deems fit, in good faith, with the due diligence of an orderly businessman and without the Sellers being able to allege in the dispute resolution proceedings that the Purchaser’s conduct of the Third Party Claim should in any way diminish the amount of any damages awarded to the Purchaser pursuant to the dispute resolution. |
| (ii). | if the Sellers’ Representatives accept that the Third Party Claim may give rise to an actual liability of the Sellers under this Agreement, Sellers, by instruction of Sellers’ Representatives, shall pay the Losses in respect thereto as provided in this Section or, when applicable, the relevant amount will be deducted from the outstanding limit to the Sellers’ liability set forth in Section 12.5(b), and the Purchaser shall deem the Third Party Claim as settled vis a vis the Seller for the amount of the Damages actually received by the Purchaser. |
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| (iii). | if the Sellers Representatives accepts that the Third Party Claim may give rise to potential liability of the Sellers, on the basis of the eventual outcome of the Third Party Claim, the Sellers Representatives shall, subject to paragraph (iv) below, be entitled, at their sole discretion, to assume control of the defence of the Third Party Claim. The following rules shall apply in respect of the defence of the Third Party Claim: |
| - | if the Sellers assume control of the defence of the Third Party Claim: |
| (a) | the Purchaser shall allow the Sellers to take over the conduct of all proceedings and/or negotiations of whatsoever nature arising in connection with any such Third Party Claim, granting or causing the Company to grant a power of attorney in the appropriate form to the legal counsel and attorneys at court (procuradores) designated by the Sellers for the purpose of dealing with the Third Party Claim; |
| (b) | the defence legal fees, costs and expenses, including those related to guarantees, deposits, bonds, bank endorsements, and advance payments, shall be borne exclusively by the Sellers and should the Company not become subject to any liability under any such Third Party Claim, the Company shall reimburse the Sellers for any such reasonable amounts. |
Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the Third Party Claim relates to a client of the Company or any of its Affiliates, the Sellers shall have the right to defend such Third Party Claim, provided however that the Sellers and the Purchaser agree in good faith and to the extent reasonably possible, the strategy for the defence and the essential actions to carry out such strategy.
| (c) | the Sellers shall conduct the defence in good faith, with the due diligence of an orderly businessman and with a view to minimize the Purchaser or, as applicable, the Company liability in respect of the Third Party Claim, shall be assisted by reputable counsel if reasonably required under the circumstances and, in general, shall take all reasonable measures for an adequate defence against the Third Party Claim; |
| (d) | the Sellers shall refrain from compromising, settling or waiving any appeal or redress against the Third Party Claim without (a) written authorization by the Purchaser and, (b) simultaneously with the assumption of liability, agreement or settlement, making available to the Purchaser or the Company, the funds which the latter must pay to the third party as a result of the assumption, agreement or settlement; |
| (e) | the Purchaser shall provide or shall cause the Company to provide such information and assistance as the Sellers may reasonably require (provided such assistance does not compromise the ordinary course of business of the Company) in connection with the preparation for and conduct of any proceedings and/or negotiations relating to that Third Party Claim. In particular (but without limitation to the foregoing), the Purchaser shall provide to the Sellers or shall cause the Company to provide to the Sellers all documents, records and other materials in the possession of the Purchaser or the Company required by the Sellers for their use in defending the Third Party Claim as well as access to any employees, representatives, auditors or service providers of the Purchaser or the Company whose assistance, testimony or presence is necessary to assist the Sellers in evaluating and defending the Third Party Claim and, in general, shall reasonably co-operate with the Sellers in the defence of such Third Party Claim; |
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| (f) | the Sellers shall maintain the Purchaser duly and timely informed as to all acts, formalities and documents involved in the proceedings; |
| (g) | if upon conclusion of the proceedings relating to the Third Party Claim the Sellers finally become obliged to indemnify the Purchaser under the terms of this Agreement and provided that the Sellers have not already paid the Losses to the Purchaser, the Sellers shall pay the Damages in respect thereto or, when applicable, the relevant amount will be deducted from the outstanding limit to the Sellers’ liability set forth in Section 12.5(b). In the event that the resolution of a Third Party Claim imposes such third party to assume defence costs assumed by the Company in such claim, those costs shall be reimbursed in full to the Sellers. |
| - | if the Sellers do not assume control of the defense of the Third Party Claim (either by Sellers’ Representatives notifying so to the Purchaser or in the event the Sellers’ Representatives reject Sellers’ liability with respect to the Third Party Claim expressly or by not sending a notice of response to the Purchaser): |
| (a) | the Purchaser shall conduct or, as applicable, shall cause the Company affected by the Third Party Claim to conduct the defence in good faith and in the manner it considers more appropriate, including but not limited to a court-mediated or out-of-court settlement, or concession; |
| (b) | the Purchaser shall maintain the Sellers duly and timely informed as to all acts, formalities and documents involved in the proceedings; |
| (c) | when a final and non-appealable judgement, decision or award is issued by the relevant court, arbitrators or administrative body, and as a result of such judgement, decision or award, the Purchaser and/or the Company may be forced to make a payment, or a settlement is reached, in relation to any Third Party Claim, then the Sellers shall pay to the Purchaser and/or the Company, as determined by the Purchaser, the amount of Losses arising from such judgement, decision or award; |
| (d) | if upon conclusion of the proceedings relating to the Third Party Claim the Sellers finally become obliged to indemnify the Purchaser under the terms of this Agreement, the Sellers shall pay the Losses incurred by the Purchaser or the Company in the defence against the Third Party Claim or, when applicable, the relevant amount will be deducted from the outstanding limit to the Sellers’ liability set forth in Section 12.5(b). |
| 12.4. | Specific Indemnities |
Notwithstanding any disclosure in connection therewith or any knowledge of the Purchaser or any of its employees, directors, consultants or advisers, the Sellers shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Purchaser or, if the Purchaser so chooses, the Company, on a euro-for-euro basis, in case that any Losses resulting from:
| (i). | any finding by the Commercial Registry of any defect that cannot be remedied in the registration of the Share Capital Increase Deed or (ii) the fact that after a period of [***] as from the Closing Date, the Share Capital Increase Deed is not yet fully registered with the relevant Commercial Registry (for the avoidance of doubt, such Losses shall include reasonable fees and expenses of legal advisors involved, and no limitation to liability would apply to Specific Indemnities); and (ii) the reimbursement of the grant granted by the Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (“Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial”) in the framework of the program “Proyectos empresariales de empresas innovadoras (Programa NEOTEC)” of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, on 20 December 2019, in case that such reimbursement is requested to the Company pursuant to the non-compliance prior to Closing of the certification criteria under such grant, together with any related penalties, costs, fees and interests derived from such reimbursement. |
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(the “Specific Indemnities”).
In relation to (i) above, if the Share Capital Increase Deed is not fully registered within the abovementioned term, the Purchaser shall be entitled to acquire the Shareholders’ Loans or the Purchaser shall cause the Company to repay the Shareholders’ Loans.
| 12.5. | Limitations on the Sellers’ liability |
| (a). | Limitations in time |
The Purchaser shall only be entitled to claim Compensation for a Breach of Warranties:
| (i). | in respect of a breach of the Environmental, Labour and Tax Warranties, if the Notice of Claim is sent to the Sellers within a period of [***] after expiry of the applicable statute of limitations (plazo de prescripción legal); |
| (ii). | in respect of a breach of any of the Sellers’ Warranties set out in Schedule 10 not mentioned under (i) above, if the Notice of Claim is sent to the Sellers before the last to occur (i) [***] from the Closing Date and (ii) 31st of July 2023. |
Compensation for a Breach of the Fundamental Warranties shall not be limited in time.
The limitations provided in this Section 12.5 shall not affect any Claim if a valid Notice of Claim thereof has been given to the Sellers within the applicable time limit, regardless of the fact that the amount of the potential Loss is not precisely known or determined at that time.
| (b). | Limitations on the amount of Compensation |
| (i). | Maximum Compensation |
The Sellers’ total liability for all Breaches of Warranties other than the Fundamental Warranties shall not exceed 50% (fifty percent) of the effectively paid Purchase Price at the occurrence of any such Loss and as adjusted in accordance with Section 4 after Closing. In respect of the Fundamental Warranties, the Sellers’ total liability shall not exceed the Purchase Price as adjusted in accordance with Section 4 after Closing.
| (ii). | Aggregate threshold |
The Purchaser shall not be entitled to any Compensation for a Breach of Warranties other than Fundamental Warranties unless the aggregate amount of Losses resulting from one or more Breaches of Warranties other than Fundamental Warranties that meet the threshold set out under (iii) below exceeds EUR. [***] ([***] euros), it being understood that, subject to the other provisions of this Section 12.5, the entire amount of Losses shall be recoverable from the Sellers if the aggregate amount of Losses resulting from one or more breaches exceeds this aggregate threshold.
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| (iii). | Individual threshold |
The Purchaser shall not be entitled to any Compensation for a Breach of Warranties other than Fundamental Warranties unless the amount of Loss resulting from the breach exceeds EUR [***] ([***] euros), it being understood that, subject to the other provisions of this Section 12.5, the entire amount of Losses shall be recoverable from the Seller if the amount of Loss resulting from the breach exceeds this threshold. Claims arising from substantially identical facts, matters or circumstances, or based on similar legal grounds and occurring in a close factual and chronological context shall be aggregated for the purposes of this Section 12.5(b)(iii).
| (c). | Exclusions |
The limitations on time and amounts set forth in this clause shall in no event apply in the event of (a) an eviction (“eviction”) of any of the Shares; and (b) the Specific Indemnities.
| 13. | COMPENSATION BY THE PURCHASER |
| (a). | The Purchaser shall indemnify and hold the Sellers harmless for any Loss suffered or incurred by the Sellers as a result of (i) any of the Purchaser’s Warranties being untrue, inaccurate or misleading or (ii) a breach of any of the Purchaser’s obligations under this Agreement (a “Purchaser’s Breach”). |
| (b). | In the event of a Purchaser’s Breach, the Seller shall submit to the Purchaser a claim. |
| (c). | The Purchaser shall pay the Sellers the amount of compensation agreed in writing by the Parties or, failing such agreement, finally determined by the competent arbitral tribunal in accordance with Section 15.12 hereof, further to an application by a Party. |
| 14. | CONFIDENTIALITY - ANNOUNCEMENTS |
| (a). | Each Party shall treat as strictly confidential and not disclose to any third party or otherwise make publicly available or use for any purpose other than the Transaction any information (in the broadest sense) relating to the negotiations for the Transaction or the Transaction itself. |
| (b). | For a period of time of [***] years following the Closing Date, the Sellers shall treat as strictly confidential and not disclose or use any information relating to the Company and any other information relating to the business, financial or other affairs (including future plans and targets) of the Purchaser or its Affiliates. |
| (c). | Nothing in this Section 14 shall prohibit disclosure or use of any information if and to the extent that: |
| (i). | such disclosure or use of information is agreed in writing by the Parties; |
| (ii). | the disclosure or use is required for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this Agreement or any judicial or arbitration proceedings arising out of this Agreement; |
| (iii). | such disclosure or use of any information is required by applicable Law or stock exchange rules or by any Authority but, in that case, as far as reasonably possible, only after consultation with the other Party as to the timing and content of the disclosure; |
| (iv). | such information is disclosed to their professional advisers bound by a duty of confidentiality, on a strict need-to-know basis and only to the extent necessary for any lawful purpose; |
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| (v). | such information is disclosed on a strictly confidential basis to (i) the directors, officers, employees or consultants of the receiving Party or its Affiliates (the “Representatives”) who are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as stringent as those set out in this Agreement, on a strict need-to-know basis and only to the extent necessary for any lawful purpose or (ii) in the case of the Purchaser, to a third party for the purposes of securing, arranging or seeking to secure or arrange financing in relation to the Transaction or in relation to the Company’s business activities; or |
| (vi). | such information has come into the public domain through no fault of the receiving Party. |
| (d). | The Purchaser and the Sellers shall each cause their respective Representatives to comply with the obligations set out in this Section 14. |
| (e). | Upon Signing date, the Parties shall issue a joint press release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 14(e). Further, during the interim period between the execution of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Parties shall engage in good faith conversations towards the drafting of a second joint press release, to be communicated mainly to Spanish nationwide and local media and mainly focused on Seller’s perspective. |
| 15. | MISCELLANEOUS |
| 15.1. | Notices |
| (a). | Any notices or other communications to be made under or in connection with this Agreement must be in writing and shall be validly notified to a Party if: |
| (i). | delivered by hand (with a written acknowledgement of receipt) to the relevant person indicated below; |
| (ii). | sent by email to the email address set out below, confirmed by a notice sent on the [***]or on the [***] by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt or by courier service using an internationally recognized courier company; |
| (iii). | sent by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt or by courier service using an internationally recognized courier company to the relevant address set out below; |
or sent to any other such addressee, fax number or address notified by one Party to the other Party from time to time in accordance with, and for the purposes of, this Section.
| (b). | For the purposes of this Agreement, the addresses of the Parties are as follows: |
| (i). | Sellers: |
Sabadell Asabys Health Innovation Investments S.C.R., S.A.
Ms. Clara Campàs Moya
[***]
[***]
Galchimia, S.A.
Ms. María do Carme Pampín
[***]
[***]
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Darpaufarma, S.L.
[***]Mr. Julio-César Castro-Palomino Laria
[***]
Autiria Biomed, S.L.
[***]
Mr. Ramón Bosser Artal
[***]
Galicia Innova Tech, FICC
[***]
Ms. Yolanda Falcón García
[***]
Jaume Busquets Viñalonga
[***] [***]
| (ii). | Purchaser: |
Tim Knotnerus
CEO
[***][***]
[***]
| (c). | All notices shall be effective upon receipt and shall be deemed received: |
| (i). | upon delivery, if delivered by hand or by courier; |
| (ii). | on the date of sending, if delivered by email ([***]), provided that such email is confirmed by a notice sent on the [***]by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt or by courier service using an internationally recognized courier company; |
| (iii). | on the [***] in the place to which it is sent following the mailing date, if sent by registered mail. |
| 15.2. | Sellers’ Representative |
| (a). | Each of the Sellers hereby irrevocably appoints Asabys and Darpaufarma as their joint representatives for the purposes of this Agreement (the “Sellers’ Representatives”) and hereby specifically authorizes and empowers (poder especial) the Sellers’ Representatives to jointly act in their name and behalf for all purposes of this Agreement, including for the purposes of: |
| (i). | giving and receiving all notices and other documents on its behalf under this Agreement; |
| (ii). | delivering payment instructions to the Purchaser in connection with the payment of the Purchase Price and of any amount due to the Sellers pursuant to this Agreement; |
| (iii). | taking any and all actions that may be necessary or desirable, as determined by the Sellers’ Representatives in their sole discretion, in connection with the payment of the costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement; |
| (iv). | granting any consent, waiver, confirmation or approval on its behalf under or in connection with this Agreement; |
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| (v). | handling, disputing, settling or otherwise dealing with any Claim against the Sellers under this Agreement; and |
| (vi). | more generally, exercising the rights of the Sellers on their behalf under this Agreement, whether before or after Closing, and taking any and all other actions and doing any and all other things provided in or contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by the Sellers. |
| (b). | Any decision made or action taken by the Sellers’ Representatives under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Sellers. Decisions by the Sellers’ Representatives are on a joint basis and the existence of two Sellers’ Representatives and the potential discrepancy between them in taking decisions shall not harm the Purchaser. |
| (c). | The Parties acknowledge that whenever this Agreement refers to a right exercisable by, or consent to be given by, the Sellers, a Seller shall not be entitled to act or be required to give its consent individually, but this right shall be exercised or this consent shall be given by the Sellers’ Representatives on behalf of the Sellers. |
| (d). | The Sellers’ Representatives (or any of its successors in this capacity) may at any time notify the Purchaser and the Sellers that it does not wish to continue to act as agent for all or part of the Sellers, provided, however, that the termination of a Sellers’ Representatives’ appointment shall not be effective vis-à-vis the Purchaser unless and until a new Person is designated as Sellers’ Representatives under this Agreement. |
| (e). | The Sellers’ Representatives shall not be liable to any Seller for any error of judgment, or any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken, under this Agreement, except in the case of the Sellers’ Representatives fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Sellers’ Representatives may consult with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts selected by the Sellers’ Representatives and shall not be liable to any Seller for any action taken or not taken in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts. |
| (f). | Each Seller shall, in proportion to the portion of the Purchase Price then previously received by such Seller, indemnify and defend the Sellers’ Representatives (and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agent and representatives) and hold the Sellers’ Representatives (and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agent and representatives) harmless against any Losses incurred without fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct by the Sellers’ Representatives and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance, performance or administration of the Sellers’ Representatives’ duties under this Agreement. Any Losses incurred by or reasonably expected to be incurred by the Sellers’ Representatives in connection with the acceptance, performance and administration of its duties as the Sellers’ Representative pursuant to this Agreement (including the hiring of legal counsel, accountants or auditors and other advisors pursuant to the terms of this Agreement but excluding any of the foregoing arising out of the Sellers’ Representatives fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct) and all fees payable hereunder to the Sellers’ Representative by the Sellers shall be paid as follows: (i) first, by recourse to the Earn-Out Consideration, if not already paid and (ii) if such amounts are insufficient to pay such Sellers’ Representatives’ costs, then by recourse directly to the Sellers (in proportion to the portion of the Purchase Price then previously received by each such Seller. |
| 15.3. | Costs and taxes |
| (a). | Each Party shall bear its own costs in connection with the preparation, negotiation and signing of this Agreement and the completion of the Transaction. |
| (b). | All notarial costs arising out of the notarization of this Agreement shall be borne by the Purchaser. All costs, charges and any tax withholding, if any, related to the disposal of the Shares shall be borne by the Sellers. |
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| (c). | Any and all taxes incurred by the Parties in connection with this Agreement and the transactions herein envisaged shall be borne by the Parties in accordance with the law. For the avoidance of any doubt, any cost and/or tax deriving from the conversion of the Convertible Loan (including, for the avoidance of any doubt, the notarisation and registration of the New Shares) or the settlement of the Phantom Stock Options shall be paid by the Company and deducted from the Purchase Price. |
| (d). | Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that the amount of the costs of the Sellers’ legal counsels in connection with the preparation, negotiation and signing of this Agreement (the “Advisors’ Fees”) shall be invoiced to the Purchaser and deducted in the calculation from the Initial Purchase Price. |
| 15.4. | NO IMPLIED WAIVER |
No waiver shall be implied under this Agreement unless a document to this effect, signed by the waiving Party, is produced. No failure or delay by a Party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of the same.
| 15.5. | Amendment |
Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the Parties.
| 15.6. | Severability |
| (a). | If at any time one or more provisions of this Agreement is or becomes invalid or unenforceable (in whole or in part), the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions or part of a provision shall not be affected or impaired in any way to the extent, in view of the substance and purpose of this Agreement, the remainder is not inextricably related to and therefore inseverable from the invalid or unenforceable provision or part thereof. |
| (b). | In the event of any such invalidity or unenforceability, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith with a view to agreeing on a valid and enforceable replacement provision which, to the extent practicable, reflects the substance and purpose of this Agreement and in its economic and legal effects comes as close as possible to the invalid or unenforceable provision. |
| 15.7. | Entire agreement |
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties relating to the matters covered herein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between them, whether oral or in writing, regarding the subject matter hereof (except for the CDA which shall continue to apply with respect to confidential information exchanged thereunder).
| 15.8. | Exhibits and Schedules |
The Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement form an integral part hereof and any reference to this Agreement shall include its Schedules and Exhibits. In the event of any inconsistency or contradiction between the body of this Agreement and any of its Schedules or Exhibits, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
| 15.9. | Benefit of this Agreement and assignment |
| (a). | This Agreement shall be binding on, and inure to the benefit of, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. |
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| (b). | Neither Party may assign or transfer this Agreement, in whole or in part, or any of its rights or obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other Party, except (i) that the Purchaser may assign or transfer this Agreement or any right, obligation or interest under this Agreement to any Affiliate without the prior written consent of the Sellers or the Purchaser, as applicable, provided, however, that no such assignment shall relieve the from its obligations hereunder, and specifically the Purchaser shall remain severally liable vis-à-vis the Sellers, and (ii) Sellers shall be entitled to assign their outstanding Earn-out Payments, whether actually accrued, pending or in dispute, without having to obtain prior written consent from Purchaser (and Purchaser hereby gives consent to the same to the extent that such consent is needed by law) to third-parties that are financial investors, subject however to the following limitations: |
| (i). | The Sellers shall remain severally liable vis-a-vis the Purchaser; |
| (ii). | The assignment refers only to the financial rights inherent to the Earn-out Payments; |
| (iii). | Each Seller may assign their outstanding Earn-out Payments to one single third party unless the assignees are one or more of the other Sellers; |
| (iv). | Any such assignment of economical rights shall not create any new Tax nor increase any existing taxation on the Purchaser; |
| (v). | The assignee is not included in, or domiciled in a country included in, the list of sanctioned countries issued by the relevant department of the government of the United States of America and the European Union; |
| (vi). | The assignee is not engaged, directly or indirectly, in the development of activities that are in competition with Purchaser’s activities. |
| 15.10. | Further assurances |
In connection with this Agreement and the Transaction, each Party shall execute all additional documents and perform any additional acts the other Party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purpose of this Agreement and complete the Transaction.
| 15.11. | Governing law |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of Spain.
| 15.12. | Disputes |
| (a). | Any dispute arising from this Agreement or which relates to it, including any question relating to its existence, validity, interpretation, performance or termination, shall be subject to the decision of three arbitrators, with the administration of the arbitration to be referred to the Madrid International Arbitration Center (MIAC), in accordance with its Bylaws and Rules in force at the date when the request for arbitration is filed. The arbitration shall be in law. The language of the arbitration shall be English. The place of the arbitration shall be Madrid. |
| (b). | Before initiating the arbitration proceedings provided in this Section, Parties shall attempt to resolve their dispute in an amicable manner. If within [***] following the date of notification of the request for settlement by the most interested Party, the Parties do not reach a settlement, they may initiate the arbitration proceedings. |
| (c). | Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section shall preclude the Parties from applying for injunctive relief in summary proceedings before any competent court. |
[Signature page follows]
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Executed in Barcelona on the 26 of October 2021 in one (1) original counterparts, each Party acknowledging receipt of one.
The Sellers
| Sabadell Asabys Health Innovation Investments S.C.R., S.A. | Galchimia, S.A. | |
| /s/ Clara Campàs Moya | /s/ María do Carme Pampín | |
| Asabys Partners SEGIC, S.A.U., | Ms. María do Carme Pampín | |
| represented by Ms. Clara Campàs Moya | Joint and several managing director | |
| Joint and several managing director | ||
| Darpaufarma, S.L. | Autiria Biomed, S.L. | |
| /s/ Julio-César Castro-Palomino Laria | /s/ Ramón Bosser Artal | |
| Mr. Julio-César Castro-Palomino Laria | Mr. Ramón Bosser Artal | |
| Joint and several director | Sole director | |
| Galicia Innova Tech, FICC | ||
| /s/ Rubén Aguión Seoane | /s/ Jaume Busquets Viñallonga | |
| Xesgalicia SGEIC, S.A.U., represented by | Mr. Jaume Busquets Viñallonga | |
| Mr. Rubén Aguión Seoane | ||
| Attorney |
The Purchaser
| AgomAb Therapeutics NV | ||
| /s/ Tim Knotnerus | ||
| Mr. Tim Knotnerus | ||
| CEO and Special proxy holder |
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SCHEDULE 2.1B
[***]
46
SCHEDULE 4.1
Definitions of Closing Net Cash/Debt and Closing Working Capital
[***]
47
SCHEDULE 4.1.BIS
Estimated Net Cash/Debt
[***]
48
SCHEDULE 7.5
ASABYS SIDE LETTER
[***]
49
SCHEDULE 10
Sellers’ Warranties
The Sellers hereby represent and warrant in respect of the Company:
| 1. | THE SELLERS AND THE SELLERS’ SHARES |
| 1.1. | Title to the Sellers’ Shares |
(a). On the date of this Agreement, each Seller is the owner of the entirety of the Existing Shares as specified in Schedule W.1.1(a), free of any Encumbrance.
(b). The Sellers are the exclusive and legal owners of the Convertible Loan and the rights arising thereunder, as specified in Schedule W.1.1(b). At the Closing Date, when the Convertible Loan will be converted, each Seller will be the owner of the New Shares, free of any Encumbrance.
| 1.2. | Capacity to transfer the Sellers’ Shares |
(a). Each Seller has full authority and legal capacity to transfer its Shares to the Purchaser without needing to obtain the consent or approval of any Person.
(b). None of the Sellers is insolvent, or subject to any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceedings under any applicable Laws or equivalent proceedings and no events have occurred which, under applicable Laws, could justify such proceedings. No order has been made, petition presented or meeting convened for the winding up of any of the Sellers or for the appointment of any provisional liquidator or other process whereby the business is terminated and the assets of the company concerned are distributed among the creditors and/or shareholders of the company.
| 1.3. | Authorization, Power and Authority |
Each of the Sellers has, respectively, full power and authority to enter into and perform the obligations under this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, and the provisions of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, when executed, will constitute valid and binding obligations on each of the Sellers, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their terms.
| 1.4. | No Breach |
The execution and performance by each of the Sellers of its obligations under the Transaction Documents will neither:
i. result in a violation of any law or regulation applicable to the relevant Seller;
ii. result in a breach of any provision of the articles of association of the Company or any of its other organizational documents; nor
iii. result in a breach of any contract or obligation to which the relevant Seller(s) is a party or by which the relevant Seller(s) is bound,
except for any such matters that would not have any adverse effect on the ability of each of the Sellers to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.
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| 2. | THE COMPANY AND ITS SHARES |
| 2.1. | Shares of the Company |
(a). All of the Shares of the Company are validly issued and have been fully paid up. Schedule W.2.1(a) reflects the full number of outstanding shares, stock or phantom options, convertible bonds and other securities issued by the Company and the Company has not issued any other securities.
(b). Except the holders of the convertible bonds included in Schedule W.2.1(a), no person has the right (whether exercisable now or in the future, and whether contingent or not) to call for the allotment, conversion, issue, registration, sale, transfer or repayment of any share capital or any other security under any option, agreement or other arrangement.
| 2.2. | Incorporation, Existence and Insolvency |
(a). The Company is a company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Spain.
(b). The Company has full power and capacity to carry on its activities. All Permits necessary for the Company to carry on its business, including all Environmental Permits, have been obtained, are in full force and effect, are not subject to any conditions, have been complied with and are not likely to be suspended, revoked, amended or not renewed (including as a result of the Transaction). To the Sellers’ Knowledge, there is no investigation, enquiry or proceeding outstanding or anticipated which is likely to result in the suspension, cancellation, modification or revocation of any Permit.
(c). The Company is not insolvent, unable to pay its debts as they fall due, or subject to any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceedings under any applicable Laws or equivalent proceedings and, to the Sellers’ Knowledge, no events have occurred which, under applicable Laws, could justify such proceedings. The Company has not taken any step with a view to a suspension of payments or a moratorium of indebtedness and has not made any voluntary arrangement with any of its creditors. No order has been made, petition presented or meeting convened for the winding up of the Company or for the appointment of any provisional liquidator or other process whereby the business is terminated and the assets of the Company are distributed among the creditors and/or shareholders of the Company and no events have occurred which, under applicable Laws, could justify such proceedings.
| 2.3. | Effect of the Sale of the Shares |
Neither entering into, nor compliance with, or completion of the Transaction will or is likely to:
i. cause the Company to lose the benefit of any right or privilege it currently enjoys;
ii. cause, to the Seller’s Knowledge, any person who normally does business with or gives credit to the Company not to continue doing so on the same basis; or
iii. result in a material breach of, or give any third party a right to terminate or vary, or result in any Encumbrance under, any contract or arrangement to which the Company is a party.
| 2.4. | Books and Records |
(a). The articles of association, books and other corporate records of the Company are complete, up-to-date and have been properly maintained in accordance with all applicable Laws, Spanish GAAP and the relevant Tax practices on a proper and consistent basis and comprise complete and accurate records of all information and transactions required to be recorded therein. To the Seller’s Knowledge, all legally required formalities, filings, registration of documents and legal publications have been duly and timely made. The Company is not in default under any provisions of its articles of association.
(b). The books of the meetings of the corporate bodies of the Company have been kept pursuant to applicable Laws and accurately reflect, without any omissions of a material agenda item, report, deliberation or action, the proceedings at such meetings and the resolutions passed from time to time. None of these company resolutions have been challenged or threatened to be challenged, nor differ from ordinary course of the Company’s ordinary course of business.
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(c). There are no transactions carried out by the Company and not recorded in the relevant corporate books and records which should have been approved by a resolution of the applicable corporate body and then recorded.
(d). The reports of the corporate bodies regarding the financial statements which have been approved from time to time accurately reflect the events relating to the activities of the Company.
| 2.5. | Accounts |
(a). The Annual Accounts and the Interim Accounts have been properly prepared in accordance with Spanish GAAP and applicable Laws, on a consistent basis with the three preceding financial years.
(b). The Annual Accounts and the Interim Accounts present a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial condition (including the balance sheet and profit and loss statement) of the Company as at the Annual Accounts Date and the Interim Accounts Date respectively. They are consistent with the books and records of the Company.
(c). Since the Annual Accounts Date, the Company has not received or otherwise obtained knowledge of any complaint or allegation regarding the accounting or auditing practices, policies or procedures of the Company or its respective internal accounting controls.
(d). The Company does not have any liabilities or obligations (whether accrued, contingent, absolute or otherwise, and whether or not required to be disclosed) including, without limitation, any off-balance sheet liabilities or securitization transactions, except: (i) to the extent specifically reflected or adequately reserved against on the balance sheet included in the Annual Accounts or the Interim Accounts, or (ii) ordinary course liabilities or obligations which arose since the Interim Accounts Date (none of which are a liability resulting from breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or misappropriation) and that are not material to the Company.
| 2.6. | Proxies, Delegation of Powers and Signatures |
Except as listed in Schedule W.2.6, there are no proxies, powers of attorney, delegations of power or signature in force granted by the Persons who are able to represent the Company or sign in its name.
| 3. | ASSETS |
| 3.1. | Ownership / Absence of Encumbrance |
(a). The Company is the valid owner of or has valid title to all its Assets, free from any Encumbrance. The assets acquired or disposed of by the Company since the Annual Accounts Date have been so acquired or disposed of in the ordinary course of trading.
(b). The Assets of the Company are used in the normal course of its business and are not subject to any procedure or action which could affect their continued use. The movable properties (including materials, vehicles, equipment and stock) and the real estate property rented or used by the Company are in a normal state of use, maintenance and repair. To the Sellers’ Knowledge, they comply with the statutory, regulatory or contractual requirements or standards applicable to them, taking into account their use by the Company. All Permits necessary to use said Assets have been validly obtained and are in force.
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| 3.2. | Real Estate Property |
(a). The Company does not own any real estate property.
(b). Schedule W.3.2(a) contains a list of all contracts relating to real estate property rented or used (but not owned) by the Company. These properties comprise all the lands and buildings which are used by the Company to conduct its business in the scope and manner in which it is conducted. In relation to such properties, the Company has a valid right of tenure in accordance with applicable Laws and it has not received any termination notice. The Transaction does not constitute a termination event or an event of default under the leases.
(c). The Company has complied with all the terms and conditions of the leases. The Company has neither sub-let or granted any right of occupation over all or part of the premises of which it is the tenant.
(d). No significant works exceeding general office fittings have been carried out on the leased premises at the cost of the Company without the necessary consents or approvals, and any such works will not have to be dismantled upon expiry of the leases.
(e). The Company has paid all due rents and do not owe any amount as of the date hereof.
(f). The Lease Agreements do not contain any change of control provision which has not been waived.
(g). The Lease agreement entered into between the Company and Galchimia dated on 2 January 2020, as amended on 1 July 2020, has amended and been replaced by a new agreement entered into on the date hereof.
(h). The Company holds the compulsory permits and public authorisations or consents required to allow the peaceful occupation of the premises, and to carry out its activities in these premises (urban construction, works, first occupation, activity, opening and environmental licences, or the equivalent to those, as the case may be).
| 3.3. | IT and Communications |
(a). Without prejudice to Clause 3.1(b) above, IT and telecommunications systems and equipment are fully functional, in good working order, adapted and satisfactory to meet business requirements of the Company.
(b). In the past three years, there have been no security breaches affecting any IT or telecommunications systems or any unauthorized use, access or disclosure of data.
(c). The Company has security measures in place to protect IT and telecommunications systems and equipment that are in accordance with current best industry practice.
| 3.4. | Intellectual Property Rights |
(a). Schedule W.3.4(a) contains a complete and accurate list of the Intellectual Property Rights owned or co-owned by the Company, including identification of any co-owners of such Intellectual Property Rights and a list of all Intellectual Property Rights owned by a third party that the Company is using pursuant to a license agreement. All Know-how known to the Company, its Employees or under the Seller’s Knowledge, relating to the further prosecution, practicing or exploitation of the Intellectual Property Rights are included in such Schedule.
(b). The Intellectual Property Rights that are used to carry on the business activities of the Company are either owned or co-owned by the Company and/or used by the Company pursuant to valid and enforceable license agreements. The Company’s ability to continue to use such Intellectual Property Rights will not be adversely affected by the Transaction.
(c). No license or other right has been granted by the Company to any third party to use any of the Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by the Company, save for such license or grant of rights that is restricted to academic research use only.
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(d). No third party, including parties who co-own any Intellectual Property Rights together with the Company, is able to commercially exploit, directly or indirectly the Intellectual Property Rights owned by, co-owned by, or licensed to the Company.
(e). All Intellectual Property Rights which are owned or co-owned by the Company or which are licensed to the Company are, or in the case of pending applications, will be valid and enforceable. All fees which are due and steps which are required for the filing, maintenance and protection of these Intellectual Property Rights have been paid and taken and there are no such fees or deadlines due within [***] of the date of this Agreement.
(f). To the Sellers’ Knowledge, there are no grounds on which any third party could reasonably claim that any of the registered Intellectual Property Rights owned or co-owned by the Company should be revoked, invalidated or rendered unenforceable.
(g). Except as Disclosed, the Sellers are not aware, and the Company has not been notified, of any reason why any applications filed by the Company for registered Intellectual Property Rights should not proceed to grant in their current form.
(h). No compulsory licenses or licenses of right have been granted in relation to the registered Intellectual Property Rights owned or co-owned by the Company.
(i). All Intellectual Property Rights owned or co-owned by the Company are free from any Encumbrance.
(j). To the Sellers’ Knowledge, there has been and is no misuse of the Know-How owned or co-owned by (or licensed to) the Company, and the Company and the Sellers have not made any disclosure of any knowledge which qualified as Know-How (i.e. information and/or knowledge of any nature which was not in the public domain) to any Person other than the Purchaser, except in the ordinary course of business and subject to written confidentiality obligations. To the Sellers’ Knowledge, where the Know-How has been disclosed to a third party subject to written confidentiality obligations, those obligations have not been breached by the relevant other party.
(k). The operation of the Company’s business, both now and at any time, to the Seller’s Knowledge, does not and did not infringe any rights or interests of third parties in Intellectual Property Rights, nor does it or did it violate the terms of any collaboration agreement, development agreement, co-ownership agreement, license agreement or other agreement relating to Intellectual Property Rights to which the Company is a party. Nor would such violation or infringement occur if and once the Company completes the development of, and launches into the market, any of the products that are currently in its pipeline, including but not limited to ORG129 and ORG447.
(l). Except as detailed in Schedule W3.4(l), the Company has never received any written notice or claim that it would infringe the Intellectual Property Rights of any third party. To the Seller’s Knowledge, the Intellectual Property Rights owned or co-owned by the Company are and were not infringed or misappropriated by any third party, including the Company’s co-owners.
(m). Each Person who has or has had any rights in or to any of the Company’s Intellectual Property Rights has assigned and has executed an agreement assigning its entire right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property Rights to the Company.
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(n). The Company is not engaged in any outstanding proceedings and has not received any written notice or claims, and, to the Seller’s Knowledge, there are no circumstances that are likely to give rise to any claim, by any current or former officer, employee, contractor or consultant employed or engaged by the Company:
i. that any Intellectual Property Rights developed for the Company during the course of his/her employment or engagement is not owned or co-owned by the Company;
ii. in relation to disputes regarding the identification of individuals as inventors; or
iii. for compensation or other payments such as royalties in relation to any Intellectual Property Rights that he/she has developed, created or invented other than in accordance with the Company’s remuneration policy.
(o). In respect of each license of Intellectual Property Rights:
i. it is in full force and effect and no termination notice has been given or received by the Company;
ii. no circumstances exist or have existed which would entitle a party to terminate or vary it;
iii. neither entering into, nor compliance with, or completion of the Transaction will entitle a party to terminate it, vary it, or make a claim under it, or result in any other material adverse consequences for the Company (including the loss of any right or benefit) under it; and
iv. the obligations of the parties thereto have been fully complied with in all material respects and no disputes that would entitle a party to terminate it have arisen or are foreseeable.
(p). There are no royalties or other amounts based on sales of Origo Products, which royalties or other amounts will be required to be paid to a third party as a result of the development or commercialization of the Origo Products that arise out of any agreement to which the Company is a party.
| 3.5. | Shareholding |
The Company does not hold shares in any other company, partnership or other entity or business, whether in Spain or abroad. The Company is not a member of any joint venture or other entity.
| 3.6. | Loans |
No loans and advances have been granted by the Company to any third party (including the Sellers) other than standard advances or deposits with suppliers and/or employees in the ordinary course of business.
| 4. | LIABILITIES |
| 4.1. | Subsidies |
(a). The Company has not received any subsidy, support or financial assistance except as listed in Schedule W.4.1.
(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has been awarded with an ENISA financing instrument which execution is subject to the Company’s acceptance. The Sellers and the Company hereby represent that, subject to the consummation of the Transaction, they will not accept and, therefore, will not execute, the ENISA financing agreement.
(c). Except for the ENISA financing referred to above, the Company has not applied for any additional grants whose awarding resolutions are still pending.
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(d). The Company has complied with all material conditions attached to these subsidies and there is no reason (including the Closing of the Transaction): (i) for the subsidies to be revoked in whole or in part nor (ii) for any sanctioning proceedings to be started by any Public Authority with regards to these subsidies.
| 4.2. | Debts owed to third parties |
(a). All material debts have been properly paid on the relevant due date or at such later date within the limits of the ordinary course of business so that the Company is not liable for any interest for late payment, penalty or indemnity.
(b). The Company has duly made all filings to the relevant Authorities and all debts owed to such Authorities have been paid on their due date.
(c). The Sellers do not hold a shareholders current account with the Company.
(d). All financial arrangements entered into by the Company and currently in force (including loan agreements, leasing agreements, overdrafts and other banking facilities granted to the Company) for a principal amount exceeding EUR 10,000 as well as any guarantee, letter of comfort, warranty or indemnity undertaking (other than in commercial contracts) or other off-balance sheet undertaking exceeding an amount of EUR 10,000 are set out in Schedule W.4.2(d).
| 4.3. | Related parties |
The Sellers, their respective Affiliates and any related parties do not have and will not have any claim or contractual right against the Company resulting from their relationship with the Company.
| 5. | CONTRACTS |
| 5.1. | Material Contracts |
(a). Schedule W.5.1(a) contains a complete and accurate list of the following contracts under which the Company has any continuing rights or obligations:
i. any agreement (excluding purchase orders) for the purchase of materials, supplies, goods, services, equipment or other assets providing for payments by the Company of EUR 10,000 or more;
ii. any loan, credit agreement, facility or financial lease relating to the borrowing of money by, or loan of money by the Company;
iii. any contract containing non-compete, exclusivity or any other restrictions on the rights of the Company to freely conduct its business;
iv. any other agreements (including research collaboration or license agreements) involving expenditures by the Company of EUR 10,000 or more;
v. any agreement involving the payment or receipt by the Company of milestone payments or royalties;
vi. any agreement involving research, development, modification or enhancement of Intellectual Property Rights;
vii. any agreement pursuant to which the Company (a) obtains the right to use, or a covenant not to be sued under, any Intellectual Property Rights or (b) grants the right to use, or a covenant not to sue under, any Intellectual Property Rights; and
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viii. any settlement agreement pursuant to which the Company is obligated to (a) pay an amount of EUR 5.000 or more after the date of this Agreement, (b) provide any injunctive relief, (c) take any action or refrain from taking any action after the date of this Agreement that restricts the activity of the Company.
All such agreements are jointly referred to as the “Material Contracts”.
(b). All Material Contracts are in full force and effect and are valid and fully enforceable in accordance with their terms.
(c). No Material Contract has been executed other than on arm’s length terms.
(d). None of the Material Contracts entitles a counterparty to terminate or modify the relevant Material Contract upon the Closing of the Transaction.
(e). The Company has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under the Material Contracts, and the Company is not aware of any (with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both) breach or default thereunder and has not received notice that it is in breach or default under any Material Contract. To the Sellers’ Knowledge, no other party to any Material Contract is (with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both) in breach or default thereunder.
(f). The Company has not received any notice of the intention of any party to terminate any Material Contract.
(g). All obligations for payment of monies by the Company in connection with any Material Contract have been satisfied in a timely manner.
(h). To the Seller’s Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstances exist under any Material Contract that would cause the creation of any Encumbrance affecting any assets owned or used by the Company.
| 5.2. | Related Party Agreements |
(a). There are no contracts entered into by the Company with any of its directors, officers, managers (other than the employment agreement or management services agreement of such manager) or Sellers (including their respective Affiliates, families and relatives) or with any company in which any such Person holds any interest, except as listed in Schedule W.5.2(a).
(b). None of the Company’s directors, officers, managers or the Sellers:
i. has a direct or indirect interest in the business of a competitor, supplier or client of the Company, except as listed in Schedule W.5.2(b);
ii. holds a right or asset necessary for the Company to carry on its business activity, including any rights to the Company’s name, Intellectual Property Rights etc.;
iii. is a debtor or creditor of the Company; or
iv. has bought from or sold to the Company a right or asset with a value exceeding EUR 10,000.
| 6. | INSURANCE |
Schedule W.6 contains true, correct and complete list of each insurance policy maintained by the Company. Except as specified on Schedule W.6, such insurance policies are, and since 1 January 2019 have been, and remain today in full force and effect and shall be maintained by the Company in full force and effect in all respects as they apply to any matter, action or event relating to the Company occurring through the Closing Date. There have been no lapses in the insurance coverage of the Company since 1 January 2019. All premiums payable under all such policies have been timely paid and the Company has otherwise complied with the terms and conditions of all such policies and bonds in all respects. The Company has notified its insurance carrier(s) in compliance with the reporting and notification requirements of the applicable insurance policies of any and all claims made against the Company. To the Seller’s Knowledge, there is no claim by the Company pending under any such policy as to which coverage has been disputed or denied by the underwriters of such policies or in respect of which the underwriters have reserved their rights.
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| 7. | EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS |
| 7.1. | Employees |
(a). Schedule W.7.1(a) contains a complete and accurate list of the Employees of the Company, indicating the nature of their contract (indefinite duration, fixed-term, full-time, part-time, etc.), status, hiring date, place of work, position, annual base salary, amount of variable salary for each of the past three calendar years, and annual amount of benefits in kind. Each of the Employees is, and was hired in the past, in accordance with the Law, the corresponding seniority has been recognized and is, and has been, professionally classified according to the functions effectively performed, and in accordance with the applicable legislation and the Collective Bargaining Agreement of application. All Employees are duly registered in the corresponding social security system.
(b). There are no other employees than the Employees listed in Schedule W.7.1(a). In addition, there is no other person who provides services or has provided services for the Company who can claim the existence of a labor or an economically dependent self-employed worker relationship with the Company as a result of the provision of such services.
(c). No Employee is in the process of being terminated or has formally indicated to the Company an indication to terminate his/her contract. The Company has not implemented any redundancy or collective dismissal procedures over the last three years.
(d). The Company complies with the applicable legislation regarding subcontracting and contracting of services to third parties and independent professionals, having all the required certificates of compliance with labor and social security obligations of their respective contractors. None of the Company’s subcontractors, independent consultant or temporary workers has any right or claim against the Company that they must be categorized as actual employees of the Company.
(e). There has been no illegal assignment of employees.
(f). The Company has duly and timely complied with all of its material obligations relating to labor and social security Laws.
(g). The Company is not involved in any dispute with, or in any investigation regarding, any Employee or social security or labor administration, and there are no facts known which could give rise to any such dispute.
(h). Except for its legal obligations or usual salary increases consistent with its past practice over the past two years, the Company has not:
i. made any proposal or undertaken any obligation to increase the remuneration or benefits (including retirement, sickness, disability or insurance) of its Employees, officers or directors or to provide specific termination terms;
ii. incurred any liability arising from breach of an employment, agency or management services agreement;
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iii. adopted or proposed to introduce in respect of any Employees any employee benefit plan/incentive scheme or arrangement (including, without limitation, any share option arrangements, commission, profit sharing or bonus scheme), except for the scheme described in Schedule W.7.1(h).
(i). There has been no industrial dispute or strike over the last two years.
(j). The Company has not incurred, and, to the Seller’s Knowledge, there are no circumstances likely to give rise to, any liability in connection with occupational accidents or sickness and the Company has complied in all material respects with health and safety regulations.
(k). No employment agreement entered into by the Company contains any exceptional clauses such as contractual termination payments, golden parachutes or exceptional advantages.
(l). Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the implementation of the Transaction will entitle any Employee to severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment (including any incentive payment or bonus) by the Company or any Seller, except for the scheme described in Schedule W.7.1(h).
(m). To the Seller’s Knowledge, the Company complies with all its remote work obligations established under Law 10/2021, of July 9, on remote work.
(n). To the Seller’s Knowledge, the Company is compliant with its obligations regarding the prevention of occupational hazards. Currently there are no Employees who are on sick leave as a result of a work accident or occupational disease.
(o). The Collective Bargaining Agreement applicable to the Company is the “XX General Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Chemical Industry”. The Company does not apply any other collective bargaining agreement. The Company complies and has been complying in the past, with all the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
| 7.2. | Retirement Benefits |
(a). There are no pension schemes which Employees are registered with or pension benefits which the Employees are entitled to.
(b). The Company has no liabilities (including liability for unpaid benefits, contributions or insurance premiums) in respect of any pension scheme for any current or former Employee.
| 8. | LITIGATION; COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS |
| 8.1. | Litigation |
(a). The Company is not a party to any litigation, proceedings, action, arbitration, written threat of litigation or settlement of any nature whatsoever and, except as listed in Schedule W3.4(l), there is, to the Seller’s Knowledge, no fact or event which is likely to give rise to any such litigation, proceedings, action, arbitration, or settlement against the Company.
(b). Neither the Company nor any of the properties, assets or operations which it owns or operates is subject to any continuing injunction, judgement, decree or order of any court, arbitrator, Authority or regulatory body.
(c). To the Seller’s Knowledge, the Company is not the subject of any investigation, enquiry, inspection, audit, control or other procedure by any Authority or administration (in particular the tax, customs, competition, fraud, health and social security Authorities) regarding its operations and activities, and there are no circumstances which would give rise to such investigation or inquiry.
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| 8.2. | Compliance with Laws |
(a). The Company has at all times conducted its business in accordance with applicable Laws, regulations and practices in all material respects, with the exception of breaches which are minor and non-repetitive both as to their nature and consequences.
(b). The Company has not received any notice or other communication (official or otherwise) during the past three years from any court, tribunal, arbitrator, Authority or regulatory body with respect to an actual or potential violation and/or failure to comply with such applicable Laws or regulations, or requiring it to take or omit to take any action likely to give rise to a Loss exceeding EUR 10,000.
| 8.3. | Data Protection |
(a). The Company has complied in the past three years in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Data Protection Legislation (which includes the GDPR and the LOPDGDD). In particular, the Company complies with the guiding principles of the GDPR in all the processing activities it carries out and has implemented: (i) a record of processing activities in which the processing of personal data carried out and the lawful basis for such processing are reflected; (ii) impact assessments for the processing of special categories of personal data; (iii) privacy notices informing data subjects about the processing carried out by the Company; (iv) data processing agreements entered into with third parties who have access to personal data under the Company’s responsibility; and (v) all the recommended protocols demonstrating compliance with the guiding principles of data protection regulations.
(b). In the past three years, no data protection Authority or public administration has alleged that the Company has failed to comply with the Data Protection Legislation and/or the consumers and e-commerce legislation or threatened to conduct an investigation into or take enforcement action against the Company.
(c). The Company has not been involved in a dispute with, or received a written claim from, any individual with respect to any infringement or alleged infringement of the Data Protection Legislation or any internal rules, policies and procedures regarding data protection.
(d). The Company does not carry out international data transfers outside the European Economic Area.
(e). To the Seller’s Knowledge, the Company has not suffered any personal data breach in the past three years.
(f). The Company complies with the Data Protection Legislation when conducting clinical trials when acting as data controller and/or data processor.
| 8.4. | Anti-Corruption Laws |
(a). The Company has not at any time engaged in any activity, practice or conduct which would constitute an offence under the applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery or import-export Laws.
(b). To the Sellers’ Knowledge, no Associated Person of the Company has bribed another person intending to obtain or retain business or an advantage in the conduct of business for the Company.
(c). Neither the Company nor, to the Seller’s Knowledge, any of its Associated Persons is or has been the subject of any investigation, inquiry or enforcement proceedings by any governmental, administrative or regulatory body regarding any offence or alleged offence under the applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery or import-export Laws, and no such investigation, inquiry or proceedings have been threatened or are pending and there are no circumstances likely to give rise to any such investigation, inquiry or proceedings.
For the purposes of this Clause 8.4, “Associated Person” means, in relation to a company, a person (including an employee or agent) who performs or has performed services for or on behalf of that company.
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| 8.5. | Healthcare Compliance |
(a). To the Seller’s Knowledge, neither the Company nor any third party acting on its behalf has violated any applicable Laws or national or international pharmaceutical industry codes applicable to the Company concerning interactions with healthcare professionals, healthcare organizations, payors, patient organizations, policy makers, patients and regulatory agencies.
(b). All Clinical Trials with Origo Products have been and are being conducted by the Company according to applicable Laws in all material respects, together with appropriate monitoring of clinical investigator trial sites for their compliance.
(c). Each Origo Product has been and is being developed, tested, manufactured, labeled and stored in accordance with all applicable Laws in all material respects, including those relating to investigational use, good manufacturing practice, good clinical practice, good laboratory practice, recordkeeping, filing, reports, security and pharmacovigilance.
(d). The studies, tests, preclinical development and Clinical Trials, if any, conducted or being conducted by or on behalf of the Company have been or are being conducted in accordance with experimental protocols, procedures and controls pursuant to accepted professional and scientific standards for products or product candidates comparable to those being developed by the Company. The descriptions of, protocols for, and data and other results of, the studies, tests, preclinical development and Clinical Trials conducted by or on behalf of the Company that have been furnished or made available to the Purchaser are accurate and complete. The Company is not aware of any studies, tests, preclinical development or Clinical Trials the results of which reasonably call into question the results of the studies, tests, preclinical development and Clinical Trials conducted or being conducted by or on behalf of the Company, and the Company has not received any notices or correspondence from the FDA or any other Authority or any institutional review board or comparable authority or data monitoring committee requiring the termination, suspension or material modification of any studies, tests, preclinical development or Clinical Trials conducted or being conducted by or on behalf of the Company.
(e). All regulatory filings and all material communications between representatives of the Company and any regulatory agency or other Authority have been disclosed in the Data Room.
(f). All clinical data from Clinical Trials (including adverse events) regarding the Origo Products have been made available in the Data Room in an accurate and complete manner.
(g). The Company does not directly conduct any activity that requires an administrative authorization, specifically, within the Healthcare and Biotechnological sectors: (i) manufacture of active ingredients, (ii) manufacture and/or distribution of medicines or healthcare products, nor (iii) preclinical investigation or clinical trials. To the Seller’s knowledge, all third parties with which the Company collaborates through outsourcing within the Healthcare and Biotechnological sectors, hold the pertinent authorizations to carry out the outsourced activity. Before entering into any outsourcing contract, the Company applies reasonable inquiry to verify this matter.
(h). The Company complies with all its obligations as promoter on the clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ORG-129 in accordance with the medical products legislation.
(i). To the Sellers’ Knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Employees or Directors is the subject of any pending or threatened investigation by the FDA pursuant to its “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” policy as stated at 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991) (the “FDA Application Integrity Policy”) and any amendments thereto, or by any other similar Authority pursuant to any similar policy. To the Sellers’ Knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Employees or Directors and agents has committed any act, made any statement or failed to make any statement that would reasonably be expected to provide a basis for the FDA to invoke the FDA Application Integrity Policy or for any similar Governmental Entity to invoke a similar policy. Neither the Company nor, to the Seller’s Knowledge, any of its Employees or Directors or agents has made any materially false statements on, or material omissions from, any notifications, applications, approvals, reports and other submissions to FDA or any similar Authority.
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(j). Neither the Company and, to the Sellers’ Knowledge, nor any of its Employees or Directors or agents have ever been, are currently, or are the subject of a proceeding that could lead to it or such Employees or Directors or agents becoming, as applicable, a Debarred Entity or Debarred Individual, an Excluded Entity or Excluded Individual or a Convicted Entity or Convicted Individual.
For the purposes of this Clause 8.5(i):
“Convicted Individual” or “Convicted Entity” means an individual or entity, as applicable, who has been convicted of a criminal offense that falls within the ambit of 21 U.S.C. §335a(a) or 42 U.S.C. § 1320a - 7(a), but has not yet been excluded, debarred, syspended or otherwise declared ineligible.
“Debarred Entity” means a corporation, partnership or association that has been debarred by the FDA pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §335a(a) or (b) from submitting or assisting in the submission of any abbreviated drug application, or a subsidiary or affiliate of a Debarred Entity;
“Debarred Individual” means an individual who has been debarred by the FDA pursuant to the FDA pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §335a(a) or (b) from providing services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug or biological product application.
“Excluded Individual” or “Excluded Entity” means: (i) an individual or entity, as applicable, who has been excluded, debarred, suspended or is otherwise ineligible to participate in federal health care programs such as Medicare or Medicaid by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG/HHS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or (ii) an individual or entity, as applicable, who has been excluded, debarred, suspended or is otherwise ineligible to participate in federal procurement and non-procurement programs, including those produced by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).
| 8.6. | Environmental Matters |
(a). The conduct of the business by the Company is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(b). The Company is not subject to environmental costs and/or liabilities, and, to the Seller’s Knowledge, no facts or circumstances exist which could give rise to environmental costs and/or liabilities relating to soil, water or air pollution, handling of Hazardous Substances, (illegal) waste dumping, (illegal) waste water discharging or (illegal) waste transportation
| 9. | TAXES |
(a). All the Tax Returns were properly filed within the deadline provided by the applicable Tax Laws and all Taxes, fees and similar charges, due on the basis of such Tax Returns, have been paid in full or have been fully reserved for in the Annual Accounts. Such Tax Returns are true, complete and accurate in all material respects.
(b). All the Tax calculations were properly performed in accordance with the applicable Tax Laws.
(c). The Company has duly and timely paid in full all Taxes for which it has become liable and is under no obligation to pay any penalty or interest in connection with any claim for Taxes.
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(d). All losses (including any tax credit mechanisms) available to the Company can be carried forward and offset against the profits of the Company in subsequent financial years in accordance with applicable Law. The operations contemplated in this Agreement will not prevent the Company from fully using these Tax losses and Tax credits.
(e). The Company is not and has never been the subject of any Tax audit, information request or investigation in relating to Taxes and the Company is not aware of any such audit, information request or investigation in relation to Taxes or any enquiry instigated by a Tax Authority which may give rise to the payment of a Tax or a reassessment of any Tax basis in respect of the last three financial years. The Company has not received any notice of reassessment nor has it otherwise been informed by any Authority of its intention to carry out any reassessment.
(f). The Company has not executed or entered into any written agreement with or obtained or applied for any written consents or written clearances or any other Tax rulings from any Tax Authority. No extensions or waivers of statutes of limitation have been given or requested with respect to any Taxes payable by the Company and no extensions or waivers of statutes of limitation have been given or requested for the filing of any Tax returns or other documents with respect to any Taxes relating to the Company. No Authority has operated or agreed to operate any special arrangement (being an arrangement which is not based on relevant legislation or published practice) in relation to the affairs of the Company.
(g). The Company is not involved in any dispute, litigation or proceedings involving any Tax Authority regarding the assessment or the collection of Taxes.
(h). All Tax records, documentation (including all transfer pricing documentation and data) and information which could be requested by Tax Authorities in accordance with Tax Laws and Tax practices have been duly established, are available, accessible and exploitable to or by the Company and maintained, in their proper form, for at least since 1 January 2018. The documentation necessary to justify the expenses of the Company is within the Company’s possession or control and is accurate and complete.
(i). The Company has not entered into any agreement or transaction which may be reassessed, rejected or requalified on the grounds that the Company has attempted to evade, circumvent or reduce its Tax obligations or those of another Person. The Company has never been party to a transfer, sale, exchange, contribution or assignment of any kind for which it has not paid registration duties, contribution or conversion fees, stamp duty, real estate registration taxes or any other charge which it is or has been legally or contractually liable to pay. The Company is not jointly and severally liable for any Tax liability of any third party.
(j). The Company is not a party to or bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnity agreement or arrangement with any of the Sellers or their respective Affiliates.
(k). To the Seller’s Knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances which have or may lead to a reassessment by any Tax Authority of Taxes to be paid by the Company.
(l). The Company has or has had no representative office or permanent establishment outside of Spain at any time since its incorporation. The Company has never been engaged in any trade, business or other activity outside of Spain that qualifies as a taxable presence in any country other than Spain on the basis of local Tax Laws and the applicable tax treaty for the avoidance of double taxation between Spain and the relevant other country.
| 10. | INFORMATION |
(a). All information provided by the Sellers in this Agreement and in the Data Room, and all other information provided by the Sellers, the Company and their advisors prior to the date of this Agreement to the Purchaser and its advisors has been provided in good faith and is not untrue, inaccurate or misleading and to the Sellers’ Knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances undisclosed to the Purchaser which would render any such information untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any respect.
(b). The information provided by the Company for the purposes of completing the questionnaires regarding the FDI Condition Precedent is complete and true.
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Schedule W.1.1(a)
Title to the Sellers’ Shares
[***]
64
Schedule W.1.1(b)
Convertible Loan
[***]
65
Schedule W.2.1(a)
Shares of the Company
[***]
66
Schedule W.2.6
Proxies, Delegation of Powers and Signatures
[***]
67
Schedule W.3.2(a)
Real Estate Property
[***]
68
Schedule W.3.4(a)
Intellectual Property Rights
owed or co-owed by the Company
Composition of matter patents:
[***]
69
Schedule W.3.4(l)
Intellectual Property Opposition
[***]
70
Schedule W.4.1
Subsidies
[***]
71
Schedule W.4.2(d)
Debts owed to Third Parties
[***]
72
Schedule W.5.1(a)
Material Contracts
[***]
73
Schedule W.5.1(a) - Material Contracts
[***]
74
Schedule W.5.2(a)
Related Party Agreements
[***]
75
Schedule W.5.2(b)
Companies in which the Directors of Origo participate
[***]
76
Schedule W.6
Insurance
[***]
77
Schedule W.7.1(h)
Employees
[***]
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SCHEDULE 11
Purchaser’s Warranties
The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants:
1. The Purchaser validly exists and is a company duly incorporated under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.
2. The Purchaser has the legal right and full power and authority to enter into and perform the Transaction Documents and any other documents to be executed by it pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement.
3. The documents referred to in Clause 2 will, when executed, constitute valid and binding obligations on the Purchaser in accordance with their respective terms.
4. The Purchaser has taken all corporate actions required to authorize it to enter into and perform the obligations under the Transaction Documents and any other documents to be executed by it pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement.
5. The execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the documents referred to in it, and compliance with their respective terms shall not breach or constitute a default under the Purchaser’s bylaws or any other agreement, authorisation, corporate resolution, instrument or law to which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser is bound, or any order, judgement, decree or other restriction applicable to the Purchaser.
6. The Purchaser is not subject to any situation of insolvency and has not been declared insolvent or subject to or bound by any analogous procedure. So far as the Purchaser is aware, no action or request is pending to declare the Purchaser insolvent (or subject to or bound by any analogous procedure) or to make it subject to any proceeding contemplated by any insolvency (or analogous) law.
7. The Purchaser has not approved any corporate resolution regarding the dissolution or winding-up of the Purchaser. The Purchaser is not under a compulsory dissolution or capital reduction event under applicable corporate law.
79
EXHIBIT 14(e)
Joint Press Release
[***]
80
Exhibit 2.2
Strictly Confidential
Execution Version
Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and is the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that was omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”.
AMENDMENT #1 TO THE SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT OF 26 OCTOBER 2021
This Amendment #1 (the “Amendment”) is made as of April 16, 2025 (the “Amendment Effective Date”) by and between:
| 1. | Sabadell Asabys Health Innovation Investments S.C.R., S.A., a venture capital company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], [***], [***], registered with the Commercial Registry of Barcelona under volume 46606, sheet 1, page B-525265, registered with the CNMV under number 277 and holder of tax identification number [***], (“Asabys”); |
Asabys is hereby represented by its managing company, Asabys Partners SEGIC, S.A.U., a company organized under Spanish law, with registered office at [***], [***], registered with the CNMV, under number 165.
Asabys Partners SEGIC, S.A.U. is hereby represented by Ms. Clara Campàs Moya, of legal age, of Spanish nationality, with professional address at [***], [***], and holder of Spanish ID number [***] in her capacity as joint and several managing director (consejero delegado solidario) of Asabys Partners SEGIC, S.A.U.
| 2. | Galchimia, S.A., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], registered with the commercial register of Santiago under Volume 2,528, Page 58, Sheet SC-27798, and holder of tax identification number [***], represented by Ms. María do Carme Pampín in her capacity as joint and several managing director (consejero delegado solidario) (“Galchimia”); |
| 3. | Darpaufarma, S.L., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], registered with the commercial register of Barcelona under Volume 45,247, Page 46, Sheet B-481675, and holder of tax identification number [***], represented by Mr. Julio-César Castro- Palomino Laria in his capacity as joint and several director (“Darpaufarma”); |
| 4. | Autiria Biomed, S.L., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], registered with the commercial register of Barcelona under Volume 46,995, Page 151, Sheet 537618, and holder of tax identification number [***], represented by Mr. Ramón Bosser Artal in his capacity as sole director (“Autiria”); |
| 5. | Galicia Innova Tech, FICC, a closed-ended investment fund organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], registered with the Administrative Register of Closed-Ended Investment Funds of the CNMV under number 12 (“Galicia Innova Tech”); |
Galicia Innova Tech is hereby represented by its managing company, Xesgalicia SGEIC, S.A.U., a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***] and registered with the commercial register of A Coruña under volume 190, page 170, section 8, sheet SC 21.886 and with the Administrative Register of Closed-ended Collective Investment Collective Management Companies of the CNMV under number 12, represented by Ms. Raquel Rodríguez Espiño in her capacity as legal representative.
| 6. | Jaume Busquets Viñallonga, an individual of legal age, with Spanish nationality, residing at [***], s/n ([***]) and provided with Spanish ID number [***] (“Jaume Busquets Viñallonga”); |
Asabys, Galchimia, Darpaufarma, Autiria, Galicia Innova Tech, and Jaume Busquets Viñallonga are hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Sellers”;
and
| 7. | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, a company organised under the laws of Belgium, with its registered office at [***], registered with the Register of Legal Entities of Antwerp (Belgium) under number 0674.527.310, represented by Tim Knotnerus in his capacity as CEO, |
hereinafter referred to as “AgomAb” or the “Purchaser”;
The Sellers and the Purchaser are hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party”.
WHEREAS:
| A. | The Parties entered into share purchase agreement dated 26 October 2021 (the “Agreement”) relating to the acquisition by the Purchaser from the Sellers of all shares in Agomab Spain, S.L.U (formerly known as Origo Biopharma, S.L.), a company organised under the laws of Spain, with its registered office at [***], Spain, registered with the commercial register of Ourense (Spain), with C.I.F. number B32478414 (“Origo” or the "Company"); |
| B. | The Parties now wish to amend the terms of the Agreement relating to Earn-Out Event 1, as set forth in this amendment 1 to the Agreement (the “Amendment”). |
2
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
| 1. | DEFINITIONS |
| 1.1 | Unless expressly provided otherwise in this Amendment, any capitalized term used but not defined in this Amendment will have the meaning given thereto in the Agreement. |
| 1.2 | The Parties hereby agree (a) to remove the definition of “Earn-Out Event 1” from the Agreement, (b) to amend the definitions of “Earn-Out Event/s”, “Earn-Out Event 2”, “Earn-Out Event 3” and “Phase 2 Clinical Trial” and (c) to add new definitions for “Earn-Out Event 1a”, “Earn-Out Event 1b” and “STENOVA Clinical Trial” as follows: |
| Earn-Out Event/s | Earn-Out Event 1a, Earn-Out Event 1b, Earn-Out Event 2 and Earn-Out Event 3 | |
| Earn-Out Event 1a | Defined in Section 5.1(a)(i). | |
| Earn-Out Event 1b | Defined in Section 5.1(a)(ii) | |
| Earn-Out Event 2 | Defined in Section 5.1(a)(iii) | |
| Earn-Out Event 3 | Defined in Section 5.1(a)(iv) | |
| Phase 2 Clinical Trial | A human clinical trial of an Origo Product, the primary and/or secondary endpoints of which consist of assessing safety and efficacy with at least [***] treatment duration in the target patient population. | |
| STENOVA Clinical Trial |
The AGMB-129-C102 clinical trial with protocol title “A Phase 2a, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double- blind Study to Assess the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of AGMB-129 in Patients With Fibrostenotic Crohn's Disease” with ORG129 in patients with Fibrostenosing Crohn’s Disease (clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT05843578). |
| 2. | EARN-OUT EVENTS |
Parties agree to delete Section 5.1(a) from the Agreement and replace it with the following wording:
“(a). In addition to the Initial Purchase Price for the sale of the Shares by Sellers to Purchaser, the Purchaser shall pay to the Sellers an aggregate amount of up to EUR 20,000,000 (the “Earn-Out Consideration”) upon the occurrence of the following Earn-Out Events:
(i). EUR 3,000,000 shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers on the Amendment Effective Date in consideration for the first dosing of the first subject in the open- label extension of the STENOVA Clinical Trial (“Earn-Out Event 1a”);
3
(ii). EUR 7,000,000 shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers upon the earlier of:
| A. | the first dosing of the first subject in the first Phase 2 Clinical Trial with the first Origo Product, |
| B. | the first dosing of the first subject in the first Proof-of-Concept clinical trial with ORG447 in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, the primary and/or secondary endpoints of which consist of assessing safety and efficacy, with at least 3 months treatment (excluding, for clarity, the IPF cohort of the ongoing Phase 1 trial with ORG447 known as AGMB-447-C101 (clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT06181370)), or |
| C. | the first dosing of the first subject in the first Phase 2 clinical trial with ORG129 in patients with Fibrostenosing Crohn’s Disease, the primary and/or secondary endpoints of which consist of assessing safety and efficacy (excluding, for clarity, the STENOVA Clinical Trial or its open-label extension), |
in each case (A), (B) or (C) on or before 31 December 2030 (the “Earn-Out Event 1b”);
(iii). EUR 5,000,000 shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers upon the first dosing of the first subject in the first Phase 3 Clinical Trial with the first Origo Product on or before 31 December 2035 (the “Earn-Out Event 2”);
(iv). EUR 5,000,000 shall be paid by the Purchaser to the Sellers upon obtaining Regulatory Approval for the first Origo Product in the United States on or before 31 December 2040 (the “Earn-Out Event 3”).
For the avoidance of doubt, upon the occurrence of the Earn-Out Event 2 prior to the occurrence of the Earn-Out Event 1b, then the Earn-Out Event 1b shall be also considered as occurred and payable to the Sellers in the same terms as the Earn-Out 2 under this Section 5. Likewise, should the Earn-Out Event 3 occur prior to the occurrence of the Earn-Out Event 1b and the Earn-Out Event 2, then the Earn-Out Event 1b and the Earn-Out Event 2, as applicable, shall be also considered as occurred and payable to the Sellers in the same terms as the Earn-Out 3 under this Section 5. For clarification purposes, an Earn-Out Event shall be payable only once.”
4
| 3. | PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS |
In deviation from Section 5.2 of the Agreement, no additional Earn-Out Notice shall be sent by the Purchaser with respect to Earn-Out Event 1a. Parties agree that the following payment instructions apply to the payment of the Earn-Out Consideration due to the Sellers with respect to Earn-Out Event 1a:
| NAME | BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS | AMOUNT | ||||
| DARPAUFARMA, S.L. | [***] | [***] | ||||
| GALCHIMIA S.A. | [***] | [***] | ||||
| AUTIRIA BIOMED, S.L. | [***] | [***] | ||||
| JAUME BUSQUETS | [***] | [***] | ||||
| VIÑALLONGA | [***] | |||||
| GALICIA INNOVA TECH, | [***] | [***] | ||||
| FICC | [***] | |||||
| SABADELL ASABYS | [***] | [***] | ||||
| HEALTH INNOVATION INVESTMENTS, S.C.R., | [***] | [***] | ||||
| S.A. | ||||||
| TOTAL | 2.801.738,24€ | |||||
Further, pursuant to Section 5.3(c) of the Agreement, the amount payable by the Company in relation to the Phantom Stock Options under the Confidential Mutual Release and Termination Agreements equals to 198.261,76 €, amount which has been already been discounted from the proceeds payable to the Sellers as provided above, shall be allocated as follows:
| NAME | AMOUNT | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| [***] | [***] | |||
| TOTAL | 198.261,76€ | |||
| 4. | MISCELLANEOUS |
| 4.1 | Except as expressly set forth in this Amendment, no other changes are made to the Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect, except that any references to the “Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment as of the Amendment Effective Date. |
| 4.2 | The validity, construction, performance and interpretation of this Amendment (and any non-contractual obligation arising out of this Amendment) shall be governed by the laws governing the Agreement. Any dispute between the Parties regarding the terms of this Amendment shall be resolved in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.12 of the Agreement. |
| 4.3 | This Amendment may be executed and delivered in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one single agreement between the Parties. An executed signature page of this Amendment delivered by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail in "portable document format" (".pdf") shall be as effective as an original signature page. |
[Signature page follows]
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.
The Sellers
| Sabadell Asabys Health Innovation Investments S.C.R., S.A. | Galchimia S.A. | |||
| /s/ Clara Campàs Moya | /s/ María do Carme Pampín | |||
| Name: | Ms. Clara Campàs Moya | Name: | Ms. María do Carme Pampín | |
| Title: | Legal representative | Title: | Legal representative | |
| Darpaufarma, S.L. | Autiria Biomed, S.L. | |||
| /s/ Julio-César Castro-Palomino Laria | /s/ Ramón Bosser Artal | |||
| Name: | Mr. Julio-César Castro-Palomino Laria | Name: | Mr. Ramón Bosser Artal | |
| Title: | Legal representative | Title: | Legal representative | |
| Galicia Innova Tech, FICC | ||||
| /s/ Raquel Rodríguez Espiño | /s/ Jaume Busquets Viñallonga | |||
| Name: | Ms. Raquel Rodríguez Espiño | Name: | Mr. Jaume Busquets Viñallonga | |
| Title: | Legal representative | |||
The Purchaser
| AgomAb Therapeutics NV | ||
| /s/ Tim Knotnerus | ||
| Name: Mr. Tim Knotnerus | ||
| Title: CEO |
6
| 1 “AgomAb Therapeutics” Limited liability company Established in the Flemish Region With address at 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Posthoflei 1/6 RCE Antwerp division Antwerp VAT BE 0674.527.310 -------- Articles of association after the extraordinary general meeting of 4 November 2024 DEFINITIONS In these Articles the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings: Actions has the meaning given in article 22.1; A Preference Amount has the meaning given to it in article 35.2(d); Accession Deed means a deed of accession to the Agreement in a form acceptable to the Board (acting reasonably); Affiliate has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. Agreement means the shareholders’ agreement relating to the Company dated 4 November 2024, as amended from time to time; Anti-Dilution A Warrants means the sixty (60) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred A Shares in connection with the Series A Investment; Anti-Dilution B Warrants means the two hundred and fifty (250) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to certain holders of Preferred B Shares in connection with the Series B Investment; Anti-Dilution C Warrants means two hundred and ten (210) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred C Shares in connection with the Series C Investment; Anti-Dilution D Warrants means two hundred and forty (240) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred |
| 2 D Shares on 4 November 2024 in the form set out in Schedule 4 of the 2024 Subscription Agreement; Anti-Dilution Warrants means the Anti-Dilution A Warrants, the Anti-Dilution B Warrants, the Anti-Dilution C Warrants and the Anti-Dilution D Warrants; Articles or articles means the articles of association of the Company, as amended from time to time; As Converted Basis means, in respect of a number of Shares to be determined on an “As Converted Basis” by reference to any particular securities in the Company: (a) such number of those securities as are Common Shares; plus (b) such number of Common Shares as such securities which are Preferred Shares (if any) may then be converted into in accordance with Article 8.2; and (c) in respect of any securities (other than Shares) (if any) then such number of Shares as may be subscribed or exchanged for, or converted into or otherwise called for, pursuant thereto (and, if such Shares are Preferred Shares, then the number of Common Shares attributable thereto in accordance with (b) above); Asset Sale means the disposal or other disposition by the Company and/or any member of the Group which together constitute all or substantially all of its undertaking and assets (which disposal may include, without limitation, the grant by the Company of an exclusive licence of Intellectual Property not entered into in the ordinary course of business); B Preference Amount has the meaning given to it in article 35.2(c); Belgian Code for Companies and Associations means the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations of 23 March 2019, as amended from time to time; Board means the board of directors of the Company from time to time; |
| 3 Business Day means any day from Monday to Friday (included), excluding statutory or banking holidays in Belgium, the United Kingdom, California or New York, USA; Buyer has the meaning given to it in article 11.5.3; C Preference Amount has the meaning given to it in article 35.2(b); Canaan means Canaan XII L.P.; Catch-Up Amount has the meaning given to it in article 35.7; CEO Director has the meaning given in article 24.5; Chairperson Director has the meaning given in article 24.6; Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate has the meaning given in article 39.1; Common Shares means the common shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Company means AgomAb Therapeutics NV; Confirmation Notice has the meaning given to it in article 11.1.1. A; Controlling Interest means an interest in shares giving to the holder or holders control of the Company within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations; Control Tag Along Right has the meaning given in article 11.6.1; Control Tag Along Exercise Notice has the meaning given in article 11.6.6; Control Tag Along Invitation Notice has the meaning given in article 11.6.5.(ii)(b); Conversion Ratio means a ratio of one (1) Common Share for every one (1) Preferred Share or ESOP Common Share, subject to adjustment in accordance with article 8.2.12; Co-Sale Notice has the meaning given to it in article 11.5.3; |
| 4 Dawn means Memory Investments S.à.r.l.; Decisive Influence has the meaning given in article 11.6.2; Decisive Influence Notice has the meaning given in article 11.6.4; Decisive Shareholder has the meaning given in article 11.6.1; Director(s) means a director or directors of the Company from time to time; Drag Along Notice has the meaning given in article 11.7.4; Drag Along Right has the meaning given in article 11.7.1.B; Dragged Parties has the meaning given in article 11.7.1B; Dragging Parties has the meaning given in article 11.7.1; Equity Holder has the meaning given to it in article 11.5.3; Employee Stock Option Warrants means any warrants issued by the Company to give effect to the ESOP Stock Option Plan; EQT means LSP 7 Coöperatief U.A.; ESOP Common Shares means the ESOP common shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; ESOP Stock Option Plan means the various stock option plans of the Company, as adopted by the Board from time to time; Exit means a Share Sale or an Asset Sale; Expert Valuer has the meaning given in article 11.4A.1; Fair Value has the meaning given in article 11.4A.3; Family Trust means as regards any particular individual member or deceased or former individual member, trusts (whether arising under a settlement, declaration of trust or other instrument by whomsoever or wheresoever made or under a testamentary disposition or on an intestacy) under which no immediate beneficial interest in any of the shares in question is for the time being vested in any person other than the individual and/or Privileged Relations of that individual, and so that for this purpose |
| 5 a person shall be considered to be beneficially interested in a share if such share or the income thereof is liable to be transferred or paid or applied or appointed to or for the benefit of such person or any voting or other rights attaching thereto are exercisable by or as directed by such person pursuant to the terms of the relevant trusts or in consequence of an exercise of a power or discretion conferred thereby on any person or persons; Fidelity means collectively, the Fidelity Investors; Fidelity Investors means (i) Fidelity Growth Company Commingled Pool By: Fidelity Management Company, as Trustee; (ii) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust : Fidelity Growth Company K6 Fund; (iii) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Growth Company Fund; (iv) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Series Growth Company Fund and (v) Fidelity Select Portfolios: Pharmaceuticals Portfolio; FMR means Fidelity Management and Research Company LLC; Founder means each of Paolo Michieli, Michael Saunders, Federica Linty, Virginia Morello, Manuela Cazzanti, De Haard Antibody Technologies B.V. and EuremAb Srl; Fund Manager means a person whose principal business is to make, manage or advise upon investments in securities, including a registered investment advisor; Group means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries from time to time; Holding Company means a newly formed company in any jurisdiction (including, without limitation, in the United States of America under Delaware law), which has no previous trading history and has been incorporated for the purposes of a Holding Company Reorganisation; Holding Company Reorganisation means any transaction involving the issue of shares in the capital of a new Holding Company to the shareholders, the object or intent of which is to interpose the new Holding Company as the sole owner of the Company such that immediately subsequent to such transaction: |
| 6 (a) the number and class of shares comprised in the issued share capital of the new Holding Company, the identity of the shareholders of the new Holding Company, and the number and class of shares held by each such person is the same as (or, as regards number of shares only, proportionate to) the issued share capital of the Company (save for the fact that such shares are issued by a different company) and the identity of the Shareholders and the number and class of Shares held by each such person immediately prior to such transaction; (b) the rights attaching to each class of share comprised in the new Holding Company are the same (save for the fact that such shares are issued by a different company and/or in a different jurisdiction with attendant differences in company law) as those rights attaching to the like class of share comprised in the share capital of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; and (c) the constitutional documents of the new Holding Company are the same in substantive effect (save for the fact that they apply in respect of a different company, and as to matters and modifications to reflect that the new Holding Company may be incorporated in a jurisdiction other than Belgium) as the articles of association of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition; Independent Director has the meaning given in article 24.6; Intellectual Property means any intellectual property rights, including copyrights, neighbouring and related rights, trade and service marks, trade names, rights in logos and get-up, inventions, rights in databases, domain names, confidential information, trade secrets and Know-How, registered designs, design rights, patents, utility models, semi-conductor topographies, all rights of whatsoever nature in computer software and data, all intangible rights and privileges of a nature similar or allied to any of the foregoing, in every case in any part of the world and whether or not registered; and including all granted registrations and all pending applications for registration and all rights to apply for registration, all renewals, reversions or extensions, the right to sue for damages for past infringement and all forms of protection of a similar |
| 7 nature which may subsist anywhere in the world and any rights to receive remuneration in respect of such rights; Investor has the meaning given in the Agreement. Investment Fund means a fund, partnership, trust, company, mandate syndicate, registered investment company or other entity whose business is managed or advised (in an investment advisory capacity) by a Fund Manager; Investor Director means the Series A Investor Director, the Series B Investor Director and the Series C Investor Director; IPO means the admission of all or any of the shares of the Company or securities representing those shares (including, without limitation, depositary interests, American depositary receipts, American depositary shares and/or other instruments) on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, Official List of the United Kingdom Listing Authority, Euronext Amsterdam or Euronext Brussels; Issue Price means the price in EUR at which the relevant Share is issued, including any premium, provided that: (a) the Issue Price per Preferred D Share shall be the Preferred D Issue Price; (b) the Issue Price per Preferred C Share shall be the Preferred C Issue Price; (c) the Issue Price per Preferred B Share shall be the Preferred B Issue Price; and (d) the Issue price per Preferred A Share shall be: (i) forty euro (EUR 40) per Preferred A Share for the 15,450 shares issued at the occasions of the Seed Investment (as defined in the Agreement) and which were converted into Preferred A Shares on 14 March 2019; and (ii) eighty-five euro (EUR 85) per Preferred A Share for the Preferred A Shares issued in the Series A Investment on 14 March 2019; |
| 8 Key Manager means Tim Knotnerus; Know-How means any expertise, practice, experience, factual and technical knowledge and information relating to commercial, scientific and technical matters, inventions and trade secrets, including but not limited to any non-patentable technical and other information which is not in the public domain including information comprising or relating to concepts, discoveries, data, designs, formulae, ideas, reports and data analyses, procedures, tests, genes, plasmas, vectors, clones, cell lines, cell cultures, cell expression systems, cell constructions, developments, micro-organisms, chemical compounds, biochemical compounds, mutations, test systems, test protocols and purification materials and techniques; Liquidation Interest Profit Share has the meaning given in article 39.7; Liquidity Event has the meaning given in article 35.1; Major Investor means a Shareholder holding (together with its Permitted Transferees) not less than five per cent. (5%) of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement; Member of the Same Fund Group means, if the shareholder is an Investment Fund or is a custodian or nominee of that Investment Fund: (a) any participant or partner in or member of any such Investment Fund or the holders of any unit trust which is a participant or partner in or member of any Investment Fund (but only in connection with the dissolution of the Investment Fund or any distribution of assets of the Investment Fund pursuant to the operation of the Investment Fund in the ordinary course of business); (b) any Investment Fund managed, advised, sub advised, sponsored or controlled, directly or indirectly (including as delegate of the Fund Manager), by the Fund Manager managing or advising (including through delegation) the concerned Investment Fund or by another Fund Manager who is a member of the Investment Fund’s Group or its Fund Manager’s Group; (c) any parent company or a subsidiary company of the Investment Fund or Fund Manager, or any subsidiary |
| 9 company of any parent company of the Investment Fund or Fund Manager; (d) any general partner, managing member, officer, director, trustee, nominee or custodian of such Investment Fund and vice versa, or any venture capital fund or registered investment company now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners, managing members or investment advisers of such Investment Fund and vice versa; and (e) any Affiliate of an Investment Fund. Member of the Same Group means as regards any company, a company which is from time to time a parent company or a subsidiary company of that company or a subsidiary company of any such parent company; New Reorganisation Shareholder has the meaning given in article 11.8.3; Observer means a non-voting observer appointed in accordance with article 24.13; Offered Shares has the meaning given in article 11.4.1. Original Shareholder has the meaning given in article 11.2.1. Outstanding A Liquidity Preference has the meaning given to it in article 35.6; Outstanding B Liquidity Preference has the meaning given to it in article 35.5; Outstanding C Liquidity Preference has the meaning given to it in article 35.4; Outstanding D Liquidity Preference has the meaning given to it in article 35.3; Permitted Transferee means: (a) in relation to a Shareholder who is an individual, any of his Privileged Relations, Trustees or Qualifying Companies; |
| 10 (b) in relation to a Shareholder which is a legal entity, any Member of the Same Group; (c) in relation to a Shareholder which is an Investment Fund, any Member of the Same Fund Group; (d) in relation to a Preferred Shareholder: (i) any Member of the Same Group; (ii) any Member of the Same Fund Group; (iii) any nominee or custodian of that Preferred Shareholder (and vice versa); and (e) in relation to a holder of ESOP Common Shares, a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with the ESOP Stock Option Plan; Preferred A Dividend has the meaning given in article 32.2(e); Preferred A Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred A Shares then outstanding; Preferred A Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred A Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred A Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred A Shares means the preferred A shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Preferred B Dividend has the meaning given in article 32.2(d); Preferred B Issue Price means EUR 208.5045319; Preferred B Shares means the preferred B shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Preferred B Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred B Shares then outstanding; |
| 11 Preferred B Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred B Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred B Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred C Dividend has the meaning given in article 32.2(c); Preferred C Issue Price means EUR 208.5045319; Preferred C Shares means the preferred C shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Preferred C Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred C Shares then outstanding; Preferred C Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred C Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred C Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred D Dividend has the meaning given in article 32.2(b); Preferred D Issue Price means EUR 239.7802117; Preferred D Shares means the preferred D shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Preferred D Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred D Shares then outstanding; Preferred D Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred D Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred D Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred Dividend means the Preferred A Dividend, the Preferred B Dividend, the Preferred C Dividend and the Preferred D Dividend; Preferred Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred Shares then outstanding, which must in each case include the Preferred B Majority, the Preferred C Majority and the Preferred D Majority; |
| 12 Preferred Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding, it being understood that the Preferred Majority Consent must include (i) the Preferred B Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred B Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding, (ii) the Preferred C Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred C Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding, as well as (iii) the Preferred D Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred D Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred Shareholders means a holder of Preferred Shares; Preferred Shares means the Preferred A Shares, the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred C Shares and the Preferred D Shares; Prior A Payment has the meaning given in article 35.6; Prior B Payment has the meaning given in article 35.5; Prior C Payment has the meaning given in article 35.4; Prior D Payment has the meaning given in article 35.3 Privileged Relations means, in relation to a shareholder who is an individual or deceased or former individual member, a spouse, civil partner, child or grandchild (including step or adopted or illegitimate child and their issue); Proposed Exit has the meaning given in article 22.1; Proposed Reorganisation has the meaning given in article 11.8.1; Prospective Transferee has the meaning given in article 11.7.1; Qualifying Company a company in which a shareholder or Trustee(s) holds the entire issued share capital and over which that shareholder or Trustee(s) exercises control (within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations); |
| 13 Qualifying IPO means an IPO (i) in which the gross aggregate subscription amount in respect of new shares issued at the time of the IPO is not less than EUR 70,000,000 (before deduction of underwriters’ commissions and other expenses); (ii) in which the issue price per new share on the IPO is at least 1.2x the Preferred D Issue Price (as adjusted for any Reorganisation); and (iii) which is effected on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, Official List of the United Kingdom Listing Authority, Euronext Amsterdam or Euronext Brussels; Realisation Distribution has the meaning given in article 39.10; Redmile Redmile Biopharma Investments III, L.P.; Remaining Offered Shares has the meaning given in article 11.4.6. Reorganisation means any return of capital, bonus issue of shares or other securities of the Company by way of capitalisation of profits or reserves (other than a capitalisation issue in substitution for or as an alternative to a cash dividend which is made available to the Preferred Shareholders) or any consolidation or subdivision or any repurchase or redemption of shares or any variation in the subscription price or conversion rate applicable to any other outstanding shares of the Company; Reorganisation Actions has the meaning given in article 11.8.1; Requested Price has the meaning given in article 11.4.2(c); Requested Terms has the meaning given in article 11.4.2(e); Right of First Refusal has the meaning given in article 11.4.3; Right of First Refusal Invitation Notice has the meaning given in article 11.4.3; Sanofi means Sanofi Foreign Participations B.V. Series A Investment means the investment by V-BIO, AFB, BIVF, Pontifax, Omnes Funds, Torsten Dreier and Biodiscovery 5 for Preferred A Shares in the Company; |
| 14 Series A Investor Director has the meaning given in article 24.4; Series B Investment means the investment by, among others, Redmile, Cormorant, Walleye and Pfizer, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 2021 Shareholders’ Agreement, the 2021 Subscription Agreement and the 2022 Subscription Agreement; Series B Investor Director has the meaning given in article 24.3; Series C Investment means the investment by, among others, Fidelity, EQT and Dawn, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 2023 Shareholders’ Agreement and the 2023 Subscription Agreement; Series C Investor Director has the meaning given in article 24.2; Series D Investment means the investment by, among others, Sanofi, Invus, Fidelity and EQT, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the 2024 Subscription Agreement. Shareholder means a holder of one or more Shares in the Company; Shareholder Representative has the meaning given in article 11.7.3; Share Sale means the sale of (or the grant of a right to acquire or to dispose of) any of the Shares (in one transaction or as a series of transactions) which will result in the purchaser of those shares (or grantee of that right) and persons acting jointly with him acquiring a Controlling Interest, but for completeness, does not include a Holding Company Reorganisation; Shares means the Preferred D Shares, the Preferred C Shares, the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred A Shares, the Common Shares, the ESOP Common Shares and any other shares in the issued share capital of the Company from time to time; 2021 Shareholders’ Agreement means the shareholders’ agreement between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 5 March 2021; |
| 15 2023 Shareholders’ Agreement means the shareholders’ agreement between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 10 October 2023 (as amended on 8 July 2024); 2021 Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement relating to the Series B Investment between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 5 March 2021; 2022 Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement relating to the Series B Investment between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 24 June 2022; 2023 Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement relating to the Series C Investment between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 3 October 2023; 2024 Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement relating to the Series D Investment between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 22 October 2024; Subsidiary has the meaning of subsidiary (“dochtervennootschap” / “filiale”) as defined in article 1:15, 2°, of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations; Transfer or transfer means, when used with respect to Shares or Warrants, any transaction that has as its goal, or results in, the transfer of any ownership rights on such shares or warrants, for valuable consideration or for free, even when carried out by way of public auction, voluntarily or by virtue of a judicial decision, including, but not limited to, contributions, exchange transactions, transfers of universalities, transfers of business divisions, mergers, de-mergers, absorptions, liquidations or similar transactions, as well as the granting of options to purchase or sell such shares or warrants, the offer of (preferential) subscription rights on such shares or warrants or the conclusion of a swap, forward sale or other agreement, that completely or partly transfers the economic benefits or the ownership of such shares or warrants, regardless of the fact whether such a transaction is realized by means of delivery of |
| 16 other securities, in cash or otherwise; and transferred and transferring shall have a correlative meaning; Transfer Notice has the meaning given in article 11.4.1; Transferor has the meaning given in articles 11.4.1 and 11.5.1; Trustee in relation to a Shareholder means the trustee or the trustees of a Family Trust; and Warrants means the Anti-Dilution Warrants and Employee Stock Option Warrants and any other warrant issued by the Company. CHAPTER I. LEGAL FORM – NAME – REGISTERED OFFICE – PURPOSE – TERM. Article 1.-LEGAL FORM – NAME. 1.1 The Company is a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”), abbreviated “NV”. 1.2 Its name is “AgomAb Therapeutics”. 1.3 Its name has to be preceded or followed by the designation of the company form, or the abbreviation of such form. Article 2.-REGISTERED OFFICE. 2.1 The registered office of the Company is established in the Flemish Region. 2.2 It may be transferred to any other place in Belgium by decision of the Board, subject to the application of the laws on the use of languages. 2.3 The Company may, by decision of the Board, establish administrative offices and operating offices, branches, agencies and warehouses in Belgium or abroad. Article 3.-OBJECT. The Company has as its object, in Belgium as well as abroad, on its own behalf as well as on behalf of third parties, alone or in participation with third parties: (a) the scientific research, the clinical study, the identification, the testing, analysis and evaluation, of biological, chemical or natural products with therapeutic or diagnostic potential in the life science area in general and in the pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, veterinary sectors in particular, and the production, the marketing, the exploitation, the granting or taking of a license and in general performing all possible transactions regarding any pharmaceutical or affiliated products and formulations; |
| 17 (b) the worldwide distribution of, selling of and providing services with regard to the products of the Company directly to clients and also via third parties; (c) the setting up of, participating in, managing of, monitoring of and collaborating with companies and other enterprises, obtaining, maintaining, selling or by other means managing of participations and interests in other companies and enterprises; (d) the financing of companies and other enterprises, borrowing, lending and collecting of funds, the participation in financial transactions, including the issuance of bonds, debentures or other securities, and concluding of all agreements somehow related thereto, to enterprises and companies connected to the Company in a group and to third parties; (e) providing guarantees, binding of the Company and encumbering assets of the Company for the benefit of enterprises and companies with which the Company is affiliated in a group and for the benefit of third parties; (f) to acquire, manage, exploit and dispose of movable goods, immovable property and all asset values in general; (g) to trade in currencies, securities, movable goods, immovable property and asset values in general; (h) to acquire, exploit and trade in patents, trademarks, licenses, know-how and other industrial property rights; (i) to perform all types of industrial, financial and commercial activities. The Company may perform all civil, industrial, commercial, movable or immovable operations, directly or indirectly, totally or partially related to any section of its purpose, or that are of such a nature to enlarge the realization of its purpose or to facilitate it. The Company may in any way, participate in all companies or enterprises with a similar or a related purpose, or whose purposes are of such a nature to facilitate the realization of its own purpose. The Company may also enter into any agreement of cooperation, rationalization, association or other with such companies or enterprises. The Company may provide a guarantee or provide security, both by providing personal rights or rights in rem for the benefit of any physical or legal person, whether or not affiliated. It may execute the role of director, managing director (“zaakvoerder”/”gérant”) and liquidator. Article 4.-TERM. The Company is incorporated for an indefinite term. |
| 18 CHAPTER II. COMPANY’S CAPITAL AND SHARES. Article 5.-CAPITAL. The capital amounts to two hundred twenty-three million, seventy-one thousand, five hundred euro and sixteen cents (€ 223,071,500.16). It is represented by one million five hundred seventy-eight thousand five hundred twenty-two (1.578.522) registered shares without face value, of which: (a) twenty-five thousand (25,000) Common Shares; (b) two hundred and seventy-seven thousand two hundred and seventy-two (277,272) Preferred A Shares; (c) four hundred seventy-nine thousand forty (479,040) Preferred B Shares; (d) four hundred fifty-five thousand and four (455,004) Preferred C Shares; and e) three hundred forty-two thousand two hundred and six (342,206) Preferred D Shares. The capital is entirely and unconditionally subscribed for. Article 6.-PROFIT-SHARING CERTIFICATES, WARRANTS, CONVERTIBLE BONDS AND CERTIFICATES. The Company can issue profit sharing certificates, warrants, convertible bonds, or other securities. The Company can, for the benefit of the Company, collaborate with a third party for the issuance by this third party of certificates which represent the securities of the Company according to the provisions of article 7:61 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. The Company can decide to take charge of the costs connected to the certification and to the incorporation and functioning of the issuer of the certificates. The certificate-holders, the issuer of the certificates or third parties may only rely upon the collaboration of the Company for the issuance of the certificates, if the Company confirms its collaboration by writing to the issuer. The issuer of the certificates has to make himself known to the Company in this respect. The Company takes notice of this mentioning in the concerned register of securities. Article 7.-SHARES IN UNDIVISION OR CHARGED WITH TENANCY FOR LIFE. The shares are indivisible with regard to the Company. Joint owners must be represented with regard to the Company by one single person; as long as this is not the case, the rights attached to these shares shall be suspended. If no agreement can be reached between the titleholders, a competent judge may, upon request of the first party (including the company, as the case may be) to take action, appoint an interim administrator to exercise the concerned rights in the interest of the joint titleholders. If the shares belong to bare owners and usufructuaries all rights, including voting rights, shall be exercised by the usufructuary(ies). |
| 19 Article 8.-SERIES OF SHARES. 8.1 Series The shares are divided into the following classes: * Common Shares, * ESOP Common Shares, * Preferred A Shares, * Preferred B Shares, * Preferred C Shares, and * Preferred D Shares. All series of shares in the company shall benefit from the same rights and privileges unless specified otherwise in these articles or the Agreement. In the event of a transfer of shares, these shares shall remain allocated to the series of shares that they belonged to at the time of transfer. 8.2 Conversion 8.2.1 Irrespective of article 8.2.5, any holder of Preferred D Shares may at any time convert its Preferred D Shares, or any part of such Preferred D Shares and any declared but unpaid dividends (other than the Preferred D Dividend) into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 8.2.2 Irrespective of article 8.2.6, any holder of Preferred C Shares may at any time convert its Preferred C Shares, or any part of such Preferred C Shares and any declared but unpaid dividends (other than the Preferred C Dividend) into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 8.2.3 Irrespective of article 8.2.7, any holder of Preferred B Shares may at any time convert its Preferred B Shares, or any part of such Preferred B Shares and any declared but unpaid dividends (other than the Preferred B Dividend) into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 8.2.4 Irrespective of article 8.2.8, any holder of Preferred A Shares may at any time convert its Preferred A Shares, or any part of such Preferred A Shares and any declared but unpaid dividends (other than the Preferred A Dividend) into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 8.2.5 All of the Preferred D Shares shall mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio: (A) on the date of receipt by the Company of written notice given by Preferred D Majority Consent requiring conversion of the Preferred D Shares; |
| 20 or (B) immediately upon the occurrence of a Qualifying IPO. 8.2.6 All of the Preferred C Shares shall mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio: (A) on the date of receipt by the Company of written notice given by Preferred C Majority Consent requiring conversion of the Preferred C Shares; or (B) immediately upon the occurrence of a Qualifying IPO. 8.2.7 All of the Preferred B Shares shall mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio: (A) on the date of receipt by the company of written notice given by Preferred B Majority Consent requiring conversion of the Preferred B Shares; or (B) immediately upon the occurrence of a Qualifying IPO. 8.2.8 All of the Preferred A Shares shall mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio: (A) on the date of receipt by the Company of written notice given by Preferred A Majority Consent requiring conversion of the Preferred A Shares; or (B) immediately upon the occurrence of a Qualifying IPO. 8.2.9 The ESOP Common Shares will mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio on the occurrence of an IPO. 8.2.10 The Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate will mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the applicable conversion rate set out in article 39.8 on the occurrence of an IPO. 8.2.11 Upon any conversion of Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares or Preferred A Shares, all entitlements to the Preferred Dividend, and/or Outstanding A Liquidity Preference, Outstanding B Liquidity Preference, Outstanding C Liquidity Preference and/or Outstanding D Liquidity Preference in respect of all Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares and/or Preferred A Shares (as the case may be) being converted shall be cancelled and all entitlements to any Catch-Up Amount in respect of all Common Shares shall be cancelled, it being understood, however, that such cancellation shall have no retroactive effect on the distribution of the Outstanding A Liquidity Preference (or part of it), the Outstanding B Liquidity Preference (or part of it), Outstanding C Liquidity Preference (or part of it) and/or the Outstanding D Liquidity Preference (or part of it) to holders of Preferred Shares or the distribution (or part of it) of the Catch-Up Amount to the holders of Common Shares, which may have occurred prior to such conversion. 8.2.12 The Conversion Ratio, shall from time to time be adjusted if any Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares, Preferred A Shares or ESOP Common Shares remain capable of being converted into Common Shares and (A) there is a consolidation and/or sub-division of Common Shares, in which case the Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted by an amount that in the opinion of the Board is fair and reasonable, to maintain the right to convert so as to ensure that each holder of Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares, Preferred A Shares and/or ESOP Common Shares (as the case may be) is in no better or worse |
| 21 position as a result of such consolidation or sub-division, such adjustment to become effective immediately after such consolidation or sub-division; or (B) there is an allotment of fully paid Common Shares pursuant to a capitalisation of profits or reserves to holders of Common Shares, in which case the Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted by an amount that in the opinion of the Board is fair and reasonable, to maintain the right to convert so as to ensure that each holder of Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares, Preferred A Shares and/or ESOP Common Shares (as the case may be) is in no better or worse position as a result of such capitalisation of profits or reserves, such adjustment to become effective as at the record date for such issue. 8.2.13 Following a conversion pursuant to this article 8.2, the Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than five (5) Business Days after conversion, enter the holders of the converted Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate, Preferred Shares or ESOP Common Shares in to the share register of the Company as the holders of the appropriate number of Common Shares and forward a definitive share certificate for the appropriate number of fully paid Common Shares to such holder of converted shares, by post to his address as shown in the share register of the Company free of charge. Article 9.-SHARES NOT FULLY PAID-UP – OBLIGATION TO PAY UP. The commitment to pay up a share in full is unconditional and indivisible. If shares not fully paid up belong to several persons undividedly, each of them is responsible for the payment of the full amount of the called up payments due. Any additional or full payment shall be requested by the Board at a time to be determined by it. The Shareholders shall be notified of this by registered letter, stating a bank account to which payment, to the exclusion of any other means of payment, must be made by bank transfer or deposit. The Shareholder shall be in default by the mere expiry of the period specified in the notification and interest shall be due to the Company at the statutory interest rate specified at that time. As long as the requested payments due on a share have not been made in accordance with this provision, the exercise of all associated membership rights shall remain suspended. If the Shareholder fails to comply with the notice of default sent by the Board by registered letter after the expiry of the period determined by the Board, the Board may have the shares concerned sold in the most appropriate manner, without prejudice to the Company’s right to claim from the Shareholder the outstanding payment as well as any damages. In addition, in the event of a transfer of shares that are not fully paid up, the transferor and transferee shall, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, be jointly and severally liable for full payment. In the case of successive transfers, all successive transferees shall be jointly and severally liable in accordance with the provisions of article 7:77 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. Early payments on shares may not be made without the prior consent of the Board. |
| 22 Article 10.-CAPITAL INCREASE. 10.1 Capital increase by contribution in cash Unless waived in writing by holders of not less than seventy-five per cent. (75%) of the Shares (including the Preferred C Majority and the Preferred D Majority), with respect to any specific capital increase, in the event of a capital increase by contribution in cash, each Shareholder has, in accordance with the provisions of articles 7:188 et seq. of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, a preferential right to subscribe to the newly issued shares in proportion to his participation in the capital (“pro rata participationis”) and calculated on an As-Converted Basis and fully diluted basis, it being understood that, with respect to Fidelity and EQT, any preferential subscription rights that Fidelity and EQT, respectively, may have pursuant to this article 10.1, cannot be waived without Fidelity’s and EQT’s respective consent. In case of different classes of shares, the holders of such class of shares will have a first preferential subscription right to subscribe to newly issued shares of such class. The Shareholders will also have the right to acquire the pro rata share (calculated on an As Converted Basis and fully diluted basis) of a Shareholder who does not exercise his legal preferential subscription right. The terms and conditions for the exercise of this preferential subscription right are laid down in the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. 10.2 The rights set out in article 10.1 shall not apply to: (a) the issue of any Employee Stock Option Warrants or the issue of any ESOP Common Shares on the exercise of any Employee Stock Option Warrant or the grant of any ESOP Common Shares or rights over ESOP Common Shares under the ESOP Stock Option Plan; (b) the issue of any new Preferred D Shares in accordance with the terms of the 2024 Subscription Agreement; (c) the issue of any Anti-Dilution Warrants or shares issued on the exercise of any Anti-Dilution Warrants; (d) Shares or options or other rights over Shares issued or granted to the Shareholders in accordance with the terms of any shareholders’ agreement or similar document in force between the Shareholders and the Company from time to time; and (e) the issue of Shares following the conversion of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate. Article 11.-TRANSFER OF SHARES ISSUED BY THE COMPANY. 11.1 Conditions precedent to any transfer 11.1.1 References in this article 11 to Shares shall also be construed to mean any other securities in the Company, unless explicitly provided otherwise. |
| 23 Subject to the provisions set forth in this article 11, the Shareholders cannot transfer any Shares to any person or legal entity and any such transfer of Shares shall not be enforceable towards the other Shareholders and the Company unless: A. the transferring Shareholder notifies the Board in writing of the proposed transfer of Shares at least (i) ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective transfer to a Permitted Transferee (except if the proposed transfer of Shares is due to any change of law, regulation or rule which makes it unlawful for the transferring Shareholder to hold the Shares, in which case the transferring Shareholder notifies the Board as soon as possible after being informed of the relevant events requiring the transfer) or (ii) twenty (20) Business Days prior to the effective transfer for any other transfer (the Confirmation Notice); and B. the proposed transferee is a party to the Agreement or has signed an Accession Deed. 11.1.2 The Confirmation Notice must contain (i) the surname, full name, address, occupation, or in the case of a corporate entity the corporate name and registered office of the transferee, (ii) the number and classes of Shares that are transferred, (iii) the price and the conditions (save for the transfers to a Permitted Transferee referred to under paragraph (c) of the corresponding definition of this expression), and (iv) a copy of the Accession Deed duly executed by the transferee, as mentioned in article 11.1.1. above. 11.2 Permitted Transfers 11.2.1 Subject to the accomplishment of the conditions precedents set forth in article 11.1, a Shareholder (the Original Shareholder) may transfer all or any of his or its Shares to a Permitted Transferee without restriction as to price or otherwise. 11.2.2 A Permitted Transferee may transfer some or all of their Shares back to the Original Shareholder or to another Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder without restriction as to price or otherwise. Such transferee shall be deemed a Permitted Transferee. 11.2.3 Where under the provision of a deceased Shareholder’s will or laws as to intestacy, the persons legally or beneficially entitled to any Shares, whether immediately or contingently, are Permitted Transferees of the deceased Shareholder, the legal representative of the deceased Shareholder may transfer any Share to those Permitted Transferees, in each case without restriction as to price or otherwise. Shares previously transferred as permitted by this article 11.2.3 may be transferred by the transferee to any other Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder without restriction as to price or otherwise. 11.2.4 If a Permitted Transferee who was a Member of the Same Group as the Original Shareholder ceases to be a Member of the Same Group as the Original Shareholder, the Permitted Transferee must not later than ten (10) Business Days after the date |
| 24 on which the Permitted Transferee so ceases, transfer the Shares held by it to the Original Shareholder or a Member of the Same Group as the Original Shareholder (which in either case is not in liquidation) without restriction as to price or otherwise failing which it will be deemed to have given a Transfer Notice in respect of those Shares. This article 11.2.4 may be disapplied in respect of any particular transfer to a Permitted Transferee by Preferred Majority Consent. 11.2.5 Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Original Shareholder, if a Permitted Transferee who was a Member of the Same Fund Group as the Original Shareholder ceases to be a Member of the Same Fund Group, the Permitted Transferee must not later than five (5) Business Days after the date on which the Permitted Transferee so ceases, transfer the Shares held by it to the Original Shareholder or a Member of the Same Fund Group as the Original Shareholder (which in either case is not in liquidation) without restriction as to price or otherwise failing which it will be deemed to give a Transfer Notice in respect of such Shares on the first Business Day after the expiry of that five Business Day period. This article 11.2.5 may be disapplied in respect of any particular transfer to a Permitted Transferee by Preferred Majority Consent or by decision of the Board. 11.2.6 Trustees, nominees of custodians may (i) transfer Shares to a Qualifying Company or (ii) transfer Shares to the Original Shareholder or to another Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder or (iii) transfer Shares to the new or remaining trustees upon a change of Trustees without restrictions as to price or otherwise. 11.2.7 No transfer of Shares may be made to Trustees unless the Board is satisfied: (a) with the terms of the trust instrument and in particular with the powers of the Trustees; (b) with the identity of the proposed Trustees; (c) the proposed transfer will not result in 50 per cent. or more of the aggregate of the Company’s share capital being held by Trustees of that and any other trusts; and (d) that no costs incurred in connection with the setting up or administration of the Family Trust in question are to be paid by the Company. 11.2.8 If a Permitted Transferee who is a Qualifying Company of the Original Shareholder ceases to be a Qualifying Company of the Original Shareholder, it must within five (5) Business Days of so ceasing, transfer the Shares held by it to the Original Shareholder (or, to any Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder) (and may do so without restriction as to price or otherwise) failing which it will be deemed (unless it obtains the approval of the Board), to have given a Transfer Notice in respect of such Shares on the first Business Day after the expiry of that five (5) Business Day period. 11.2.9 If a Permitted Transferee who is a spouse or civil partner of the Original |
| 25 Shareholder ceases to be a spouse or civil partner of the Original Shareholder whether by reason of divorce or otherwise he must, within 15 Business Days of so ceasing either: (a) execute and deliver to the Company a transfer of the Shares held by him to the Original Shareholder (or, to any Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder) for such consideration as may be agreed between them; or (b) give a Transfer Notice to the Company in accordance with article 11.4, failing which he shall be deemed to have given a Transfer Notice on the first Business Day after the expiry of that 15 Business Day period. 11.2.10On the death (subject to article 11.2.3), bankruptcy, liquidation, administration or administrative receivership of a Permitted Transferee (other than a joint holder) his personal representatives or trustee in bankruptcy, or its liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver must within five (5) Business Days after the date of the grant of probate, the making of the bankruptcy order or the appointment of the liquidator, administrator or the administrative receiver (as applicable) execute and deliver to the Company a proof of a transfer of the Shares held by the Permitted Transferee without restriction as to price or otherwise. The transfer shall be to the Original Shareholder if still living (and not bankrupt or in liquidation) or, if so directed by the Original Shareholder, to any Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder. If the transfer is not executed and delivered within five (5) Business Days of such period or if the Original Shareholder has died or is bankrupt or is in liquidation, administration or administrative receivership, the personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy or liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver (as applicable) will be deemed to have given a Transfer Notice on the first Business Day after the expiry of that five Business Day period. 11.2.11A transfer of any Shares approved by the Board (acting by majority vote that includes an affirmative vote from at least one Investor Director) may be made without restriction as to price or otherwise and with any such conditions as may be imposed. 11.2.12Any Shares may at any time be transferred where there is a sale of the entire issued share capital of the Company to a Holding Company, pursuant to a Proposed Reorganisation. 11.2.13Any Shares may be transferred at any time pursuant to the exercise of a call option, in accordance with the Agreement. 11.3 Founder and Key Manager Restrictions The Founders and Key Manager may not transfer their securities of the company within the first two (2) years after 4 November 2024, except: (i) the unrestricted transfers pursuant to article 11.2 (except article 11.2.11), |
| 26 (ii) pursuant to the application of the Drag Along Right, as set out in article 11.7, (iii) pursuant to the exercise of a call option, in accordance with the Agreement, or (iv) with Preferred Majority Consent. 11.4 Right of first refusal 11.4.1 Without prejudice to the other provisions of article 11 (and in particular to the rights included in article 11.2), in the event that a Shareholder (the Transferor) wishes to transfer any or all of his Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) (the Offered Shares) to any person other than a Permitted Transferee of such Shareholder, he shall first give written notice of such intention to the Board (the Transfer Notice). For the avoidance of any doubt, the Transfer Notice can be part of the Confirmation Notice. Accordingly, upon receipt of the Transfer Notice, the condition precedent as set out in article 11.1.1.A. shall be deemed to be fulfilled. 11.4.2 The Transfer Notice shall: (a) specify the number and class of the Offered Shares and the percentage they represent of the total number of shares held by the Transferor; (b) specify if the Transferor wishes to transfer the Offered Shares to a third party, the name of the proposed transferee; (c) specify the requested price per Offered Share (the Requested Price); (d) specify the anticipated closing date for the transfer of the Offered Shares; and (e) fully describe the other terms and conditions on which the Transferor has agreed to transfer the Offered Shares (the Requested Terms). If no cash price is specified by the Transferor, the Requested Price must be agreed by the Board. In addition, if the Requested Price is not specified in cash, an equivalent cash value price must be agreed between the Transferor and the Board. In both cases, the price will be deemed to be the Fair Value of the Offered Shares if no price is agreed within five (5) Business Days of the Company receiving the Transfer Notice. Delivery of a Transfer Notice constitutes the Company as the agent of the Transferor for the sale of the Offered Shares at the Requested Price. 11.4.3 The Board shall give written notice to the Major Investors in order to enable each Major Investor to exercise a right of first refusal (the Right of First Refusal) on such Offered Shares, within ten (10) Business Days following the receipt by the Board of the Transfer Notice (the Right of First Refusal Invitation Notice). The Right of First Refusal Invitation Notice shall include a copy of the Transfer Notice. 11.4.4 Each Major Investor who wishes to purchase Offered Shares at the Requested Price |
| 27 and under the Requested Terms shall within ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of the Right of First Refusal Invitation Notice, notify the Board thereof, indicating the number of Offered Shares that it wishes to purchase. Any Major Investor who does not notify the Board within such period of ten (10) Business Days shall be deemed not to exercise its Right of First Refusal. 11.4.5 If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4 in aggregate for more than one hundred percent (100%) of the Offered Shares, each Major Investor who exercised its Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4 shall be allocated a number of Offered Shares pro rata to its shareholding compared to the other Major Investors who exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4, provided that such Major Investor shall not be allocated more Offered Shares than it requested to purchase. If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4 in aggregate for one hundred percent (100%) or less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Offered Shares, each such Major Investor shall be allocated the number of Offered Shares that it requested to purchase. 11.4.6 If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4 in aggregate for less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Offered Shares, the Board shall, within five (5) Business Days following the expiry of the period provided for in article 11.4.4, send a written notice hereof to all Major Investors that exercised their Right of First Refusal in the first round. These Major Investors shall have a Right of First Refusal on the Offered Shares that are not taken in the first round (the Remaining Offered Shares). 11.4.7 Each Major Investor who wishes to purchase the Remaining Offered Shares at the Requested Price and under the Requested Terms shall within five (5) Business Days following receipt of the notice provided for in article 11.4.6, notify the Board thereof, indicating the number of Remaining Offered Shares that it wishes to purchase. Any Major Investor who does not notify the Board within such period of five (5) Business Days shall be deemed not to exercise its second Right of First Refusal. 11.4.8 If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.7 in aggregate for more than one hundred percent (100%) of the Remaining Offered Shares, the Remaining Offered Shares shall be allocated to the Major Investors who exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.7 pro rata, compared to the other Major Investors who exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.7, with respect to the number of Remaining Offered Shares they requested to purchase. If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.7 in aggregate for one hundred percent (100%) of the Remaining Offered Shares or less, each such Major Investor shall be allocated the number of Remaining Offered Shares that it requested to purchase. 11.4.9 The Board shall inform the Transferor and the Major Investors, who exercised any Right of First Refusal, in writing of the final outcome of the Right of First Refusal |
| 28 procedure set out in articles 11.4.1 to 11.4.8 (including) within five (5) Business Days following the expiry of the period set out in article 11.4.4 or article 11.4.7, as the case may be. 11.4.10Contrary to article 1583 of the (former) Belgian Civil Code and subject to article 11.4.11, the ownership of the Offered Shares purchased by a Major Investor shall be transferred to such purchasing Major Investor upon payment by him of the Requested Price per purchased Offered Share within sixty (60) calendar days following the date of his first notice informing the Transferor that he wishes to purchase Offered Shares. Upon payment of the Requested Price and compliance with the specified terms and conditions, the Board shall have the power to record the transfer in the Company’s share register. 11.4.11If the Major Investors have not exercised their Rights of First Refusal with respect to all the Offered Shares or Remaining Offered Shares (any such Shares being the Unrestricted Shares), the Unrestricted Shares become freely transferable by the Transferor (subject to article 11.5 below) during a period of six (6) months as from the date of the Transfer Notice at a price not less than the Requested Price and under terms and conditions similar not more favourable than the Requested Terms. For transfers after this six (6) months’ period the procedure set out in this article 11.4 will have to be applied again. 11.4.12In the event that a Major Investor has any specific requirements around settlement of the purchase price in respect of any transfer pursuant to this article 11.4, such Major Investor shall communicate such request to the Board who shall seek to accommodate such requirements (insofar as reasonable) in the process set out above. 11.4A Valuation of Shares 11.4A.1 If no Requested Price can be agreed between the Transferor and the Board in accordance with provisions of article 11.4.2 or otherwise then, on the date of failing agreement, the Board shall either: (a) appoint an expert valuer in accordance with article 11.4A.2 (the Expert Valuer) to certify the Fair Value of the Offered Shares; or (b) if the Fair Value has been certified by an Expert Valuer within the preceding 12 weeks, specify that the Fair Value of the Offered Shares will be calculated by dividing any Fair Value so certified by the number of Offered Shares to which it related and multiplying such Fair Value by the number of Offered Shares the subject of the Transfer Notice. 11.4A.2 The Expert Valuer will be either: (a) the Statutory Auditor; or |
| 29 (b) if otherwise agreed by the Board (acting by majority vote that includes an affirmative vote from at least one Investor Director) and the Transferor, an independent firm of Chartered Accountants to be agreed between the Board and the Transferor. 11.4A.3 The Fair Value of the Offered Shares shall be determined by the Expert Valuer on the following assumptions and bases: (a) valuing the Offered Shares as on an arm’s-length sale between a willing seller and a willing buyer; (b) if the Company is then carrying on business as a going concern, on the assumption that it will continue to do so; (c) that the Offered Shares are capable of being transferred without restriction; (d) valuing the Offered Shares as a rateable proportion of the total value of all the issued Shares (excluding any Shares held in treasury) without any premium or discount being attributable to the percentage of the issued share capital of the Company which they represent but taking account of the rights attaching to the Offered Shares; and (e) reflect any other factors which the Expert Valuer reasonably believes should be taken into account. 11.4A.4 If any difficulty arises in applying any of these assumptions or bases then the Expert Valuer shall resolve that difficulty in whatever manner it shall in its absolute discretion think fit. 11.4A.5 The Expert Valuer shall be requested to determine the Fair Value within 20 Business Days of its appointment and to notify the Board of their determination. 11.4A.6 The Expert Valuer shall act as expert and not as arbitrators and their determination shall be final and binding on the parties (in the absence of fraud or manifest error); 11.4A.7 The Board will give the Expert Valuer access to all accounting records or other relevant documents of the Company subject to them agreeing to such confidentiality provisions as the Board may reasonably impose. 11.4A.8 The Expert Valuer shall deliver its certificate to the Company. As soon as the Company receives the certificate it shall deliver a copy of it to the Transferor. 11.4A.9 Unless the Board (acting by majority vote that includes an affirmative vote from at least one Investor Director) determines otherwise, the cost of obtaining the certificate shall be borne by the Transferor. |
| 30 11.5 Co-Sale Right 11.5.1 Without prejudice to the other provisions of article 11, no transfer of any Common Shares held by a Founder or Key Manager may be made or validly registered unless the relevant Founder or Key Manager and any Permitted Transferee of that Founder or Key Manager (the Key Transferor) shall have observed the following procedures of this article 11.5 unless it has been determined, by Preferred Majority Consent, that this article 11.5 shall not apply to such transfer. 11.5.2 For the purposes of disapplying the procedures of article 11.5, any Shares held by a Key Transferor or its Affiliates shall be excluded from contributing towards the Preferred Majority Consent. 11.5.3 After the Key Transferor has gone through the Right of First Refusal process set out in article 11.4, the Key Transferor shall give the Company and each Major Investor (an Equity Holder) not less than 15 Business Days’ notice in advance of the proposed sale (a Co-Sale Notice). The Co-Sale Notice shall specify: (a) the identity of the proposed purchaser (the Buyer); (b) the number of Common Shares which the Key Transferor proposes to sell; (c) the price per share which the Buyer is proposing to pay to the Key Transferor and the Equity Holder; (d) the manner in which the consideration is to be paid; and (e) the address where the counter-notice should be sent. 11.5.4 The Company shall have five (5) Business Days to decide by approval of the Board (including at least two (2) Investor Directors) whether it wishes to acquire all of the Common Shares offered by the Transferor at the proposed price by sending a counter-notice to the Buyer and the Equity Holders. Upon service of the counter-notice on the Transferor by the Company, the Transferor must, against payment of the purchase price, transfer the Common Shares to the Company in the terms set out in the Co-Sale Notice. 11.5.5 If the Company does not elect to exercise its purchase right in article 11.5.3 and does not serve a counter-notice on the Transferor and the Equity Holders, the Equity Holders shall have a further ten (10) Business Days to notify the Transferor that they wish to sell a certain number of Shares held by them at the proposed sale price, by sending a counter-notice which shall specify the number of Shares which such Equity Holder wishes to sell. The maximum number of shares which an Equity Holder can sell under this procedure shall be: ( X )xz y |
| 31 Where: X = is the number of Preferred Shares held by the Equity Holder; Y = is the total number of Preferred Shares held by the Equity Holders; and Z = is the number of Common Shares the Transferor proposes to sell. Any Equity Holder who does not send a counter-notice within such ten (10) Business Day period shall be deemed to have specified that they wish to sell no Shares. 11.5.6 Following the expiry of fifteen (15) Business Days from the date the Equity Holders receive the Co-Sale Notice, the Transferor shall be entitled to sell to the Buyer on the terms notified to the Equity Holders a number of Shares not exceeding the number specified in the Co-Sale Notice less any Shares which Equity Holders have indicated they wish to sell, provided that (i) at the same time the Buyer (or another person) purchases from the Equity Holders the number of Shares they have respectively indicated they wish to sell on terms no less favourable than those obtained by the Transferor from the Buyer, (ii) the Equity Holders shall not be required to agree to any restrictive covenant in connection with such sale (including without limitation any covenant not to compete or any covenant not to solicit customers, employee or suppliers of any party to such sale), and (iii) no Equity Holder shall be required to provide any representations, warranties, indemnities or covenants in connection with such sale, except warranties in regard of such Equity Holder’s title to the Shares to be transferred and such Equity Holder’s capacity to enter into the transactions required to execute such sale. 11.5.7 No sale by the Transferor shall be made pursuant to any Co-Sale Notice more than three (3) months after service of that Co-Sale Notice. 11.5.8 Transfers of Shares made by Equity Holders exercising their Co-Sale Right in accordance with this article 11.5 shall not be subject to article 11.4. 11.6 Control tag along right 11.6.1 Without prejudice to the other provisions of article 11, in case a Shareholder and/or a bona fide third party obtain(s), individually or jointly, a Decisive Influence (as defined hereafter) in the Company (the Decisive Shareholder), each of the Major Investors (except for the Decisive Shareholder) has a put option to transfer all of its Shares, subject, however, to the Right of First Refusal set out in article 11.4, to the Decisive Shareholder (the Control Tag Along Right), regardless whether such a Decisive Influence has been obtained through the transfer of Shares, the subscription of shares or otherwise. 11.6.2 Such person shall have a Decisive Influence in the Company in case it, together with its Affiliates, Member of the Same Group and/or Member of the Same Funds Group acquires, directly or indirectly, control over the Company as defined in |
| 32 article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. 11.6.3 The Control Tag Along Right shall be exercisable by the Major Investors at a price per Share computed as the highest per share paid by the Decisive Shareholder over the last twelve (12) months to obtain a Decisive Influence in the Company. 11.6.4 The Decisive Shareholder shall give notice hereof to the Board (the Decisive Influence Notice), within ten (10) Business Days following the event pursuant to which he obtained a Decisive Influence on the Company. 11.6.5 The Board shall give written notice to each of the Major Investors: (a) in the event a Shareholder and/or a bona fide third party obtain(s), individually or jointly, a Decisive Influence in the Company or (b) of the Decisive Influence Notice (as the case may be), within five (5) Business Days following respectively (i) a Shareholder and/or a bona fide third party obtaining, individually or jointly, a Decisive Influence in the Company or (ii) receipt of the Decisive Influence Notice, in order to allow each of the Major Investors to exercise their Control Tag Along Right (the Control Tag Along Invitation Notice). 11.6.6 The Major Investors wishing to exercise their Control Tag Along Right shall, within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt of the Control Tag Along Invitation Notice, so notify the Decisive Shareholder and the Board in writing (the Control Tag Along Exercise Notice). Any Major Investor who does not notify the Board within such period of twenty (20) Business Days shall be deemed not to exercise its Control Tag Along Right. 11.6.7 The price for the Shares of the Major Investors who exercised their Control Tag Along Right shall be paid by the Decisive Shareholder and the Shares shall be transferred to the Decisive Shareholder at the latest ten (10) Business Days following receipt by the Decisive Shareholder of the Control Tag Along Exercise Notice. 11.6.8 The expenses incurred in respect of any work relating to the exercise of the Control Tag Along Right, including, but not limited to, any legal costs and fees, shall be borne by each of the Major Investors who exercised their Control Tag Along Right pro rata their respective part of the total amount of the proceeds paid for the shares by the Decisive Shareholder to the respective Major Investors. 11.6.9 In connection with a sale pursuant to the exercise of their Control Tag Along Right, the Major Investors shall not be required to (i) agree to any restrictive covenant (including without limitation any covenant not to compete or any covenant not to solicit customers, employee or suppliers of any party to such sale), (ii) provide any |
| 33 representations, warranties, indemnities or covenants in connection with such sale, except warranties in regard of such Major Investor’s title to the Shares to be transferred and such Major Investor’s capacity to enter into the transactions required to execute such sale. 11.7 Drag Along Right 11.7.1 If the Preferred Majority propose to transfer all of their interest in the Shares (the Preferred Shareholders agreeing to such proposal the Dragging Parties) with a bona fide transferee (the Prospective Transferee) in a transaction that is approved by the Board (following a majority vote including an affirmative vote from an Investor Director): A. the Right of First Refusal set forth in article 11.4, the Co-Sale Right set forth in article 11.5 and the Control Tag Along Right set forth in article 11.6 shall not be applicable; and B. the Dragging Parties may require each of the holders of Shares and any holders of rights to subscribe for shares (including through conversion) (the Dragged Parties) to sell and transfer their Shares and rights to the Prospective Transferee as part of such proposed transaction (or such other actions as necessary to effect the relevant transaction) upon the same terms and conditions, as accepted by the Dragging Parties (it being understood, however, that Securities giving right to shares shall be considered on a “per share, as if exercised/converted basis”, deducting their exercise/conversion price per Share) (the Drag Along Right). In the event that the consideration to be paid to the holders of Preferred C Shares in the proposed transaction is less than 2.0x the Preferred C Issue Price (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), the Preferred C Majority Consent shall be required to effect the Drag Along Right with respect to the Preferred C Shares. In the event that the consideration to be paid to the holders of Preferred D Shares in the proposed transaction is less than 2.0x the Preferred D Issue Price (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), the Preferred D Majority Consent shall be required to effect the Drag Along Right with respect to the Preferred D Shares. 11.7.2 The consideration (payable in cash or otherwise) for which the Dragged Parties shall be obliged to sell each of their Shares shall be that to which they would be entitled if the total consideration proposed to be paid, allotted or transferred by the Prospective Transferee were distributed to the Dragged Parties and the Dragging Parties in accordance with the provisions of article 35. 11.7.3 In the event that the Dragging Parties, in connection with the Drag Along Right, appoint a shareholder representative approved by Preferred Majority Consent (a Shareholder Representative), with respect to matters affecting the Shareholders under the applicable definitive transaction agreements following completion of the transaction, each Dragged Party shall be deemed (i) to consent to: (x) the appointment of such Shareholder Representative; (y) the establishment of any |
| 34 applicable escrow, holdback, expense or similar fund in connection with any indemnification or similar obligations; and (z) the payment of such Dragged Party’s applicable portion (from the applicable escrow, holdback fund or expense fund or otherwise) of any and all reasonable and properly incurred fees and expenses of such Shareholder Representative, in each case in connection with such Shareholder Representative’s services and duties in connection with such Drag Along Right and its related service as the representative of the Dragged Parties; and (ii) not to assert any claim or commence any suit against the Shareholder Representative or any other Shareholder with respect to any action or inaction taken or failed to be taken by the Shareholder Representative in connection with its service as the Shareholder Representative, absent gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Shareholder Representative. 11.7.4 The Dragging Parties (or one or more persons designated by them) shall inform the Board in writing of their decision to exercise their Drag Along Rights, together with: (i) the name of the party to whom the Shares are being sold; (ii) the consideration for the Shares being sold (calculated in accordance with article 35; and (iii) the proposed date of the transfer and sale (the Drag Along Notice). For the avoidance of any doubt, the Drag Along Notice can be part of the Transfer Notice, as the case may be. The Board shall, within five (5) Business Days as of the date of the Drag Along Notice, inform the Dragged Parties thereof. Following the payment of the consideration for the Shares being sold, the Shares and, as the case may be, any other Securities of the Company of the Dragged Parties, shall transfer automatically and by operation of law to the Prospective Transferee in accordance with the above. 11.7.5 In the event that a Dragged Party does not provide the Prospective Transferee, within twenty (20) Business Days from the date on which the information is given by the Board, with the necessary details or other assistance to enable the Prospective Transferee to make the payment, then the Prospective Transferee shall make the payment to the Company, which shall hold the funds for and on behalf of the Dragged Party concerned and which shall transfer those funds, at the first request of such Dragged Party, to the latter (without any interest). 11.7.6 The ownership of the relevant shares shall be transferred at the date the ownership of the shares of the Dragging Parties is transferred to the Prospective Transferee. The Board or the persons designated by it shall have the power to record the transfer in the share register of the Company. 11.7.7 The expenses incurred in respect of any work relating to the exercise of the Drag Along Right, including, but not limited to, any legal costs and fees, shall be borne by each of the Shareholders pro rata their respective part of the total amount of the proceeds paid for the shares by the Prospective Transferee. 11.7.8 In connection with a sale pursuant to the exercise of the Drag Along Right and except with their consent, Dawn, Sanofi and the Major Investors that are Dragged Parties shall not be required to (i) agree to any restrictive covenant (including |
| 35 without limitation any covenant not to compete or any covenant not to solicit customers, employee or suppliers of any party to such sale) and (ii) provide any representations, warranties, indemnities or covenants in connection with such sale, except warranties in regard of Dawn’s, Sanofi’s or such Major Investor’s (as applicable) title to the Shares to be transferred and Dawn’s, Sanofi’s or such Major Investor’s (as applicable) capacity to enter into the transactions required to execute such sale. In addition to the foregoing, (i) the liability of Fidelity, Dawn, Canaan, Redmile, Pfizer, BIVF, EQT and Sanofi shall be (x) several (and not joint), (y) pro rata the number of Shares transferred and (z) capped at the amount of proceeds received by each of them, and (ii) Fidelity, Pfizer, BIVF, EQT and Sanofi shall not be required to provide any release of claims other than a release in customary form arising from its capacity as a Shareholder. Such exceptions as they relate to Fidelity, Dawn, Canaan, Redmile, Pfizer, BIVF, EQT and Sanofi, respectively, may only be waived with Fidelity’s, Dawn’s, Canaan’s, Redmile’s, Pfizer’s, BIVF’s, EQT’s and Sanofi’s respective written consent. A Dragged Party shall not be required to and shall not in any way be bound by any provisions of any instrument of transfer or other documents which would purport to require any such person to amend, extend or terminate any contractual or other relationship with the Company, the acquirer or their respective affiliates, except that a Dragged Party may be required to agree to terminate the investment-related documents between or among such Dragged Party, the Company and/or other Shareholders of the Company. 11.8 Holding Company Reorganisation 11.8.1 In the event of a Holding Company Reorganisation approved by: (i) Preferred Majority Consent and (ii) the Board (a Proposed Reorganisation), each Shareholder shall: (x) consent to, vote for, raise no objections to and waive any applicable rights in connection with the Proposed Reorganisation; and (y) take all such actions to tender their Shares as required pursuant to the Proposed Reorganisation, including, inter alia, the execution of a power of attorney by each Shareholder (except for Fidelity) approving the appointment of one or more Directors (or directors of the new Holding Company) as the Shareholder’s attorney to take all such actions for and on behalf of such Shareholder (the Reorganisation Actions). The Shareholders shall be required to take all Reorganisation Actions with respect to the Proposed Reorganisation as are reasonably required by the Board to facilitate the Proposed Reorganisation provided that nothing in this article 11.8.1 shall require any Shareholder to take any unlawful action or step. If any Shareholder (other than Fidelity) fails to comply with the provisions of this article 11.8, the Company shall be constituted as the agent of each defaulting Shareholder for taking such Reorganisation Actions as are necessary to effect the Proposed Reorganisation and the Directors shall be empowered to execute and deliver on behalf of such defaulting Shareholder the necessary documents to effect the Proposed Reorganisation, including, without limitation, any share exchange agreement and/or stock transfer form(s) and/or indemnity for any lost share certificate(s). |
| 36 11.8.2 The Company shall procure that the new Holding Company shall ensure that the shares issued by it to the Shareholders (or a subsequent holder, as the case may be) pursuant to the Holding Company Reorganisation will be fully paid-up as to the amount determined in accordance with this article 11.8 and which new shares shall be subject to the constitutional documents of the new Holding Company and otherwise (subject to the express provisions of such constitutional documents) have the same rights as all other new Holding Company shares of the same class in issue at the time (other than as regards any dividend or other distribution payable by reference to a record date preceding the date of allotment and issue of such new Holding Company shares). 11.8.3 On any person, following the date of completion of a Holding Company Reorganisation, becoming a Shareholder pursuant to the exercise of a pre-existing option or warrant giving the right to acquire Shares in the Company or pursuant to the conversion of any convertible security of the Company or otherwise (a New Reorganisation Shareholder), the New Reorganisation Shareholder shall then be bound to do all such acts and things necessary in order to transfer all such resulting Shares to the new Holding Company, and the provisions of this article 11.8 shall apply with the necessary changes to the New Reorganisation Shareholder provided that nothing in this article 11.8 shall require any such New Reorganisation Shareholder to take any unlawful action or step. 11.9 Lock Up 11.9.1 Other than the sale of any Shares to an underwriter pursuant to an underwriting agreement, each Shareholder shall only be required to enter into a separate lock-up agreement in respect of (or similar undertaking in relation to the retention, disposal or manner of disposal of) the Shares held by it immediately prior to an IPO, for not more than 180 days after the completion of the IPO in a form approved by the Board acting with Preferred Majority Consent if and to the extent reasonably required by the Company’s underwriters in order to facilitate an IPO, provided that: (a) all directors, officers of the Company and holders of at least 1% of the issued share capital (on an As Converted Basis) enters into a similar lock-up agreement or undertaking; (b) the lock up agreements or undertakings to be entered into by the other Shareholders are on no more onerous terms in all material respects to those which are entered into by all directors, officers of the Company and holders of at least 1% or more of the issued share capital (on an As Converted Basis); and (c) if any of the obligations described in this article 11.9 are waived or terminated with respect to any Shares held by any Shareholder, with the exception of a waiver or termination as a result of death or incapacity of a Shareholder that is a natural person, the restrictions shall be waived or |
| 37 terminated for each Shareholder pro rata the percentage of the Shares held by the applicable Shareholder. 11.9.2 Any Shares acquired by a Shareholder in the open market, as part of a secondary issuance or offerings in or after the IPO or any transfers of securities to Permitted Transferees shall not be subject to the restrictions set out in this article 11.9, provided that, in case of a transfer of securities to a Permitted Transferee, such Permitted Transferee shall be bound by the restrictions set out in this article 11.9 in the same manner as the Original Shareholder. 11.9.3 If any Shareholder fails to comply with the provisions of this article 11.9, the Company shall be constituted the agent of each defaulting Shareholder (other than Redmile, Fidelity and EQT) in order to take such actions as the Company considers reasonable in order to give effect to this article 11.9 and the Director may authorise an officer of the Company or a Director to execute and deliver on behalf of such defaulting Shareholder the necessary documents to effect the lockup, including, without limitation, a lock-up agreement, in a form approved by Preferred Majority Consent. With respect to Fidelity and EQT, none of the provisions of this article 11.9 shall be amended, terminated or waived without its consent, insofar as they relate to Fidelity and EQT, respectively. CHAPTER III. BODIES OF THE COMPANY. SECTION 1. General meeting Article 12.-ANNUAL MEETING- EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING. 12.1.1 If The annual general meeting of the Company shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month April at 4 PM (Brussels time). However, should this day be a legal holiday, the annual general meeting of the Company will take place on the next working day. 12.1.2 The annual general meeting of the Company is held at the registered office of the Company or in the commune of the registered office of the Company or at any other location as set out in the convening notice. 12.1.3 The extraordinary or special general meetings of the Company are held at the place indicated in the invitation notice. Article 13.-NOTICES. 13.1.1 The notices of any general meeting of the Company shall state the agenda of the general meeting and shall be issued at least 15 days prior to the date of the general meeting. 13.1.2 The persons, who need to be convened to the meeting in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and who have participated in the meeting, shall be considered as validly convened. |
| 38 Article 14.-DISPOSAL OF DOCUMENTS. Together with the notice for any general meeting of the Company, a copy of the mandatory documents which must be provided at least 15 days prior to the date of the general meeting pursuant to the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations shall be sent to the persons who are entitled to such documents under any applicable legal provisions, unless such person has waived this formality in writing. Article 15.-ADMISSION TO THE MEETING. To be admitted to the general meeting, each owner of securities who has the right to be convened at the general meeting of the Company in accordance with the applicable legal provisions, must, if this is required in the convening notice, at least three days before the date set for the meeting, notify the management body of his intention to participate at the meeting, or else deposit his (certificates of) securities, at the registered office or with an institution indicated thereto in the convening notice. Article 16.-REPRESENTATION. 16.1 Each Shareholder may be represented, by way of a signed proxy, at a general meeting of the Company by a proxyholder, who needs not be a Shareholder. 16.2 The proxies may be communicated by letter, e-mail or any other means mentioned in article 2281 of the (former) Belgian Civil Code and shall be deposited at the bureau of the meeting. Moreover, the Board may demand that they be deposited at a place of its choosing three working days before the general meeting. Article 17.-ATTENDANCE LIST. The Shareholder or their proxyholders are obliged, before being admitted to the general meeting, to sign the attendance list indicating their surname, first name(s) and domicile or the corporate name and registered office and the number of shares they represent. Article 18.-COMPOSITION OF THE BUREAU – MINUTES. The general meetings shall be chaired by the Chairperson Director or, in the latter’s absence, by his substitute or by a member of the meeting appointed by the meeting. The chairperson of the meeting appoints the secretary. Should the number of persons allow this, the meeting will appoint two vote counters upon proposal of the chairperson. The minutes of the general meetings of Shareholders shall be signed by the members of the bureau and the Shareholders who wish to do so. These minutes shall be kept in a special register. Article 19.-DELIBERATION – QUORUM REQUIREMENTS. No meeting can deliberate on items which are not included on the agenda, unless all shares are present at the meeting and the decisions are taken by unanimous votes. Unless the Belgium Code for Companies and Associations, the Agreement or these articles provide for more stringent majority and quorum requirements, a general meeting shall be validly constituted provided that at |
| 39 least one half of the Shares, including the Preferred B Majority, the Preferred C Majority and Preferred D Majority, is present or represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and all decisions are made by a simple majority of the votes cast. If this quorum is not reached at a first general meeting, the Board may, in accordance with these articles, convene a new general meeting (with the same agenda) to take place no sooner than ten (10) Business Days following the first general meeting. Such second general meeting can deliberate validly, irrespective of the Shareholders present or represented at that meeting, subject to article 21. Subject to article 21, Shareholders may adopt, unanimously and in writing all decisions that fall within the powers of the general meeting, with the exception of those decisions that must be recorded in a notarial deed. Article 20.-VOTING RIGHTS. Each share carries one vote and the voting rights attaching to the Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, the Preferred B Shares and the Preferred A Shares shall be calculated as if all Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares and Preferred A Shares had converted into Common Shares in accordance with article 8.2. The classes of Shares will vote together and not as separate classes, except as otherwise provided in these articles or the Agreement or as otherwise required by law. Voting in writing is allowed. In this case the letter containing the vote mentions every item of the agenda and the words “accepted” or “rejected”, followed by the signature (handwritten or by electronic means); it has to be sent to the Company at the latest on the day before the meeting. Article 21.-MAJORITY. Except in the cases where the law, the Agreement or these articles provide more stringent provisions, the decisions are taken by ordinary majority of the votes cast. The following decisions by the general shareholders’ meeting shall require Preferred Majority Consent, notwithstanding more stringent provisions in the law, the Agreement or these articles: (a) any distribution of dividends; (b) any further issue of Shares by the Company; (c) any amendment to these articles or the rights attaching to any Shares; (d) any merger, sale or listing of the Company, and any sale of all or an important part of the assets of the Company (which for completeness, includes an Exit and an IPO); (e) any bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or judicial reorganisation of the Company; (f) the entering into of any joint venture; (g) any Holding Company Reorganisation; |
| 40 (h) any merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or acquisition, involving the Company or its Subsidiaries, in which the Company or its Subsidiaries are not the surviving entity; (i) any issuance and grant of options or warrants other than under the Employee Stock Option Plan and within the ESOP Cap; (j) any increase to the ESOP Cap; (k) other than as expressly contemplated by the Agreement, these articles or the 2024 Subscription Agreement as regards any Investor (except Pfizer), enter into or vary any transaction or arrangement with, or for the benefit of any of the Directors or Shareholders or any person who is an Affiliate of the Directors or Shareholders other than employment and equity incentive arrangements in the ordinary course and consistent with the Company’s past practice; (l) granting of Shares, guarantees, payment undertakings, loans or similar undertakings which in aggregate exceed five hundred thousand euro (EUR 500,000) (other than transactions with or between subsidiaries); (m) acquisitions and disposals of a business or a real estate (or a material part thereof) by the Company; (n) increase or decrease of the Company´s capital (save pursuant to the issue of ESOP Common Shares under the Employee Share Option Plan), and the grant to the Board of the power to increase the capital by means of authorized capital as well as an increase of the authorized capital; (o) repurchase of its own Shares by the Company, save from any Leaver; (p) the appointment or removal of any person as a Director (save in accordance with clause 3 of the Agreement and article 24 of these articles); and (q) any increase in the number of Directors above eight (8). Article 22.-EXIT. 22.1 In the event of an Exit approved in accordance with the terms of these articles and the Agreement, (the Proposed Exit), all Shareholders shall consent to, vote for, raise no objections to and waive any applicable rights in connection with the Proposed Exit (Actions). 22.2 The Shareholders shall be required to take all Actions with respect to the Proposed Exit as are reasonably required to facilitate the Proposed Exit. 22.3 If any Shareholder (except for Fidelity and EQT) fails to comply with the provisions of this article 22, the Company shall be constituted as the agent of each defaulting Shareholder for taking the Actions necessary to effect the Proposed Exit and the Directors may authorise an officer or member to execute and deliver on behalf of such defaulting Shareholder the |
| 41 necessary documents and the Company may receive any purchase money due to the defaulting Shareholder in trust for each of the defaulting Shareholders. 22.4 If on an Exit, a Shareholder receives any funds that were not distributed in accordance with the order of priority set out in article 35, such Shareholder shall be required to repay such funds to the Company, or in such manner as the Company may direct, within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of notice from the Board. Article 23.-COPIES AND EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES. The copies and/or excerpts of the minutes of the general meetings addressed to third parties are signed by the Chairperson Director, by a managing Director or by two Directors. Their signature must be preceded by an indication of the capacity in which they act. SECTION 2. Management Article 24.-BOARD. 24.1 The Board shall consist of at least three (3) and maximum eight (8) Directors, who need not be Shareholders, which shall be appointed by the shareholders at a general meeting of the Company in accordance with this article 24. 24.2 EQT shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series C Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to article 24.10. 24.3 Redmile shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series B Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to article 24.10. 24.4 The holders of a majority in number of the Preferred A Shares from time to time shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series A Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to article 24.10. 24.5 The Board (acting by majority vote excluding the CEO Director then appointed (if any)) shall have the right to propose one person to act as a Director and CEO of the Company (the CEO Director) and to propose that any such person be removed as CEO Director and propose another CEO Director in his or her place and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to article 24.10. 24.6 Subject to Preferred Majority Consent, the Board (acting by majority vote) shall have the right to propose up to two natural persons to act as non-executive independent Directors (each an Independent Director and together the Independent Directors) and to remove any Independent Director so proposed and propose another Independent Director in his or her place. One Independent Director (as proposed by the Board) shall serve as the chairperson of the Board (the Chairperson Director). Both Independent Directors shall, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, have relevant industry expertise, and one of the |
| 42 Independent Directors shall serve as the chairperson of the Company’s audit committee, and shall also need to have the necessary competence and experience in finance, accounting and auditing. 24.7 Subject to the consent of at least one Investor Director and Preferred Majority Consent, the Board (acting by majority vote) shall have the right to propose up to two further natural persons to act as non-executive Directors, and to remove any such Director so proposed and propose another Director in his or her place. 24.8 Each of the Directors appointed pursuant to this article 24 shall be elected from a list of at least two (2) candidates for each position to be filled proposed by the relevant Shareholder or group of Shareholders. 24.9 The Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose candidates for a position as a Director shall notify the Company and the other Shareholders in writing of the identity of their nominees at least fifteen (15) days prior to the general meeting at which the Director(s) are to be appointed. 24.10 The appointment, removal and replacement of a Director proposed pursuant to articles 24.2, 24.3, 24.4, 24.5, 24.6 and 24.7 shall be effected at a general meeting convened for that purpose by the Company within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice from the relevant Shareholder or group of Shareholders pursuant to article 24.9 at which the Shareholders shall vote their shares in favour of the proposal by the relevant nominating Shareholder or Shareholders. 24.11 Any vacancy on the Board must be filled within one (1) month following the date on which such position became vacant. If a Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose a Director in accordance with this article 24 fail to present a proposed candidate within such one (1) month period, the shareholders’ meeting may appoint, at its discretion, a Director to fill the position for which no candidate was presented, until such Shareholder or group of Shareholders has presented its candidate for such position. Such failure to present candidates does not entail a waiver from the right to present candidates for election, and the Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose candidates for a Director’s mandate shall have the right to request that a new general meeting of the Company be convened to elect the candidates that shall be so presented by it or them for election. 24.12 In case a vacancy occurs on the Board and a Director needs to be co-opted, the same right of proposal shall be vested to the Shareholder or group of Shareholders which had proposed the Director for the position that has become vacant. 24.13 If and for so long as they continue to hold Preferred Shares: (a) Fidelity may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place; |
| 43 (b) Dawn may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise, and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place; (c) Canaan may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise, and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place; (d) Biodiscovery 5 FPCI may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place. 24.14 The appointment or removal of an Observer pursuant to 24.13 shall be by notice in writing from the appointing Shareholder (or, in the case of the Fidelity Investors, FMR) and shall take effect when received by the Company at its registered office or produced to a meeting of the Board (or committee of the Board). 24.15 A Key Manager who is a Type A Leaver, a Type B Leaver or a Type C Leaver (as the case may be), as defined in the Agreement, will immediately resign from his/her directorship. 24.16 The Directors may be either natural persons or legal persons. When a legal person is appointed as a Director, it appoints a permanent representative from among its partners, managers, directors or employees who is charged with the execution of the assignment in the name and on behalf of the legal person. The latter may not dismiss his representative without at the same time appointing a successor. The appointment and termination of the mandate of the permanent representative shall be subject to the same rules of disclosure as if he were carrying out this mandate in his own name and for his own account. 24.17 The duration of their assignment may not exceed six years. The assignments end immediately after the annual meeting of the year in which they expire. They may be dismissed at any time by the general meeting. The Directors may be reappointed when their mandate expires. 24.18 The Company will reimburse the Directors and the Observers with the reasonable costs and out of pocket expenses incurred by them in respect of attending meetings of the Company or carrying out authorised business on behalf of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, no business advisory, monitoring or other fee will be paid to the Investor Directors, the Observers or the Shareholders entitled to propose the appointment of the Investor Directors or the Observers. Article 25.-BOARD MEETINGS. 25.1 The Board shall meet at least four (4) times per year at any other location acceptable to the members of the Board, with such greater frequency as the Directors may require in the |
| 44 interest of the Company. Unless determined otherwise by the Board, at least two (2) meetings per year shall be held in person. 25.2 Notices to attend the Board meeting must be in writing and delivered to each Director and Observer at the latest ten (10) Business Days prior to the meeting. The Board may validly deliberate and decide without furnishing proof of the compliance with this formality with respect to the calling of the meeting, provided that all Directors are present or have waived their right in writing to be formally invited to the meeting. 25.3 Each Director may, by any written form of communication bearing his signature, authorise another member of the Board to represent him at a specific meeting. A Director may represent several of his colleagues and may, in addition to his own vote, cast as many votes as he has received proxies. 25.4 The Board shall be validly constituted to decide on the issues listed on the agenda provided that a majority of the Directors, including the CEO Director and at least one (1) Investor Director is present or validly represented at the meeting. Minutes of all Board and any committee. meetings shall be sent to each Director within thirty (30) Business Days of such meetings. 25.5 If at a meeting of the Board, the quorum is not met, a second meeting of the Board with the same agenda shall be convened within twenty (20) Business Days following the first meeting which can validly decide only on the items on the first meeting’s agenda whatever the number and class of Directors present or validly represented. 25.6 The Board can meet by telephone or videoconference or any other method by which each Director or Observer is able to be understood by the other Directors or Observers present. Article 26.-DELIBERATIONS. 26.1 Unless a higher threshold or specific consent is otherwise required under these articles or the Agreement, every decision of the Board shall be valid if approved by a majority of Directors present or represented at the relevant meeting. 26.2 The Board may pass resolutions by unanimous written consent in accordance with the applicable rules of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. 26.3 Each Director has one (1) vote but may cast, in addition to his own vote, as many votes as he has powers of attorney from his fellow Directors. 26.4 The following decisions shall require the approval of the Board (including approval of at least one (1) Investor Director, if appointed): (a) changes to the registered office, the head-office or a branch office of the Company; (b) establishment of any joint-venture agreement or long term agreement with a duration of more than three years (unless such long term agreement may be terminated at will with no more than three months’ notice); |
| 45 (c) approval of the Business Plan (as defined in the Agreement) or any material updates thereof; (d) approval of the annual financial, operating and investment budget for the Company or any material updates thereof; (e) approval of investments or expenditures exceeding the approved annual budget of the Company by one million euro (EUR 1,000,000.00) or more; (f) appointment, terms of such appointment (including remuneration and any amendments to the terms of such appointment) and dismissal of members of the executive management of the Company; (g) determination of the powers of the managers responsible for the day-to-day management; (h) management of every stock option plan, such as the Employee Stock Option Plan defined in the Agreement (including granting of warrants thereunder); (i) any transactions, arrangements or agreements between the Company and any shareholder or person or Company affiliated to a shareholder or Director; (j) sale, transfer or disposal of any substantial part or asset or right of the Company with a value over five hundred thousand euro (EUR 500,000); (k) approval of and/or modification to any agreements concerning the disposal or acquisition of Intellectual Property rights (other than in the ordinary course of business); (l) any decision to apply Book XX of the Code of Economic Law; (m) issuance of securities of any class or convertible bonds, subscription warrants or other instruments that may give the holder thereof rights to receive, acquire or subscribe to shares in the Company other than options or warrants granted under the ESOP Stock Option Plan (or any previously approved stock option plan); (n) repurchase of its own shares by the Company; (o) engage in any court action or conduct any litigation, arbitration or similar litigation proceedings (other than for collecting claims of the company and taking actions that cannot be reasonably postponed without negative consequences for the Company) on behalf of the Company; (p) changing the accounting policies of the Company; (q) providing an indemnity or guarantee (other than in the ordinary course of business); |
| 46 (r) any participation in other companies, mergers or acquisitions, including disposal or acquisition of any securities in the capital of any other Company or establishment of any new branch or subsidiary of the Company; (s) granting or receiving of loans, financing or security obligations not previously approved by the Board (other than transactions with or between subsidiaries); (t) incurring debt in excess of five percent (5%) of the Series C Investment, as defined in the Agreement; (u) transactions outside the ordinary course of business (as set forth in the Business Plan (as defined in the Agreement)) or changes to the nature of the Company’s business; (v) connected party transactions other than transactions with or between subsidiaries; (w) entering into any contract with an aggregated annual value above three million euro (EUR 3,000,000); or (x) selecting an independent expert for the purposes of clause 3.4 of the Anti-Dilution B Warrants, the Anti-Dilution C Warrants and/or the Anti-Dilution D Warrants. Article 27.-MINUTES. 27.1 The decisions of the Board are recorded in minutes signed by the Chairperson Director, or, in the latter’s absence, by his substitute or by a member of the Board appointed to act as chair of the meeting by the Board, the secretary and the members who so desire and shall be recorded in a special register. 27.2 Any proxy received by a Director shall be attached to the minutes of the meeting for which they were given. 27.3 The copies or extracts to be submitted to a court of law or elsewhere are validly signed by the Chairperson Director, the CEO Director or by two Directors. Article 28.-EXECUTIVE POWERS - ALLOCATION OF DUTIES WITHIN THE BOARD. 28.1 The Board is authorized to carry out all acts necessary or useful for the achievement of the Company’s purpose, with the exception of those acts for which, according to the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, only the general meeting is competent and any acts that expressly require the consent of the Shareholders pursuant to these articles. 28.2 Advisory Committees The Board may set up one or more advisory committees from among its members and under its liability. It shall define their composition and their tasks. 28.3 Daily management |
| 47 The board may delegate the daily management of the Company, the management of one or more sectors of its activities or the implementation of the decisions of the Board to one or more Directors, managers or proxy holders, whether or not Shareholders. If a Director is charged with the daily management, he bears the title of “managing director”. If a non-Director is charged with the daily management, he or she shall bear the title of manager or general manager or any other title to which he or she is referred in the appointment decision. The Board, as well as the proxies for the daily management within the framework of this daily management, may also grant specific powers to one or more persons of their choice. Article 29.-REPRESENTATION AUTHORITY. 29.1 The Company shall be validly represented vis-à-vis third parties, before the court and in the documents, including those requiring the intervention of a public official or a notary public, by two (2) Directors acting jointly. 29.2 Within the framework of the daily management, the Company is also validly represented by a person charged with daily management (Director or non-Director). 29.3 The Company is also, within the framework of their mandate, validly represented by a special proxyholder. 29.4 Furthermore, the Company may be represented abroad by any person expressly appointed for this purpose by the Board. SECTION 3. Control Article 30.-CONTROL. The auditing of the financial situation, the annual accounts and the regularity of the transactions to be reported on in the annual accounts is conferred to one or more statutory auditors, or, in the absence of a statutory auditor, to each Shareholder. CHAPTER IV. FINANCIAL YEAR – ANNUAL ACCOUNTS – DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS. Article 31.-FINANCIAL YEAR – ANNUAL ACCOUNTS – ANNUAL REPORT. The accounting year starts on the first of January and shall end on the thirty- first of December of each year. Article 32.-DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS. 32.1 Subject to article 32.2, from the net profits of the Company, at least five percent (5%) shall be set aside each year to constitute the legal reserve. Such deduction shall no longer be required as soon as this legal reserve reaches one tenth of the Company’s capital. Upon |
| 48 proposal of the Board, the general meeting shall annually decide on the allocation of the balance of the net profits. 32.2 The Company will, without any need for a resolution of the Board or of the Company, and before application of any profits to reserve or for any other purpose, but subject to and conditional upon the occurrence of a Liquidity Event, pay: (a) first, (and in priority to any classes of Shares), the holder of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate in accordance with the principles set out in article 39 of these articles; (b) second, (and in priority to any other classes of Shares), to the holders of Preferred D Shares a fixed cumulative cash preferential dividend in respect of each Preferred D Share held by them at the annual rate of 6 per cent. of the Issue Price per Preferred D Share (the Preferred D Dividend); (c) third, (and in priority to any other classes of Shares other than the Preferred D Shares), to the holders of Preferred C Shares a fixed cumulative cash preferential dividend in respect of each Preferred C Share held by them at the annual rate of 6 per cent. of the Issue Price per Preferred C Share (the Preferred C Dividend); (d) fourth, (and in priority to any other classes of Shares other than the Preferred D Shares and the Preferred C Shares), to the holders of Preferred B Shares a fixed cumulative cash preferential dividend in respect of each Preferred B Share held by them at the annual rate of 6 per cent. of the Issue Price per Preferred B Share (the Preferred B Dividend); and (e) fifth (and in priority to any other classes of Shares other than the Preferred D Shares, the Preferred C Shares and the Preferred B Shares), to the holders of Preferred A Shares a fixed cumulative cash preferential dividend in respect of each Preferred A Share held by them at the annual rate of 6 per cent. of the applicable Issue Price per Preferred A Share (the Preferred A Dividend), in each case to be paid to the person registered as its holder on a Liquidity Event. 32.3 The Preferred D Dividend, the Preferred C Dividend, the Preferred B Dividend and the Preferred A Dividend shall be calculated on a daily basis from the date of issue of the relevant Preferred D Share, Preferred C Share, Preferred B Share or Preferred A Share (as the case may be) until the relevant Liquidity Event. 32.4 Subject to payment of the Preferred Dividends, the Board shall be entitled to determine whether any profits legally available for distribution with respect to any financial year of the Company will be distributed among the holders of the Shares (pari passu as if the Shares constituted one class of share), in which case such profits shall be distributed to Shareholders pro rata to their respective holdings of Shares (calculated on an As Converted Basis and fully diluted basis). |
| 49 32.5 For the purposes of this article 32, with respect to Shares that are not fully paid up, “Issue Price” shall be construed as “the amount of the Issue Price actually paid up”. Article 33.-INTERIM DIVIDENDS. The Board is authorised to pay an interim dividend on the result of the financial year, subject to compliance with the conditions of article 7:213 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations and subject to the application of the same preference rules as referred to in article 35. Article 34.-PROHIBITED DISTRIBUTION. Any distribution of dividends made contrary to the law, the terms of these articles or the Agreement must be repaid by the Shareholder who received it. Article 35.-LIQUIDITY PREFERENCE. 35.1 In case distributions of proceeds or assets are made to the Shareholders as a result of (i) payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back; (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or judicial reorganisation of the Company; (iii) an Asset Sale; (iv) any merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity; (v) a Share Sale, or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above, (individually and collectively referred to as a Liquidity Event), it being understood that an IPO shall not constitute a Liquidity Event, the holder of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate shall be entitled to receive, after the payment (or other satisfaction) of the Company’s liabilities, for the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate it holds at the time of the Liquidity Event, in preference of each of the Shareholders, a Liquidation Interest Profit Share, in accordance with the principles set out in article 39 of these articles. 35.2 The surplus assets of the Company following payment of the Liquidation Interest Profit Share shall be applied (to the extent the Company is lawfully able to do so): (a) first, in paying to each holder of Preferred D Shares in priority to any other classes of Shares, an amount equal to the Issue Price per Preferred D Share held by them (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), together with any accrued or declared but unpaid dividends (including the Preferred D Dividend), or if greater, the amount that each holder of Preferred D Shares would receive on an As-Converted Basis (the D Preference Amount) (provided |
| 50 that if there are insufficient surplus assets to pay the amounts due under this article 35.2(a), the available surplus assets shall be distributed to the holders of Preferred D Shares pro rata to their respective holdings of Preferred D Shares); (b) second, in paying to each holder of Preferred C Shares in priority to any other classes of Shares, an amount equal to the Issue Price per Preferred C Share held by them (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), together with any accrued or declared but unpaid dividends (including the Preferred C Dividend), or if greater, the amount that each holder of Preferred C Shares would receive on an As-Converted Basis (the C Preference Amount) (provided that if there are insufficient surplus assets to pay the amounts due under this article 35.2(b), the available surplus assets shall be distributed to the holders of Preferred C Shares pro rata to their respective holdings of Preferred C Shares); (c) third, in paying to each holder of Preferred B Shares, in priority to any other classes of Shares, an amount equal to the Issue Price per Preferred B Share held by them (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), together with any accrued or declared but unpaid dividends (including the Preferred B Dividend) or if greater, the amount that each holder of Preferred B Shares would receive on an As-Converted Basis (the B Preference Amount) (provided that if there are insufficient surplus assets to pay the amounts due under this article 35.2(c), the available surplus assets shall be distributed to the holders of Preferred B Shares pro rata to their respective holdings of Preferred B Shares); (d) fourth, in paying to each holder of Preferred A Shares, in priority to any other classes of Shares, an amount equal to the Issue Price per Preferred A Share held by them (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), together with any accrued or declared but unpaid dividends (including the Preferred A Dividend) or if greater, the amount that each holder of Preferred A Shares would receive on an As-Converted Basis (the A Preference Amount) (provided that if there are insufficient surplus assets to pay the amounts due under this article 35.2(d) the available surplus assets shall be distributed to the holders of Preferred A Shares pro rata to their respective holdings of Preferred A Shares and the applicable Issue Price for such Preferred A Shares); 35.3 In case the amount paid per Preferred D Share to the holders of Preferred D Shares at the occasion of a prior Liquidity Event (the Prior D Payment) is lower than the D Preference Amount, as calculated at the effective date of the Prior D Payment, then the holders of Preferred D Shares shall be entitled to receive at a next Liquidity Event, per Preferred D Share they hold, in preference to the holders of any other classes of shares, an amount equal to the difference between the D Preference Amount (calculated at the effective date of the Prior D Payment) and the Prior D Payment, wherein the resulting difference is adjusted with respect to any additional Preferred D Dividend payable for the period starting from the effective date of the Prior D Payment until the effective date of payment at the next Liquidity Event (the Outstanding D Liquidity Preference). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Outstanding D Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.4 In case the amount paid per Preferred C Share to the holders of Preferred C Shares at the occasion of a prior Liquidity Event (the Prior C Payment) is lower than the C Preference |
| 51 Amount, as calculated at the effective date of the Prior C Payment, then the holders of Preferred C Shares shall be entitled to receive at a next Liquidity Event, per Preferred C Share they hold, in preference to the holders of any other classes of shares other than the Preferred D Shares, an amount equal to the difference between the C Preference Amount (calculated at the effective date of the Prior C Payment) and the Prior C Payment, wherein the resulting difference is adjusted with respect to any additional Preferred C Dividend payable for the period starting from the effective date of the Prior C Payment until the effective date of payment at the next Liquidity Event (the Outstanding C Liquidity Preference). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Outstanding C Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.5 In case the amount paid per Preferred B Share to the holders of Preferred B Shares at the occasion of a prior Liquidity Event (the Prior B Payment) is lower than the B Preference Amount, as calculated at the effective date of the Prior B Payment, then the holders of Preferred B Shares shall be entitled to receive at a next Liquidity Event, per Preferred B Share they hold, in preference to the holders of any other classes of shares other than the Preferred D shares and the Preferred C Shares, an amount equal to the difference between the B Preference Amount (calculated at the effective date of the Prior B Payment) and the Prior B Payment, wherein the resulting difference is adjusted with respect to any additional Preferred B Dividend payable for the period starting from the effective date of the Prior B Payment until the effective date of payment at the next Liquidity Event (the Outstanding B Liquidity Preference). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Outstanding B Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.6 In case the amount paid per Preferred A Share to the holders of Preferred A Shares at the occasion of a prior Liquidity Event (the Prior A Payment) is lower than the A Preference Amount, as calculated at the effective date of the Prior A Payment, then the holders of Preferred A Shares shall be entitled to receive at a next Liquidity Event, per Preferred A Share they hold, in preference to the holders of any other classes of shares other than the Preferred D Shares, the Preferred C Shares and the Preferred B Shares, an amount equal to the difference between the A Preference Amount (calculated at the effective date of the Prior A Payment) and the Prior A Payment, wherein the resulting difference is adjusted with respect to any additional Preferred A Dividend payable for the period starting from the effective date of the Prior A Payment until the effective date of payment at the next Liquidity Event (the Outstanding A Liquidity Preference). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Outstanding A Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.7 In case there is any positive balance of surplus assets after complete fulfilment of the D Preference Amount, the C Preference Amount, the B Preference Amount and the A Preference Amount (or after complete fulfilment of the last Outstanding D Liquidity Preference, the last Outstanding C Liquidity Preference, the last Outstanding B Liquidity Preference and Outstanding A Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events), each of the holders of Common Shares (i.e. for the avoidance of any doubt, excluding the ESOP Common Shares) will be entitled to receive per Common Share held at the time of the Liquidity Event an amount equal to the subscription price per Share at the occasion of the Seed Investment (i.e. forty euro (EUR 40) per Share) (the Catch-Up Amount). This |
| 52 process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Catch-Up Amount in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.8 In case there is any positive balance of surplus assets after complete fulfilment of the D Preference Amount, the C Preference Amount, the B Preference Amount and the A Preference Amount (or after complete fulfilment of the last Outstanding D Liquidity Preference, the last Outstanding C Liquidity Preference, Outstanding B Liquidity Preference and Outstanding A Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events) and after complete fulfilment of the Catch-Up Amount, the remaining proceeds and assets will be distributed to all Shareholders pro rata to their security holding (to the extent such securities are actually paid up) on an as-if-converted basis. 35.9 In the event of a Liquidity Event whereby the proceeds of such Liquidity Event are received by the Company, the Shareholders shall cause the Company to distribute the proceeds to the security holders as outlined above, taking into account any existing and future liabilities of the Company, including, as the case may be any payment obligation outstanding under the License Agreement. 35.10 For the purposes of this article 35, with respect to Shares that are not fully paid up, “Issue Price” shall be construed as “the amount of the Issue Price actually paid up”. CHAPTER V. DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION. Article 36.-DISSOLUTION. The general meeting may at any time dissolve the Company, respecting the quorum and majority requirements for modifications of the by-laws. Article 37.-DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION. 37.1 If the Company is dissolved followed by a liquidation one or more liquidators shall be appointed by the general meeting. 37.2 The appointment of one or more liquidators must be notified to the chairperson of the Commercial Court in order to receive its approval in accordance with article 2:84 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. 37.3 They dispose of the powers set forth in articles 2:87 and 2:88 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, without the need for further special authorisation by the general meeting. However, the general meeting may at all times restrict these powers by simple majority. 37.4 All assets of the Company must be sold unless the general meeting decides otherwise. 37.5 If not all the shares have been paid up to the same extent, the liquidators restore the balance, either by making additional calls, or by making provisional payments. |
| 53 CHAPTER VI. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Article 38.-ELECTION OF DOMICILE. Every Director, statutory auditor or liquidator residing abroad is deemed, for the duration of his function, to have elected domicile at the registered office of the Company where all communications, notifications and summonses can be validly served. Article 39.-CLASS A PREFERENCE PROFIT SHARING CERTIFICATE. 39.1 The Company has issued one (1) profit sharing certificate, named “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”. 39.2 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” does not represent the capital of the Company. 39.3 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is and remains registered. The ownership title of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is exclusively determined by the entry in a special register of profit certificates kept at the registered office of the Company. 39.4 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” was granted to the private company with limited liability “Argenx”, established at 9052 Zwijnaarde, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7 / C, RCE Gent division Gent VAT BE 0818.292.196, within the framework of and as sole consideration under the license by Argenx to the company of the “argenx Intellectual Property”, in accordance with the Research and Commercialization License agreement of 14 March 2019 between the Company and Argenx, as amended from time to time (including on 3 October 2023) (the License Agreement). This License Agreement also sets out further agreements regarding the further development of the “argenx Intellectual Property”. 39.5 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is subject to the same transfer restrictions as the Company’s shares, as set out in article 11 of these articles. The transfer of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” will only become effective after the entry in the register of profit certificates of the statement of transfer as dated and signed by the transferor and the transferee or their representatives. 39.6 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is indivisible and the Company recognizes only one owner per Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate. If several persons have rights with respect to the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”, the exercise of these rights will be suspended until one person is designated as the owner of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate with respect to the Company. |
| 54 39.7 In the circumstances set out below, the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” shall grant entitlement to a liquidation share, the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” of 6.60% of the amounts that would be distributable to the Shareholders of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” shall for all purposes of these terms and conditions, be calculated on all distributions to the Shareholders of the Company, even if they do not relate to the share of the argenx Intellectual Property licensed under the License Agreement to the Company. The aforementioned share of the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” of 6.60% will be further adjusted in the event of one (or more) capital increase(s) of the Company to be subscribed to in majority by a new Shareholder against a “pre-money” valuation of the shares of the Company that exceeds two hundred and twenty-five million EUR (€225,000,000) (“Dilutive Issue”). The adjusted percentage share of the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” will be calculated as follows new “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” = X * [(Y * W/Y)] / [(Y * W/Y) + (V * Z)] whereby: V = the number of shares the Company shall issue in the Dilutive Issue; W = two hundred and twenty-five million EUR (€225,000,000); X = the percentage of the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” immediately prior to the Dilutive Issue; Y = total number of outstanding shares of the Company immediately prior to the Dilutive Issue; Z = the issue price per share of the Dilutive Issue. 39.8 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is issued for an indefinite period of time, it being understood that the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” shall automatically expire (i) upon termination of the License Agreement due to a ‘Material Breach’ or ‘Insolvency’ (respectively articles 8.2. and 8.3. of the License Agreement) on the part of Argenx and (ii) in the event of IPO. Immediately prior to the realization of such IPO, it will convert automatically into a number of Common Shares, such number being determined as a percentage of the total number of outstanding shares in the Company. The applicable percentage will be determined in accordance with the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” on the total number of outstanding shares (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company immediately prior to this IPO. If there has been one or more Dilutive Issuance prior to the IPO, then the applicable conversion rate will be adjusted in accordance with the formula in article 39.7 above. |
| 55 39.9 In the event of a “Liquidity Event” (as defined in article 35 of these articles), the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” will be entitled to receive a “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” in accordance with article 39.7 above in priority to all other shares or securities of the Company and calculated on what is effectively distributed to the Shareholders of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, in case of, but not limited to, a Share Sale, the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” shall be entitled to receive a part of the purchase price for the transfer of shares and the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”, which shall be equal to the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share”, calculated on the purchase price for the transfer of the shares and the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”. 39.10 In the event the Company grants a license, enters into a partnership or otherwise disposes of rights with respect to “Licensed Products” as defined in the License Agreement, and a distribution of dividends, or any other form of distribution to the Shareholders is realized (a Realisation Distribution), the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” shall in priority on all other shares or securities of the Company be entitled to receive a “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” from this Realisation Distribution. More generally, in the event that the Company decides to distribute a profit (dividend), part of the distributable amount will be granted as dividend to the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” equal to a “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” in accordance with article 39.7 above. 39.11 The holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” has no voting rights at the general meetings, except in the cases determined by the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. In such cases, the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” entitles the holder to one vote. The holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” will in such cases always exercise its voting rights in the interest of the Company for all market-based decisions relating to the financing of the Company and if and to the extent that the decision to be taken does not disproportionately affect the rights attached to the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”. The holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” will be invited to general Shareholders’ meetings in the same way as the holders of capital shares and is entitled to receive similar information as a Shareholder. In general, the number of voting rights granted to profit sharing certificates may not exceed half of the total number of votes granted to the holders of the issued capital shares. Subsequently, the votes cast by the holders of profit certificates may under no circumstances be taken into account for more than two-thirds of the number of votes cast by the holders of the capital shares. 39.12 The holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” has in no case a preferential subscription right and in particular no such rights in the event of a capital increase or in the event of the issue of new profit certificates by the Company. 39.13 When the Company enters into a strategic transaction, such as the granting of a licence on, a sale of one or more assets, a merger, demerger, contribution or acquisition of a branch of activity or any similar transaction, it shall ensure that the holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”, for everything not expressly provided for in the conditions of issue of this security, is equally (pari passu) involved in such transaction and consequently |
| 56 receives information in an equal manner, receives the same terms and equal treatment in all parameters of the transaction. ========================================================== Brussels, 2024. AUTHENTICATED. Notary public, |
Exhibit 3.2
"AgomAb Therapeutics"
Limited liability company
Established in the Flemish Region
With registered address at 2600 Antwerp, Posthoflei 1, box 6
RLE Antwerp (Section Antwerp) VAT BE 0674.527.310
(the "Company")
==========================================================
Articles of association after the extraordinary general shareholders' meeting of
[●] 2026
==========================================================
CHAPTER I. LEGAL FORM – NAME –
REGISTERED OFFICE – PURPOSE – TERM.
Article 1.- LEGAL FORM – NAME.
| 1.1 | The Company is a limited liability company ("naamloze vennootschap" / "société anonyme"), abbreviated "NV" / "SA". |
| 1.2 | Its name is "AgomAb Therapeutics". |
| 1.3 | Its name has to be preceded or followed by the designation of the company form, or the abbreviation of such form. |
Article 2.- REGISTERED OFFICE.
| 2.1 | The registered office of the Company is established in the Flemish Region. |
| 2.2 | It may be transferred to any other place in Belgium by decision of the board of directors, subject to the application of the laws on the use of languages. |
| 2.3 | The Company may, by decision of the board of directors, establish administrative offices and operating offices, branches, agencies and warehouses in Belgium or abroad. |
Article 3.- OBJECT.
The Company has as its object, in Belgium as well as abroad, on its own behalf as well as on behalf of third parties, alone or in participation with third parties:
| (a) | the scientific research, the clinical study, the identification, the testing, analysis and evaluation, of biological, chemical or natural products with therapeutic or diagnostic potential in the life science area in general and in the pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, veterinary sectors in particular, and the production, the marketing, the exploitation, the granting or taking of a license and in general performing all possible transactions regarding any pharmaceutical or affiliated products and formulations; |
| (b) | the worldwide distribution of, selling of and providing services with regard to the products of the Company directly to clients and also via third parties; |
| (c) | the setting up of, participating in, managing of, monitoring of and collaborating with companies and other enterprises, obtaining, maintaining, selling or by other means managing of participations and interests in other companies and enterprises; |
| (d) | the financing of companies and other enterprises, borrowing, lending and collecting of funds, the participation in financial transactions, including the issuance of bonds, debentures or other securities, and concluding of all agreements somehow related thereto, to enterprises and companies connected to the Company in a group and to third parties; |
| (e) | providing guarantees, binding of the Company and encumbering assets of the Company for the benefit of enterprises and companies with which the Company is affiliated in a group and for the benefit of third parties; |
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| (f) | to acquire, manage, exploit and dispose of movable goods, immovable property and all asset values in general; |
| (g) | to trade in currencies, securities, movable goods, immovable property and asset values in general; |
| (h) | to acquire, exploit and trade in patents, trademarks, licenses, know-how and other industrial property rights; |
| (i) | to perform all types of industrial, financial and commercial activities. |
The Company may perform all civil, industrial, commercial, movable or immovable operations, directly or indirectly, totally or partially related to any section of its purpose, or that are of such a nature to enlarge the realization of its purpose or to facilitate it.
The Company may in any way, participate in all companies or enterprises with a similar or a related purpose, or whose purposes are of such a nature to facilitate the realization of its own purpose.
The Company may also enter into any agreement of cooperation, rationalization, association or other with such companies or enterprises.
The Company may provide a guarantee or provide security, both by providing personal rights or rights in rem for the benefit of any physical or legal person, whether or not affiliated. It may execute the role of director, managing director ("zaakvoerder"/"gérant") and liquidator.
Article 4.- TERM.
The Company is incorporated for an indefinite term.
CHAPTER II. COMPANY'S SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARES.
Article 5.- SHARE CAPITAL.
| 5.1 | The share capital of the Company amounts to [•] euro and [•] cents (EUR [•]). It is represented by [•] ([•]) ordinary shares, without designation of nominal value, each share representing an equal part of the share capital. |
| 5.2. | The share capital is entirely and unconditionally subscribed for and fully paid up. |
Article 6.- AUTHORISED CAPITAL.
| 6.1 | The board of directors is authorised to increase the share capital of the company on one or several occasions by a maximum aggregate amount of EUR [100% of the company's share capital immediately following the completion of the IPO Capital Increase or, as far as relevant, immediately following the exercise of the Over-allotment Option]. |
| 6.2 | The board of directors may increase the share capital by contributions in cash or in kind, by capitalisation of reserves, whether available or unavailable for distribution, and capitalisation of issue premiums, with or without the issuance of new shares, for no consideration or for consideration with an issue price below, at, or above the fractional value of the then existing shares, with or without voting rights, that will have the rights as will be determined by the board of directors. The board of directors is also authorised to use this authorisation for the issuance of convertible bonds or subscription rights, bonds with subscription rights or other securities. |
| 6.3 | This authorisation is valid for a period of five years as from the date of publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of an extract of [the minutes of the extraordinary general shareholders' meeting of the company held on date of the general shareholders' meeting approving the authorised capital]. |
| 6.4 | In the event of a capital increase decided by the board of directors within the framework of the authorised capital, all issue premiums booked, if any, will be accounted for in accordance with the provisions of these articles of association. |
| 6.5 | The board of directors is authorised, when exercising its powers within the framework of the authorised capital, to restrict or cancel, in the interest of the company, the preferential subscription rights of the shareholders. This restriction or cancellation of the preferential subscription rights can also be done in favour of members of the personnel of the company or of its subsidiaries, or in favour of one or more persons other than members of the personnel of the company or of its subsidiaries. |
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| 6.6 | The board of directors is authorised, with the right of substitution, to amend the articles of association, after each capital increase that has occurred within the framework of the authorised capital, in order to bring them in conformity with the new situation of the share capital and the shares. |
Article 7.- PROFIT-SHARING CERTIFICATES, SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS (WARRANTS), CONVERTIBLE BONDS AND CERTIFICATES.
The Company can issue profit-sharing certificates, certificates, subscription rights (warrants), convertible bonds, or other securities. The Company can, for the benefit of the Company, collaborate with a third party for the issuance by this third party of certificates which represent the securities of the Company according to the provisions of article 7:61 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code (Wetboek van vennootschappen en verenigingen) of 23 March 2019, as amended from time to time (the "Belgian Companies and Associations Code"). The Company can decide to take charge of the costs connected to the certification and to the incorporation and functioning of the issuer of the certificates. The certificate-holders, the issuer of the certificates or third parties may only rely upon the collaboration of the Company for the issuance of the certificates, if the Company confirms its collaboration by writing to the issuer. The issuer of the certificates has to make himself known to the Company in this respect. The Company takes notice of this mentioning in the concerned register of securities.
Article 8.- SHARES IN UNDIVISION.
| 8.1 | The shares are indivisible with regard to the Company. |
| 8.2 | In case shares belong to multiple holders of rights in rem, are pledged, or in case the rights attached to the shares are subject to an undivided ownership, usufruct or any other manner of division of the rights attached to such shares, joint owners must be represented with regard to the Company by one single person; as long as this is not the case, the rights attached to these shares shall be suspended until one person has been identified towards the Company as the holder of those securities or as their joint representative. If no agreement can be reached between the titleholders, a competent judge may, upon request of the first party (including the Company, as the case may be) to take action, appoint an interim administrator to exercise the concerned rights in the interest of the joint titleholders. All notices, writs and other notifications by the Company will occur validly and exclusively, as the case may be, to the person appointed as owner vis-à-vis the Company, or to the joiny representative so appointed. |
| 8.3 | Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares belong to bare owners and usufructuaries all rights, including voting rights, shall be exercised by the usufructuary(ies), unless stipulated otherwise in a will or an agreement. |
Article 9.- NO SERIES OF SHARES.
All of the shares belong to the same series or classes of shares and shall benefit from the same rights and privileges. There are no distinct series or classes of shares as referred to in article 7:60 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code.
Article 10.- SHARES NOT FULLY PAID-UP – OBLIGATION TO PAY UP.
| 10.1 | The commitment to pay up a share in full is unconditional and indivisible. Each payment called is accounted to all of the shares of which the shareholder is the owner. |
| 10.2 | If shares not fully paid up belong to several persons undividedly, each of them is responsible for the payment of the full amount of the called up payments due. |
| 10.3 | Any additional or full payment shall be requested by the board of directors at a time to be determined by it. The shareholders shall be notified of this by means of a public announcement or press release or by means of a registered letter or, for shareholders who have communicated their e-mail address to the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, by e-mail, stating a bank account to which payment, to the exclusion of any other means of payment, must be made by bank transfer or cash deposit. The shareholder shall be in default by the mere expiry of the period specified in the notification and interest shall be due by operation of law to the Company at the statutory interest rate specified at that time, as from the date such payment call was originally payable. |
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| 10.4 | As long as the requested payments due on a share have not been made in accordance with this provision, the exercise of all associated membership rights attached to the share concerned shall remain suspended by operation of law. In addition, if the shareholder fails to comply with the notice of default sent by the board of directors after the expiry of the period determined by the board of directors, the board of directors may have the shares concerned sold in the most appropriate manner, without prejudice to the Company's right to claim from the shareholder the outstanding payment as well as any damages and interests may apply. |
| 10.5 | In addition, in the event of a transfer of shares that are not fully paid up, the transferor and transferee shall, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, be jointly and severally liable for full payment. In the case of successive transfers, all successive transferees shall be jointly and severally liable in accordance with the provisions of article 7:77 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. |
| 10.6. | Early payments on shares may not be made without the prior consent of the board of directors. |
Article 11.- SHARE CAPITAL INCREASE.
| 11.1 | The share capital of the Company can be increased in accordance with the applicable legal provisions of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. |
| 11.2 | With respect to any specific capital increase, in the event of a capital increase by contribution in cash, each shareholder has, in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, a statutory preferential subscription right to subscribe to the newly issued shares in proportion to his participation in the capital ("pro rata participationis"). The terms and conditions for the exercise of this statutory preferential subscription right are laid down in the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. The general shareholders' meeting or the board of directors, acting within the framework of the authorised capital, may, in the interest of the Company, restrict or dis-apply the aforementioned statutory preferential subscription right in accordance with the applicable legal provisions of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, including to the benefit of one or more specified persons other than members of the personnel of the Company or of its subsidiaries. |
Article 12.- SHARE CAPITAL DECREASE.
The share capital of the Company can be descreased in accordance with the applicable legal provisions of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code.
CHAPTER III. SHARES – OTHER SECURITIES.
Article 13.- TRANSFER OF SHARES ISSUED BY THE COMPANY
Unless provided otherwise by law, the transfer of shares or other securities issued by the Company is not subject to any transfer restriction.
Article 14.- NATURE OF SHARES ISSUED BY THE COMPANY
| 14.1 | Shares (whether fully paid-up or not) are in registered form. |
| 14.2 | A share register is kept at the registered office of the Company and may be split by decision of the board of directors in accordance with applicable law. The board of directors can appoint a third party of its choice to keep any part of the split share register. Subject to applicable provisions of companies, financial and securities laws, and unless decided otherwise by the board of directors in accordance with these articles of association, dividends and other distributions (as the case may be) by the Company on shares can be made in euro (EUR) or United States dollars (USD) depending on the component of the (split) share register on which the shares are reflected. |
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The (split) register of registered shares and the registers of other registered securities, as the case may be, can be kept electronically, in accordance with applicable law.
Each holder of securities can consult the (split) register with respect to his, her or its securities. The board of directors can appoint a third party of its choice to keep this (split) electronic register.
All recordings in the (split) share register and the registers of other registered securities, including transfers and conversions, can be validly made on the basis of documents or instructions submitted electronically or via any other means by the transferor, the transferee and/or the holder of the securities, as applicable.
| 14.3 | The general shareholders' meeting of the Company can resolve to proceed with a share split or a share consolidation in accordance with the applicable law. |
Article 15.- TRANSPARENCY OBLIGATIONS
| 15.1 | Each natural or legal person acquiring or transferring voting securities of the Company, whether or not representing the share capital of the Company, must comply with the relevant notification and information obligations that are imposed by applicable law. |
| 15.2 | Non-compliance with the relevant notification and information obligations that are imposed by applicable law in relation to the acquisition or transfer of voting securities of the Company, whether or not representing the share capital of the Company, may result, in accordance with applicable law, a suspension of the voting rights attached to the relevant voting securities or such other consequence as provided for by applicable law. |
Article 16.- ISSUE OF BONDS, SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS AND OTHER SECURITIES GIVING RIGHT TO SHARES.
| 16.1 | The Company may issue bonds by resolution of the board of directors and on such conditions as it shall determine. |
| 16.2 | The general shareholders' meeting or the board of directors, acting within the framework of the authorized capital, may issue convertible bonds, bonds repayable into shares, subscription rights, profit-sharing certificates or any other financial instrument giving an entitlement to shares, subject to compliance with the relevant legal provisions. |
| 16.3 | In accordance with applicable law, holders of shares without voting rights, profit certificates without voting rights, convertible bonds, subscription rights or certificates which were issued with cooperation of the Company have the right to attend general shareholders' meetings, but only in a consultative capacity. |
Article 17.- SUCCESSORS IN TITLE AND EXERCISE OF RIGHTS.
| 17.1 | The rights and obligations attached to a security follow that security, regardless of whom it is transferred to. |
| 17.2 | The heirs, the creditors, and/or other beneficiaries of a shareholder cannot, on any grounds whatsoever, interfere with the management of the Company, cause seals to be laid on the goods and values of the Company, or pursue the liquidation of the Company and the distribution of its assets. |
| 17.3 | In exercising their rights shareholders are bound by the balance sheets and inventories of the Company, and must comply with and conform to the resolutions of the general shareholders' meeting of the Company. |
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Article 18. - ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF OWN SHARES.
The Company can acquire and dispose of its own shares in accordance with the relevant legal provisions.
CHAPTER IV. BODIES OF THE COMPANY.
SECTION 1. General shareholders' meeting
Article 19.- COMPOSITION AND AUTHORITIES
The regularly composed general shareholders' meeting represents the entirety of the shareholders. The resolutions of the general shareholders' meeting are binding upon all shareholders, even those absent or those who voted against.
Article 20.- ANNUAL, SPECIAL AND EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING.
| 20.1 | The annual general shareholders' meeting of the Company shall be held each year on the last Tuesday of the month May at 4:00 PM (Brussels time). |
However, should this day be a legal holiday, the annual general shareholders' meeting of the Company will take place on the next Business Day at the same time.
A special or extraordinary general shareholders' meeting can be convened at any time in the interest of the Company, to discuss any matter falling within its powers.
| 20.3 | The annual general shareholders' meeting of the Company is held at the registered office of the Company or in the commune of the registered office of the Company or at any other location as set out in the invitation notice. |
The extraordinary or special general shareholders' meetings of the Company are held at the place indicated in the invitation notice.
Article 21.- CONVENING NOTICES.
General shareholders' meetings shall be convened in accordance with the applicable law.
Article 22.- ADMISSION TO THE MEETING.
| 22.1 | In order to be admitted to and participate to a general shareholders' meeting, shareholders must comply with the relevant registration, notice, filing and other formalities as required by applicable law or as shall be set out (subject to applicable law) in the notice convening the meeting. |
| 22.2 | The board of directors shall have the ability to determine that the right to attend the general shareholders' meetings and to exercise the voting right at such meetings (as the case may be) is determined by the registration of the ownership of the securities concerned in the name of the holder of such securities on the third (3rd) Business Day prior to the date of the relevant general shareholders' meeting (or such other date as shall be set out in the notice convening the general shareholders' meeting, but which cannot be earlier than the 15th calendar date before the relevant general shareholders' meeting), at midnight at the end of such day (Brussels time) (such date and hour being the relevant registration date), by means of the registration of such securities in the relevant (portion of the split) register book for such securities, or in the accounts of a certified account holder or relevant central securities depositary for the securities concerned, irrespective of the number of shares the shareholder possesses at the day of the general shareholders' meeting. |
| 22.3 | The board of directors may make participation to the general shareholders' meetings dependent on a requirement of notification by the securities holders concerned to the Company, or to the person appointed for this purpose by the Company, on a date to be determined by the board of directors before the date of the scheduled meeting, that such securities holder intends to attend the meeting, stating the number of securities with which such securities holder wishes to participate. The manner in which such notification must be made (as the case may be) must be set out in the notice convening the general shareholders' meeting. |
| 22.4 | Natural persons, corporate bodies or proxy holders who participate in the general shareholders' meeting must be able to provide proof of their identity. The representatives of legal entities have to provide documents showing their capacity as corporate body or special proxy holder. |
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| 22.5 | Holders of non-voting shares, non-voting profit-sharing certificates, convertible bonds, subscription rights, or certificates issued with the cooperation of the Company may attend the general meeting, but only in an advisory capacity. If they wish to participate, they will be subject to the same formalities of prior deposit and notice, of the form and the deposit of a proxy, and of admission, as those to which the shareholders are subject. |
Article 23.- REPRESENTATION.
| 23.1 | Notwithstanding applicable law with respect to legal representation, each security holder who can participate in the general shareholders' meeting, can be represented at a general shareholders' meeting by a proxy holder, who needs not be a shareholder, who has been granted a handwritten proxy or a proxy on another durable medium recognized by law. A person acting as proxy holder may carry a proxy of more than one shareholder; in such case he may vote differently for one shareholder than for another shareholder. |
| 23.2 | Such proxies must be granted and submitted to the company in accordance with the applicable law and/or as set out (in accordance with the applicable law) in the convening notice, as the case may be. |
| 23.3 | The holders of a proxy must comply with the relevant legal provisions concerning proxies for general shareholders' meetings, as relevant. The board of directors can establish a form for the proxies. The proxy forms will be made available to the security holders. |
Article 24.- ATTENDANCE LIST.
The shareholders or their proxyholders are obliged, before being admitted to the general shareholders' meeting, to sign the attendance list indicating their surname, first name(s) and domicile or the corporate name and registered office and the number of shares they represent.
Article 25.- COMPOSITION OF THE BUREAU.
| 25.1 | The general shareholders' meetings shall be chaired by the chairperson, or, in the latter's absence, by his, her or its substitute or by a member of the meeting appointed by the meeting. |
| 25.2 | The chairperson of the meeting appoints the secretary, who may be or may not be a shareholder or director. Should the number of persons allow or require this, the meeting will appoint two vote counters upon proposal of the chairperson, who may be or may not be a shareholder. Both roles may be performed by one person. |
| 25.3 | The persons mentioned in articles 25.1 and 25.2 constitute the bureau of the meeting. |
| 25.4 | The chairperson can assemble the bureau prior to the general shareholders' meeting and, as such, the assembled bureau can proceed with the verification of the proxies granted to the participants of the general shareholders' meeting prior to the opening of the meeting. |
Article 26.- VOTING RIGHTS.
Each share carries one vote, unless determined otherwise by applicable law.
Article 27.- REMOTE VOTING OR PARTICIPATION.
| 27.1 | If the convening notice so provides, a shareholder may, prior to the general shareholders' meeting, vote by mail or via electronic means using forms, the draft text of which shall be determined by the board of directors. The voting forms will be made available to the shareholders. |
| 27.2 | These votes by mail or by electronic means must be cast in accordance with the applicable law and/or as will be set out (in accordance with applicable law) in the convening notice. |
| 27.3 | In accordance with applicable law, the board of directors can also organise a remote voting by means of other electronic means of communication such as one or more websites. The board of directors is authorised to organise the practical procedures to facilitate such electronic voting. |
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| 27.4 | In accordance with applicable law, the board of directors can offer security holders the possibility to participate remotely in the general shareholders' meeting via a means of communication made available by the company. The board of directors is authorised to organise the practical procedures to facilitate such remote participation by a means of communication made available by the company. |
Article 28.- DELIBERATION, DECISION MAKING AND QUORUM REQUIREMENTS.
| 28.1 | The general shareholders' meeting cannot deliberate on items that are not on the agenda or contained therein implicitly, unless all shareholders are present or represented at the meeting and unanimously consent to do so and if, in the event of a vote by mail, the form authorises a proxy holder to take such a decision. The required consent is given if no objection is recorded in the minutes of the meeting. |
| 28.2 | The general shareholders' meeting can validly deliberate and pass resolutions regardless of the number of shares present or represented, except in cases in which applicable law requires a specific attendance quorum. |
| 28.3 | The resolutions of the general shareholders' meeting are validly adopted by a simple majority of the votes validly cast at the meeting, except in cases in which applicable law requires a specific majority. In the event votes are tied, the proposal is rejected. |
| 28.4 | Voting will be by show of hands unless, in view of the number of participants or otherwise, the chairperson of the meeting thinks it preferable to vote by another method, such as voting slips or electronic means. |
| 28.5 | General shareholders' meetings may be transmitted or broadcast live by telephone conferencing or video conferencing, or any other means of transmission and/or telecommunication. By participating in general shareholders' meetings that are transmitted or broadcast, the natural persons participating in the general shareholders' meeting consent to their image being transmitted or broadcast through these transmission or telecommunication means. |
Article 29.- ADJOURNMENT.
| 29.1 | The board of directors has the right, during the annual general shareholders' meeting, to adjourn the resolution relating to the approval of the annual accounts for three (3) weeks. This adjournment does not affect the other decisions already taken, unless the general shareholders' meeting decides otherwise in this respect. The next general shareholders' meeting has the right to definitively adopt the annual accounts. |
| 29.2 | The board of directors also has the right, during the general shareholders' meeting, to adjourn any other general shareholders' meeting once by three (3) weeks. This adjournment does not affect the resolutions already passed by this meeting, unless the general shareholders' meeting decides otherwise in this respect. |
| 29.3 | At the next general shareholders' meeting, the items on the agenda on which no final decision was taken at the previous general shareholders' meeting will be dealt with further. |
| 29.4 | Subject to applicable law, additional items on the agenda may be added to the agenda of the next general shareholders' meeting. |
| 29.5 | Subject to applicable law, the formalities completed in order to attend the first general shareholders' meeting, including registration for the general shareholders' meeting, and, as the case may be, the deposit of proxies, shall remain valid for the second general shareholders' meeting. |
| 29.6 | Shareholders who were not present or represented at the previous (adjourned) general shareholders' meeting will be admitted to the next general shareholders' meeting, provided that they have complied with the formalities set out in the applicable legal provisions and these articles of association. |
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Article 30 - MINUTES.
| 30.1 | Minutes shall be drawn up for each general shareholders' meeting, and the attendance list and any reports, proxies and written votes shall be attached thereto. The minutes shall be kept in a special register. |
| 30.2 | The minutes are signed by the members of the bureau and by the shareholders who wish to do so. |
| 30.3 | Except when provided otherwise by law, the copies and/or excerpts of the minutes of the general shareholders' meetings addressed to third parties are signed by the chairperson, by a managing director, by the chief executive officer, or by two directors. Their signature must be preceded by an indication of the capacity in which they act. |
SECTION 2. Management
Article 31.- POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
| 31.1 | The Company has opted for a one tier governance model whereby the board of directors has the authority to take all actions necessary or useful for the realisation of the corporate purpose of the Company, save for those actions for which only the general shareholders' meeting has authority by applicable law. |
| 31.2 | The Company, acting through the board of directors, can, to greatest extent permitted by applicable law, take out insurance coverage in order to cover liability of the directors and agents of the Company and its subsidiaries. |
Article 32.- COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
| 32.1 | The Company is governed by a board of directors, acting as a collective body, and consisting of at least three (3) and maximum nine (9) directors, who need not be shareholders. They shall be appointed by simple majority of the general shareholders' meeting. |
| 32.2 | The directors may be either natural persons or legal persons. When a legal person is appointed as a director, it appoints a natural person as permanent representative in accordance with the applicable legal provisions, subject to acceptance of this person by the other members of the board of directors. The permanent representative is charged with the execution of the assignment in the name and on behalf of the legal person. The legal person may not dismiss its representative without at the same time appointing a successor. The appointment and termination of the mandate of the permanent representative shall be subject to the same rules of disclosure as if it was carrying out this mandate in its own name and for its own account. |
| 32.3 | The duration of their assignment may not exceed six (6) years. The assignments end immediately after the annual meeting in the financial year in which the term of their mandate expires in accordance with the appointment resolution. |
| 32.4 | The directors may be dismissed at any time by the general shareholders' meeting without notice or compensation in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and without prejudice to applicable contractual arrangements. |
| 32.5 | The directors may be reappointed when their mandate expires. |
| 32.6 | Should the mandate of a director become vacant, for any reason whatsoever, the remaining directors shall have the right to temporarily fill such vacancy (co-optation). The next general shareholders' meeting must confirm the mandate of the co-opted director; if confirmed, the co-opted director completes the mandate of his, her or its predecessor, unless the general shareholders' meeting decides otherwise. In the absence of confirmation, the mandate of the co-opted director ends at the end of the general shareholders' meeting, without prejudice to the regularity of the composition of the board of directors up to that moment in time. In case of more than one vacancy, the remaining directors shall have the right to fill all such vacancies simultaneously. As long as the general shareholders' meeting or the board of directors, for any reason whatsoever, does not fill the vacancy, the directors of whom the mandate has ended will remain in function if this is needed for the board of directors to maintain the minimum number of directors as required by applicable law and these articles of association. |
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Article 33.- REIMBURSEMENT.
The Company will reimburse the directors for the reasonable costs and out of pocket expenses incurred by them in respect of attending meetings of the Company or carrying out authorised business on behalf of the Company.
Article 34.- CHAIRPERSON.
| 34.1 | The chairperson of the board of directors is appointed by the board of directors from among its members. The chairperson of the board of directors can elect one or more vice-chairpersons. |
| 34.2 | The chairperson or, in case he, she or it is absent or hindered, a vice-chairperson, if any, or, in the absence of the latter, a director designated by the other board members present, shall chair the meetings of the board of directors. |
Article 35.- CONVOCATION OF BOARD MEETINGS.
| 35.1 | The board of directors shall meet at least four (4) times per year at any location acceptable to the members of the board of directors, with such greater frequency as the directors may require in the interest of the Company or any time two directors or the chairperson so requests. Unless determined otherwise by the board of directors, at least one (1) meeting per year shall be held in person. |
| 35.2 | The board of directors shall meet when convened by and under the presidency of the chairperson or, in case he, she or it is absent or hindered, a vice-chairperson, if any, or, in the absence the latter, a director appointed by the other directors. A board meeting must be called upon the request of one or more directors. |
| 35.3 | The notice of the meeting shall mention the place, date, hour and agenda for the meeting. Unless all directors agree otherwise, notices to attend the board meeting must be in writing and delivered to each director at the latest three (3) calendar days prior to the meeting, except in case of emergency. In case of emergency, the convening notice must be given within not less than twenty-four (24) hours, and the reasons for the emergency should be specified in the notice. The notice shall be sent out by letter, telefax, email or any other written (or electronic) means of communication specified by applicable law. The board of directors may validly deliberate and decide without furnishing proof of the compliance with this formality with respect to the calling of the meeting, provided that all directors are present or have waived their right in writing to be formally invited to the meeting. |
| 35.4 | When all directors are present or validly represented, the valid convening of the meeting cannot be challenged. |
Article 36.- REPRESENTATION AND REMOTE PARTICIPATION.
| 36.1 | Each director may, by any written form of communication bearing his, her or its signature (including an electronic signature), authorise another member of the board of directors to represent him, her or it at a specific meeting of the board of directors and to vote for him, her or it in his, her or its place. Such authorisation must be notified to the board of directors by simple letter or any other means of written (or electronic) communication. A director giving such instructions is regarded as being present at the meeting. Without prejudice to the rules of collegiality, a director may represent several of his, her or its colleagues and may, in addition to his, her or its own vote, cast as many votes as he, she or it has received proxies. |
| 36.2 | Meetings can be held by using any telecommunication means permitting a joint discussion, such as telephone conferencing or video conferencing. Directors taking part in a meeting held by conference call or video conference shall be deemed present at the meeting. |
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Article 37.- DELIBERATIONS.
| 37.1 | The board of directors shall be validly constituted to decide on the items listed on the agenda provided that a majority of the directors is present or validly represented at the meeting. If at a meeting of the board of directors, the quorum is not met, a second meeting of the board of directors with the same agenda shall be convened within twenty (20) Business Days following the first meeting which can validly decide only on the items on the first meeting's agenda whatever the number of directors present or validly represented. |
| 37.2 | Unless provided otherwise by law, every decision of the board of directors shall be valid if approved by a majority of directors present or represented at the relevant meeting. Blank and invalid votes are not included in the numerator, nor in the denominator. In case of abstentions, the resolutions shall be adopted by a simple majority of the votes of the other directors present or represented at the meeting. |
| 37.3 | The board of directors can only validly deliberate and resolve on matters not appearing on the agenda if all members of the board of directors are present or represented at the meeting and have unanimously consented thereto. This consent is assumed to have been given if no objection is recorded in the minutes. |
| 37.4 | Each director has one (1) vote, but may cast, in addition to his, her or its own vote, as many votes as he, she or it has powers of attorney from his, her or its fellow directors. |
| 37.5 | In case votes are tied, the chairperson of the meeting shall not have a casting vote. |
| 37.6 | The board of directors may pass resolutions by unanimous written consent of all directors in accordance with applicable law. |
Article 38.- CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
| 38.1 | If a director has a direct or indirect financial interest which is contrary to the interest of the Company at the occasion of a decision or transaction that falls within the powers of the board of directors, the provisions of Article 7:96 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code must be complied with by the director concerned, as well as by the board of directors in its deliberations and resolutions. |
| 38.2 | If more than one director finds himself, herself or itself in this position, the resolutions can be validly passed by the remaining directors, even if in these circumstances more than half of the directors are no longer present or validly represented. |
| 38.3 | If all directors have a conflict of interest, the decision or the transaction shall be submitted to the general shareholders' meeting. If the general shareholders' meeting approves the decision or the transaction, the board of directors may execute it. |
Article 39.-MINUTES
| 39.1 | The decisions of the board of directors are recorded in minutes signed by the chairperson, or, in the latter's absence, by his, her or its substitute or by a member of the board of directors appointed to act as chairman of the meeting by the board of directors, the secretary and the members who so desire. |
| 39.2 | Any proxy received by a director shall be attached to the minutes of the meeting for which they were given. |
| 39.3 | The minutes shall be recorded in a special register kept at the registered office of the Company. |
| 39.4 | The copies or extracts to be submitted to a court of law or elsewhere are validly signed by the chairperson, by two directors, by the chief executive officer, by a managing director, or by a special proxyholder. |
Article 40.- ALLOCATION OF DUTIES WITHIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
| 40.1 | The board of directors shall have the power and, to the extent required by applicable law, the obligation to establish, in its midst and under its responsibility, one or more advisory committees, such as (but not limited to) an audit committee, a nomination committee and a remuneration committee (which can be combined with the nomination committee). The board of directors determines the composition and duties of these committees. |
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| 40.2 | The board of directors may delegate the daily management of the Company, the management of one or more sectors of its activities or the implementation of the decisions of the board of directors to one or more directors, managers or proxy holders, whether or not shareholders. If a director is charged with the daily management, he, she or it bears the title of "managing director". If a non-director is charged with the daily management, he, she or it shall bear the title of manager or general manager or any other title to which he, she or it are referred in the appointment decision. |
| 40.3 | The board of directors, within the limits of its authority, as well as the proxies for the daily management within the framework of this daily management, may also grant specific and limited powers for a specific legal act or a series of specific legal acts to one or more persons of their choice, directors or not. |
Article 41.-REPRESENTATION AUTHORITY.
| 41.1 | The board of directors shall represent the Company as a body in and out of court. It shall act through the majority of its members. |
| 41.2 | Without prejudice to the general representative powers of the board of directors as a collective body, the Company shall be validly represented vis-à-vis third parties, before the court and in the documents, including those requiring the intervention of a public official or a notary public, by two (2) directors acting jointly. |
| 41.3 | Within the framework of the daily management, the Company is also validly represented by a person charged with daily management (director or non-director), acting alone or jointly in accordance with the delegation resolution of the board of directors. |
| 41.4 | The Company is also, within the framework of their mandate, validly represented by a special proxyholder, without prejudice to the responsibility of the directors in the event of excess of power of attorney. |
| 41.5 | Furthermore, the Company may be represented abroad by any person expressly appointed for this purpose by the board of directors. |
SECTION 3. Control
Article 42.- CONTROL.
| 42.1 | The auditing of the financial situation, the annual accounts and the regularity of the transactions to be reported on in the annual accounts is conferred to one or more statutory auditors, or, in the absence of a statutory auditor, to each shareholder, in each case in accordance with applicable law. |
| 42.2 | The statutory auditors are appointed and remunerated in accordance with applicable law. |
CHAPTER V. FINANCIAL YEAR – ANNUAL ACCOUNTS – DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS.
Article 43.- FINANCIAL YEAR.
The financial year of the Company starts on the first of January and shall end on the thirty-first of December of each year.
Article 44.- DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS.
| 44.1 | The net profits of the financial year are constituted in accordance with the applicable legal provisions. |
| 44.2 | From the net profits of the Company, at least five percent (5%) shall be set aside each year to constitute the legal reserve. Such deduction shall no longer be required as soon as this legal reserve reaches one tenth of the Company's capital. |
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| 44.3 | Upon proposal of the board of directors, the general shareholders' meeting shall annually decide on the allocation of the balance of the net profits by simple majority vote, subject to applicable law. |
| 44.4 | The board of directors shall be entitled to determine whether any profits legally available for distribution with respect to any financial year of the Company will be distributed among the holders of the shares, as well as the place, timing and manner (including applicable currency) thereof. In such case, such profits shall be distributed to shareholders pro rata to their respective holdings of shares. |
| 44.5 | The dividends will be paid at the times and places as determined by the board of directors. All dividends not claimed within five years are time-barred and remain acquired by the Company. They will be allocated to the legal reserve. |
Article 45.- INTERIM DIVIDENDS.
The board of directors is authorised to pay an interim dividend on the result of the financial year and to determine the amount (including applicable currency) and the date of their payment, subject to compliance with applicable law.
Article 46.- PROHIBITED DISTRIBUTION.
Any distribution of dividends made contrary to the law or the terms of these articles of association must be repaid by the shareholder who received it.
CHAPTER VI. DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION.
Article 47.- DISSOLUTION.
The general shareholders' meeting may at any time dissolve the Company, respecting the quorum and majority requirements for modifications of the by-laws.
Article 48.- DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION.
| 48.1 | Subject to the relevant legal provisions with respect to dissolution, the Company can only be dissolved by a decision of the general shareholders' meeting, deliberating in accordance with the applicable legal provisions. |
| 48.2 | The general shareholders' meeting shall have the broadest powers to determine the powers of the liquidators, determine their remuneration and grant them release from liability. |
CHAPTER VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
Article 49. ELECTION OF DOMICILE.
| 49.1 | Every director, person delegated to the daily management, statutory auditor or liquidator residing abroad, is deemed, for the duration of their function, to have elected domicile at the registered office of the Company, for all matters affecting the performance of their duties, where all communications, notifications and summons can be validly served on them, whereas the Company has no other obligation than to keep them available to the recipient. |
| 49.2 | The registered security holders are obliged to notify the Company of any change to their elected domicile. In absence of such notification, they are assumed to have elected domicile at their previous domicile, where all acts may be validly served or notified to them, whereas the Company has no other obligation than to keep them available to the recipient. |
Article 50.- GOVERNING LAW.
All matters not expressly determined in these articles of association, or to the legal provisions from which is not validly derogated in these articles of association are subject to the provisions of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code and other provisions of Belgian law.
Article 51.- CHOICE OF FORUM.
All disputes relating to corporate matters and the implementation of these articles of association between the Company, its shareholders, holders of bonds, holders of subscription rights, or holders of other securities or certificates issued by or with the cooperation of the Company, its directors, statutory auditors, or liquidators, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the jurisdiction of the registered office of the Company, unless otherwise determined by the applicable law.
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Article 52.- PERSONNEL.
Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise defined in these articles of association, for the purposes of these articles of association, "personnel" has the meaning as defined in Article 1:27 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code.
Article 53.- BUSINESS DAY.
For the purposes of these articles of association, "Business Day" means any day from Monday to Friday (included), excluding statutory or banking holidays in Belgium or New York, the United States of America.
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS EXHIBIT, MARKED BY [***], HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS EXHIBIT BECAUSE THE REGISTRANT HAS DETERMINED THAT IT IS BOTH NOT MATERIAL AND IS THE TYPE THAT THE REGISTRANT TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL. 4 November 2024 AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV AND THE SHAREHOLDERS AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION ......................................................................................9 2. AMENDMENT, RESTATEMENT AND EXECUTION ...................................................................9 3. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD ................................................................................................9 4. BOARD MEETINGS AND MAJORITIES....................................................................................12 5. INFORMATION RIGHTS ............................................................................................................13 6. US TAX PROVISIONS................................................................................................................14 7. SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS, MAJORITIES AND CONSENT MATTERS ...............................14 8. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION WARRANTS ..............................................................................16 9. FORMS AND CLASSES OF SHARE – RIGHTS ATTACHED TO THE SHARES.....................17 10. COMPULSORY TRANSFER OF SHARES................................................................................17 11. ISSUES AND TRANSFERS OF SHARES .................................................................................19 12. ANTI-DILUTION ..........................................................................................................................20 13. EXIT ............................................................................................................................................20 14. UNDERTAKINGS BY THE COMPANY......................................................................................21 15. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.....................................................................................................22 16. IMPLEMENTATION OF RIGHTS ...............................................................................................24 17. CONFIDENTIALITY ....................................................................................................................24 18. USE OF NAME ...........................................................................................................................26 19. DURATION AND TERMINATION...............................................................................................26 20. CONFLICT WITH THE NEW ARTICLES ...................................................................................27 21. FURTHER ASSURANCE ...........................................................................................................27 22. COSTS AND EXPENSES...........................................................................................................27 23. NO JOINT LIABILITY..................................................................................................................27 24. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS................................................................................................28 25. NOTICES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT...........................................................28 26. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS .....................................................................34 27. ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR...............................................................................................................35 28. SEVERABILITY...........................................................................................................................36 29. NO PARTNERSHIP....................................................................................................................36 30. ENTIRE AGREEMENT...............................................................................................................36 31. NON-CONTRACTUAL CLAIMS .................................................................................................36 32. GOVERNING LAW .....................................................................................................................36 33. JURISDICTION...........................................................................................................................36 34. PROXY TO INITIAL THE AGREEMENT AND THE EXHIBITS .................................................36 35. COUNTERPARTS ......................................................................................................................36 |
| Confidential ACTIVE/202925561.5 THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT is entered into on 4 November 2024 BETWEEN: (1) AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS, a limited liability company ("naamloze vennootschap" / "société anonyme") organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Posthoflei 1/6, 2600 Antwerp (Berchem), Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities ("rechtspersonenregister" / "registre des personnes morales") held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises ("Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen" / "Banque Carrefour des Entreprises") under number 0674.527.310 (LER Antwerp, division Antwerp) (the Company), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by David Epstein and Tim Knotnerus, in their capacity as director ("bestuurder" / "administrateur"). AND: (2) PAOLO MICHIELI, domiciled at Via Bellini 66, Rivalta di Torino (TO) 10040, Italy. (3) MICHAEL JOHN SCOTT SAUNDERS, domiciled at Avenue de la Jonction 38, Brussels 1190, Belgium. (4) FEDERICA CATERINA LINTY, domiciled at Via Tourneuve 5, Aosta (AO) 11100, Italy. (5) VIRGINIA MORELLO, domiciled at Via Ugo Foscolo 9, 10126 Turin, Italy. (6) MANUELA CAZZANTI, domiciled at Provinciestraat 223 bus 302, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium. (7) DE HAARD ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a limited liability company ("besloten vennootschap"), organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its registered office at 't Zwint 1, Oudelande, 4436 NA, the Netherlands, registered with the commercial register under the KVK number 65961684 (De Haard Antibody Technologies), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Wilhelmina Albertha de Haard – Hoekman, in her capacity as director. (8) EUREMAB SRL, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of Italy, having its registered office at Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 44, I-10123 Torino (TO), Italy, with number REA TO – 1221490 (EuremAb), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Fiorella Altruda, in her capacity as CEO ("amministratore unico"). (9) TIM KNOTNERUS, domiciled at Leeuwerikstraat 53, 1171 TW Badhoevedorp, the Netherlands. (10) TJK LIFE SCIENCES B.V., a limited liability company ("besloten vennootschap"), organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its registered office at Leeuwerikstraat 53, 1171 TW Badhoevedorp, the Netherlands, registered with the commercial register under the KVK number 000033958076 (TJK Life Sciences B.V.), duly represented by Tim Knotnerus, in his capacity as director. (11) V-BIO FUND 1 NV, a limited liability company ("naamloze vennootschap" / "société anonyme"), organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Pieter Van Reysshootlaan 2/104, 9051 Sint-Denijs-Westrem (Ghent), registered with the Register of Legal Entities ("rechtspersonenregister" / "registre des personnes morales") held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises ("Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen" / "Banque Carrefour des Entreprises") under number 0642.766.540 (LER Ghent, division Ghent) (V-BIO), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by V-Bio Management 1 BV, represented by Christina Takke and Katja Rosenkranz, duly authorized. (12) AFB SEED FUND I, a fonds professionnel de capital investissement managed by AdBio Partners, a société par actions simplifiée incorporated under the laws of the Republic of France, |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 having its registered office at 4 rue Thénard, 75005 Paris, France, registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Registry under number 814 881 520 (AFB), duly represented by Alain Huriez, in his capacity as managing director ("directeur général"). (13) BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VENTURE FUND GMBH, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, having its registered office at 55216 Ingelheim am Rhein, Binger Strasse 173, Federal Republic of Germany, registered with the commercial register of the local court of Mainz under number HR B 42763 (BIVF), duly represented for the purpose of this Agreement by Dr. Frank Kalkbrenner and Holger Pittroff. (14) PONTIFAX (ISRAEL) V LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a limited partnership, organized and existing under the laws of Israel, having its registered office at 14 Shenkar St. Herzelia, Israel, registered with the Israeli Registrar of Partnerships under number 540279270 (Pontifax Israël), duly represented by Asaf Shinar, duly authorized. (15) PONTIFAX (CAYMAN) V L.P., a limited partnership, organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, having its registered office at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KYI-1104, Cayman Islands, registered with the Registrar of Limited Partnerships under number MC-94303 (Pontifax Cayman), duly represented by Asaf Shinar, duly authorized. (16) PONTIFAX (CHINA) V L.P., a limited partnership, organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, having its registered office at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KYI-1104, Cayman Islands, registered with the Registrar of Limited Partnerships under number MC-94304 (Pontifax China), duly represented by Asaf Shinar, duly authorized. (17) PONTIFAX LATE STAGE FUND L.P., a limited partnership, organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, having its registered office at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KYI-1104, Cayman Islands, registered with the Registrar of Limited Partnerships under number MC-97739 (Pontifax Late Stage), duly represented by Asaf Shinar, duly authorized. (18) Innovation Pluriel n°4, a French fonds commun de placement dans l'innovation, represented by its general manager (société de gestion) Swen Capital Partners, a French société anonyme, with a share capital of EUR 16,143,920, which registered office is located 20-22 rue Vernier - 75017 Paris, registered with the Trade and Companies Registry of Paris under number 803 812 593 RCS Paris, represented by its delegate (délégataire de gestion) Omnes Capital, a French société par actions simplifiée with a share capital of EUR 8,000,000, which registered office is located 37-41, rue du Rocher, 75008 Paris, registered with the registry of commerce and companies under number 428 711 196 RCS Paris, Omnes Capital (Innovation Pluriel N°4) being represented by Michel de Lempdes, duly authorized. (19) FCPI CAPITAL INVEST PME 2020, a French fonds commun de placement dans l'innovation, represented by Omnes Capital, a French société par actions simplifiée with a share capital equal to 8.000.000 Euros, which registered office is located 37-41, rue du Rocher 75008 Paris and which registration number is 428 711 196 RCS Paris, Omnes Capital being represented by Michel de Lempdes, duly authorized. (20) FCPI CAPITAL INVEST PME 2019, a French fonds commun de placement dans l'innovation, represented by Omnes Capital, a French société par actions simplifiée with a share capital equal to 8.000.000 Euros, which registered office is located 37-41, rue du Rocher 75008 Paris and which registration number is 428 711 196 RCS Paris, Omnes Capital being represented by Michel de Lempdes, duly authorized. (21) FCPI CAPITAL INVEST PME 2018, a French fonds commun de placement dans l'innovation, represented by Omnes Capital, a French société par actions simplifiée with a share capital equal to 8.000.000 Euros, which registered office is located 37-41, rue du Rocher 75008 Paris and which registration number is 428 711 196 RCS Paris, Omnes Capital being represented by Michel de Lempdes, duly authorized. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (22) FCPI CAPITAL INVEST PME 2017, a French fonds commun de placement dans l'innovation, represented by Omnes Capital, a French société par actions simplifiée with a share capital equal to 8.000.000 Euros, which registered office is located 37-41, rue du Rocher 75008 Paris and which registration number is 428 711 196 RCS Paris, Omnes Capital being represented by Michel de Lempdes, duly authorized. (23) FCPI CAPITAL INVEST PME 2016, a French fonds commun de placement dans l'innovation, represented by Omnes Capital, a French société par actions simplifiée with a share capital equal to 8.000.000 Euros, which registered office is located 37-41, rue du Rocher 75008 Paris and which registration number is 428 711 196 RCS Paris, Omnes Capital (FCPI 2016) duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Michel de Lempdes, duly authorized. (24) TORSTEN DREIER, domiciled at Nelemeersstraat 32, 9830 Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium. (25) BIODISCOVERY 5 FPCI, a French private equity fund represented by its management company Andera Partners SCA, a company incorporated under the laws of France, having its registered office at 2 Place Rio de Janeiro, 75008 Paris, France, registered with the Trade and Companies Registry of Paris under number 444 071 989 RCS Paris (Biodiscovery 5), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Jan Van den Bossche, duly authorized. (26) REDMILE BIOPHARMA INVESTMENTS III, L.P., a limited partnership organised and existing under the laws of Delaware, having its principal place of business at Letterman Digital Arts Center, One Letterman Drive, Suite D3-300, San Francisco, California 94129, United States of America, acting by its general partner, REDMILE BIOPHARMA INVESTMENTS III (GP), LLC (Redmile), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Joshua Garcia, duly authorized. (27) CORMORANT PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FUND III, LP, a limited partnership organised and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, acting by its general partner, CORMORANT PRIVATE HEALTHCARE GP III, LLC, having its principal place of business at The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Bihua Chen, duly authorized. (28) CORMORANT GLOBAL HEALTHCARE MASTER FUND, LP, an exempted limited partnership registered in the Cayman, acting by its general partner, CORMORANT GLOBAL GP, LLC, having its principal place of business at Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor MA 02116 Boston, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Bihua Chen, duly authorized. (29) CRMA SPV, LP, an exempted limited partnership registered in the Cayman Islands, acting by its attorney-in-fact, CORMORANT ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, having its principal place of business at Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor MA 02116 Boston, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Bihua Chen, duly authorized. (30) JSH BIOTECH APS, a private limited company ("Anpartsselskab") organised and existing under the laws of Denmark having its principal place of business at Vingaards Alle 39, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by John Haurum, duly authorized. (31) FAMILIEFONDS BZH, a mutual fund under Dutch law ("open fonds voor gemene rekening"), represented by Stichting BZH, a Dutch foundation ("stichting"), having its registered office at 't Zwint 1, Oudelande, 4436 NA, the Netherlands, registered with the commercial register under the KVK number 76599116, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Wilhelmina Albertha de Haard – Hoekman and Hans de Haard, both in their capacity as directors. (32) PFIZER INC., a corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 66 Hudson Blvd. East, New York, New York 10001, United States (Pfizer), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Mike Diem, duly authorized. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (33) WALLEYE OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND LTD, a company limited by shares registered in the Cayman Islands, having its principal place of business at 2800 Niagara Lane N, Plymouth Minnesota 55447, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by William England, duly authorized. (34) FCPI CAPITAL INVEST PME 2021, a French fonds commun de placement dans l'innovation, represented by Omnes Capital, a French société par actions simplifiée with a share capital equal to 8.000.000 Euros, which registered office is located 37-41, rue du Rocher 75008 Paris and which registration number is 428 711 196 RCS Paris, Omnes Capital being represented by Michel de Lempdes, duly authorized. (35) SABADELL ASABYS HEALTH INNOVATION INVESTMENTS, SCR, S.A., a company organised and existing under the laws of Spain, having its registered office at Via Laietana 26, 5th floor, 08003 Barcelona, Spain, registered with the Commercial Registry of Barcelona under volume 46.606, sheet 1, page B-525.265, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Clara Campàs, duly authorized. (36) ASABYS TOP UP FUND, F.C.R., a risk-capital fund organised and existing under the laws of Spain, having its registered office at Via Laietana 26, 5th floor, 08003 Barcelona, Spain, registered with the Administrative Register of Venture Capital Companies of the Spanish Securities and Exchange Commission (CNMV) under number 362, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Clara Campàs, duly authorized. (37) FIDELITY GROWTH COMPANY COMMINGLED POOL, a fund organised and existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, having its principal place of business at 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02210, United States, acting by its trustee FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Chris Maher, duly authorized. (38) FIDELITY MT. VERNON STREET TRUST: FIDELITY GROWTH COMPANY K6 FUND, a fund organised and existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, having its principal place of business at 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02210, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Chris Maher, duly authorized. (39) FIDELITY MT. VERNON STREET TRUST: FIDELITY GROWTH COMPANY FUND, a fund organised and existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, having its principal place of business at 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02210, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Chris Maher, duly authorized. (40) FIDELITY MT. VERNON STREET TRUST: FIDELITY SERIES GROWTH COMPANY FUND, a fund organised and existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, having its principal place of business at 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02210, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Chris Maher, duly authorized. (41) FIDELITY SELECT PORTFOLIOS: PHARMACEUTICALS PORTFOLIO, a fund organised and existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, having its principal place of business at 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02210, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Chris Maher, duly authorized. (42) LSP 7 Coöperatief U.A., a cooperative company organised and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its registered office at Johannes Vermeerplein 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and registered with the commercial register under the KVK number 83149678 (EQT), duly represented by its sole director LSP 7 Management B.V., duly represented by Martijn Kleijwegt and René Kuijten, in their capacity as directors. (43) Memory Investments S.à.r.l., a limited liability company organised and existing under the laws of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 2 rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg and registered with the commercial register under the number B271832 (Dawn), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by either Thomas Weber or Jan Konighaus, each in their capacity as manager. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (44) Canaan XII L.P., a limited partnership registered in the Cayman Islands, acting by its general partner, CANAAN PARTNERS XII LLC, having its principal place of business at 700 Fairfield Avenue, Suite 1, Stamford CT 06902, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Tim Shannon, in his capacity as manager. (45) CORMORANT PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FUND V, LP, a limited partnership organised and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, acting by its general partner, CORMORANT PRIVATE HEALTHCARE GP V, LLC, having its principal place of business at The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Bihua Chen, duly authorized. (46) SANOFI FOREIGN PARTICIPATIONS B.V., a private limited company ("Besloten Vennootschap"), organised and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its registered office at Paasheuvelweg 25, 1105 BP Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Sanofi), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Josef Rytir, duly authorized. (47) INVUS PUBLIC EQUITIES, L.P., a Bermuda limited partnership, having its principal place of business at 750 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, USA (Invus), duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Raymond Debbane, in his capacity as President of its General Partner. (48) CORMORANT PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FUND IV, LP, a limited partnership organised and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, acting by its general partner, CORMORANT PRIVATE HEALTHCARE GP IV, LLC, having its principal place of business at The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801, United States, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by Bihua Chen, duly authorized. (49) SABADELL ASABYS HEALTH INNOVATION INVESTMENTS II F.C.R., a venture capital fund, organized and existing under Spanish law incorporated and registered in the Administrative Registry of la Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) under number 393, and provided with ISIN number ES0166370009, having its registered office at Via Laietana, 26 5th floor, 08003 Barcelona, Spain, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by its managing company Asabys Partners, S.G.E.I.C., S.A.U., (Asabys), with registered office at Via Laietana, 26 5ª planta 08003 Barcelona registered with the CNMV number 165. Asabys is hereby duly represented by Mrs. Clara Campàs Moya, acting in her capacity as Managing Director of Asabys. (50) SABADELL ASABYS HEALTH INNOVATION INVESTMENTS 2B S.C.R., S.A., a venture capital company organized and existing under Spanish law registered with the CNMV number 472 provided with ISIN number ES0123982003, having its registered office at Via Laietana, 26 5th floor, 08003 Barcelona, Spain, duly represented for the purposes of this Agreement by its managing company Asabys Partners, S.G.E.I.C., S.A.U., (Asabys), with registered office at Via Laietana, 26 5ª planta 08003 Barcelona registered with the CNMV number 165. Asabys is hereby duly represented by Mrs. Clara Campàs Moya, acting in her capacity as Managing Director of Asabys. (51) FCPI CAPITAL INVEST PME 2023, a French fonds commun de placement dans l'innovation, represented by Omnes Capital, a French société par actions simplifiée with a share capital equal to 8,000,000 Euros, which registered office is located 37-41, rue du Rocher 75008 Paris and which registration number is 428 711 196 RCS Paris, Omnes Capital being represented by Michel de Lempdes, duly authorized. The Parties numbered (1) to (51) (inclusive) are individually referred to as a Party and jointly as the Parties. The Parties numbered (2) to (45) (inclusive) are individually referred to as an Existing Shareholder and jointly as the Existing Shareholders. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 The Parties numbered (2) to (8) (inclusive) are individually referred to as a Founder and jointly as the Founders. The Parties numbered (14) to (17) (inclusive), (25), (28), (31), (33), (34), (37) to (51) (inclusive) are individually referred to as an Investor and jointly as the Investors. The Parties numbered (14) to (17) (inclusive) are jointly referred to as Pontifax. The Parties numbered (18) to (23) (inclusive), (34), and (51) are jointly referred to as Omnes Funds. The Parties numbered (27) to (29) (inclusive), (45) and (48) are jointly referred to as Cormorant. The Parties numbered (37) to (41) (inclusive) are jointly referred to as the Fidelity Investors. For the avoidance of doubt each Fidelity Investor is acting severally, and not jointly and severally. WHEREAS: (A) The Company is a limited liability company ("naamloze vennootschap" / "société anonyme") organized and existing under the laws of Belgium. (B) The Company is active in the field of agonistic antibodies for regenerative medicine, tissue-restricted TGFb receptor inhibitors and new therapeutics for the treatment of diseases requiring tissue repair (the Business Activities). (C) The Company and the Existing Shareholders are parties to the shareholders' agreement of 5 March 2021 with respect to, amongst others, the governance and shareholding structure of the Company (as amended and restated on 10 October 2023 and as amended by the resolutions adopted by the extraordinary shareholders' meeting on 8 July 2024, collectively, the Existing Agreement). (D) The Parties wish to amend and restate the Existing Agreement in its entirety on the terms of this Agreement and to accept the rights created pursuant hereto in lieu of the rights granted under the Existing Agreement. THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION For the purposes of this Agreement, the terms and expressions that have not been defined elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified or referred to in Schedule 1. 2. AMENDMENT, RESTATEMENT AND EXECUTION Each of the Parties agrees that this Agreement amends, restates and replaces the Existing Agreement on the terms set out in this Agreement and each of the Parties accepts the rights created pursuant hereto in lieu of the rights granted to them (as applicable) under the Existing Agreement. Each of the parties to the Existing Agreement shall stand released and discharged from all obligations arising under or resulting from the Existing Agreement and none of the parties to the Existing Agreement shall be entitled to exercise (and each such party waives) any rights to make any claim against any of the others under or in relation to the Existing Agreement or its amendment, restatement and replacement. Pursuant to the variation of the Existing Agreement under this clause 2, the provisions of this Agreement are binding on each of the parties to the Existing Agreement in substitution for the terms of the Existing Agreement and shall be enforceable against him, her or it, in accordance with its terms. 3. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD 3.1 The Board shall consist of a maximum of eight (8) Directors. At the date of this Agreement, the Board shall be composed as follows: |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (A) David Epstein (the Chairperson Director and an Independent Director); (B) Tim Knotnerus (the CEO Director); (C) Ming Fang (the Series B Investor Director); (D) Ohad Hammer (the Series A Investor Director); (E) Angelika Martha Jahreis (Independent Director); (F) Felice Verduyn - van Weegen (the Series C Investor Director). 3.2 For so long as it continues to hold Preferred C Shares, EQT shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series C Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a director pursuant to clause 3.10. 3.3 For so long as it continues to hold Preferred B Shares, Redmile shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series B Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a director pursuant to clause 3.10. 3.4 The holders of a majority in number of the Preferred A Shares from time to time shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series A Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a director pursuant to clause 3.10. 3.5 The Board (acting by majority vote excluding the CEO Director then appointed (if any)) shall have the right to propose one person to act as a Director and CEO of the Company (the CEO Director) and to propose that any such person be removed as CEO Director and propose another CEO Director in his or her place and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to clause 3.10. 3.6 Subject to Preferred Majority Consent, the Board (acting by majority vote) shall have the right to propose up to two natural persons to act as non-executive independent directors (each an Independent Director and together the Independent Directors), and to remove any Independent Director so proposed and propose another Independent Director in his or her place. One Independent Director (as proposed by the Board) shall serve as the chairperson of the Board (the Chairperson Director). Both Independent Directors shall, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, have relevant industry expertise, and one of the Independent Directors shall serve as the chairperson of the Company's audit committee, and shall also need to have the necessary competence and experience in finance, accounting and auditing. 3.7 Subject to the consent of at least one Investor Director and Preferred Majority Consent, the Board (acting by majority vote) shall have the right to propose up to two further natural persons to act as non-executive directors, and to remove any such director so proposed and propose another director in his or her place. 3.8 Each of the Directors appointed pursuant to this clause 3 shall be elected from a list of at least two (2) candidates for each position to be filled proposed by the relevant Shareholder or group of Shareholders. 3.9 The Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose candidates for a position as a director of the Company shall notify the Company and the other Shareholders in writing of the identity of their nominees at least fifteen (15) days prior to the general meeting at which the Director(s) are to be appointed. 3.10 The appointment, removal and replacement of a Director proposed pursuant to clauses 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 shall be effected at a general meeting convened for that purpose by the Company within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice from the relevant Shareholder or group |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 of Shareholders pursuant to clause 3.9 at which the Shareholders shall vote their shares in favour of the proposal by the relevant nominating Shareholder or Shareholders. 3.11 Any vacancy on the Board must be filled within one (1) month following the date on which such position became vacant. If a Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose a director in accordance with this clause 3 fail to present a proposed candidate within such one (1) month period, the general meeting may appoint, at its discretion, a director to fill the position for which no candidate was presented, until such Shareholder or group of Shareholders has presented its candidate for such position. Such failure to present candidates does not entail a waiver from the right to present candidates for election, and the Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose candidates for a director's mandate shall have the right to request that a new general meeting of the Company be convened to elect the candidates that shall be so presented by it or them for election. 3.12 In case a vacancy occurs on the Board and a director needs to be co-opted, the same right of proposal shall be vested to the Shareholder or group of Shareholders which had proposed the director for the position that has become vacant. 3.13 If and for as long as they continue to hold Preferred Shares: (A) Fidelity may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place. (B) Dawn may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place. (C) Canaan may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place. (D) Biodiscovery 5 FPCI may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place. 3.14 An Observer shall be entitled to receive notice of, attend and speak (but not vote) at all meetings of the Board and committees of the Board. An Observer shall be entitled to receive notice of meetings of the Board (and committees of the Board) and copies of the minutes of meetings of the Board (and committees of the Board) on the same basis as if he were a Director (including as to the confidentiality thereof) and shall be entitled to receive copies of all other papers circulated to the Board and committees of the Board, in each case subject to exclusion to preserve attorney-client privilege, and subject to conflict of interest procedures (which shall apply to an Observer on the same basis as if the Observer were a Director), if needed. 3.15 The Company will reimburse the Directors and the Observers with the reasonable costs and out of pocket expenses incurred by them in respect of attending meetings of the Company or carrying out authorised business on behalf of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, no business advisory, monitoring or other fee will be paid to the Investor Directors, the Observers or the Shareholders entitled to propose the appointment of the Investor Directors or the Observers. 3.16 The appointment or removal of an Observer pursuant to clause 3.13 shall be by notice in writing from the appointing Shareholder (or, in the case of the Fidelity Investors, FMR) and shall take effect when received by the Company at its registered office or produced to a meeting of the Board (or committee of the Board). |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 3.17 A Key Manager who is a Type A Leaver, a Type B Leaver or a Type C Leaver (as the case may be) will immediately resign from his/her directorship. 3.18 The Parties agree that: (A) no Investor Director shall be under any obligation to disclose any information or opportunities to the Company except to the extent that the information or opportunity was passed to him expressly in his capacity as a Director; and (B) each Investor Director or Observer shall be at liberty from time to time to make full disclosure of any information relating to the Company to the Shareholder(s) who appointed him and its or their respective, managers, advisors or sub-advisors, Affiliates or Affiliated Funds or the directors, officers, employees, professional advisers of such entities. 3.19 Subject to clause 3.18(B), each Shareholder shall procure that its respective Investor Director(s) and/or Observer(s) shall comply with clause 17. 3.20 Any Investor Director shall be entitled at his or her request to be appointed to any committee of the Board established from time to time. 4. BOARD MEETINGS AND MAJORITIES 4.1 Board Meetings (A) The Board shall meet at least four (4) times per year at any location (and provide facilities to accommodate remote attendance) acceptable to the members of the Board, or with such greater frequency as the Directors may require in the interest of the Company. Unless determined otherwise by the Board, at least two (2) meetings per year shall be held in person. (B) Notices to attend the Board meeting must be in writing and delivered to each Director and Observer at the latest ten (10) Business Days prior to the meeting. The Board may validly deliberate and decide without furnishing proof of the compliance with this formality with respect to the calling of the meeting, provided that all Directors are present or have waived their right in writing to be formally invited to the meeting. (C) Each Director may, by any written form of communication bearing his signature, authorise another member of the Board to represent him at a specific meeting. A Director may represent several of his colleagues and may, in addition to his own vote, cast as many votes as he has received proxies. (D) The Board shall be validly constituted to decide on the issues listed on the agenda provided that a majority of the Directors, including the CEO Director and at least one (1) Investor Director, is present or validly represented at the meeting. Minutes of all Board and any committee meetings shall be sent to each Director within thirty (30) Business Days of such meetings. (E) If at a meeting of the Board, the quorum is not met, a second meeting of the Board with the same agenda shall be convened within twenty (20) Business Days following the first meeting which can validly decide only on the items on the first meeting's agenda whatever the number and class of Directors present or validly represented (subject to clause 4.2(A)). (F) Subject to clause 4.1(a), the Board can meet by telephone or videoconference or any other method by which each Director or Observer is able to be understood by the other Directors or Observers present. 4.2 Board Majorities |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (A) The Company shall not and the Shareholders shall procure (to the extent within their power) that the Company shall not undertake any of the matters listed in Schedule 2 without the prior consent of the Board (including consent of at least one (1) Investor Director, if then appointed). The Company shall procure (to the extent relevant and permitted in accordance with applicable law) that none of the matters listed in Schedule 2 are undertaken at the level of a Subsidiary, without the prior consent of the Board (including consent of at least one (1) Investor Director, if then appointed). (B) Unless provided otherwise in this Agreement or in the New Articles, every decision of the Board shall be valid if approved by a majority of the Directors present or represented at the relevant meeting. (C) The Board may pass resolutions by unanimous written consent in accordance with the applicable rules of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. (D) Each Director has one (1) vote but may cast, in addition to his own vote, as many votes as he has powers of attorney from his fellow Directors. 5. INFORMATION RIGHTS 5.1 The Company shall prepare and deliver the following information to each Major Investor as well as to Dawn: (A) audited annual accounts within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days at the end of each fiscal year; (B) quarterly management update on the key progress of the research and development programs, and business development activities within thirty (30) calendar days at the end of each quarter; (C) unaudited quarterly financial accounts, including cash flow statements, within sixty (60) calendar days at the end of each quarter; (D) quarterly capitalisation table updates (which will disclose grants of options) within sixty (60) calendar days at the end of each quarter; (E) quarterly updates on the number of employees and managers of the Company within sixty (60) calendar days at the end of each quarter; (F) annual budget for the next fiscal year, including a cash flow forecast, no later than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to start of the next fiscal year as well as any updates or revisions to such budget; (G) any other information reasonably requested by any of the Major Investors. The unaudited quarterly financial accounts referred to under clause 5.1(C) will also be provided to V-BIO and Omnes Funds. 5.2 If the Company fails to comply with its obligations under clause 5.1(A) - 5.1(F) (inclusive) and does not remedy such failure within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of notification from a Major Investor of such failure to comply with such clause, any such Major Investor shall be entitled to appoint an auditor ("réviseur d'entreprises" / "bedrijfsrevisor") of a reputable audit firm to enter the Company's premises, access the Company's books and records and to obtain such information at the Company's expense. The Company shall provide any such auditor with access to senior management on reasonable notice and at reasonable business times. 5.3 The Company shall not be obligated to provide any Major Investor with access to information pursuant to this Agreement that it reasonably and in good faith considers to be a trade secret (unless covered by an enforceable confidentiality agreement) or the disclosure of which would adversely affect the attorney-client privilege between the Company and its counsel. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 5.4 The aforementioned information rights shall terminate in the event of an IPO. 6. US TAX PROVISIONS 6.1 The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid being treated in any taxable year as a "passive foreign investment company" (PFIC) as such term is defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the U.S. Tax Code). In addition, the Company shall on a yearly basis timely make available to the Investors all information that would reasonably permit the Investors to determine whether the Company is expected to be, or was, a PFIC or a "controlled foreign corporation" (CFC) as defined in the U.S. Tax Code for any taxable year. If an Investor believes there is a reasonable possibility that the Company will be a PFIC or CFC for any taxable year, the Company will, with such advice as may be reasonably requested from such Investor, prepare the information required to comply with applicable PFIC and / or CFC reporting requirements. 6.2 If an Investor believes it is reasonably possible that the Company could be determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year, the Company shall provide the information necessary in order for such Investor to timely and properly make an election under section 1295 of the U.S. Tax Code to treat the Company as a "qualified electing fund" (a QEF Election) and comply with all of the reporting requirements applicable to such a QEF Election. At the request of such Investor, the Company will obtain professional assistance experienced in matters relating to the relevant aspects of the U.S. Tax Code to the extent necessary to make the determination and to provide the information described above. 7. SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS, MAJORITIES AND CONSENT MATTERS 7.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations and the New Articles, general meetings can be convened by means of registered mail or e-mail or any other means of communication explicitly agreed upon in writing by each of the Shareholders. 7.2 Unless the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, this Agreement or the New Articles provide for more stringent majority and quorum requirements for a general meeting, a general meeting shall be validly constituted provided that at least one half of the Shares, including the Preferred B Majority, the Preferred C Majority and the Preferred D Majority, is present or represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and all decisions are made by a simple majority of the votes cast. 7.3 If at a first general meeting the quorum set out in clause 7.2 is not met, a second general meeting with the same agenda shall be convened within fifteen (15) calendar days following the first meeting which can validly decide on the items on the agenda whether or not the quorum set out in clause 7.2 is not met (subject to clause 7.4). 7.4 Notwithstanding more stringent provisions set out in the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, for so long as any of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement, remain outstanding: (A) each of the Shareholders shall exercise all voting rights and powers of control available to it in relation to the Company to procure that, save with Preferred Majority Consent, the Company shall not effect any of the matters set out in clause 7.5; and (B) the Company agrees that, save with Preferred Majority Consent, it shall not effect any of the matters set out in clause 7.5, and that it shall procure, save with Preferred Majority Consent, not to effect any of the matters set out in clause 7.5 at the level of a Subsidiary, to the extent relevant and permitted in accordance with applicable law. 7.5 The matters referred to in clause 7.4 are: (A) any distribution of dividends; (B) any further issue of shares by the Company; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (C) any amendment to the New Articles or the rights attaching to any shares; (D) any merger, sale or listing of the Company, and any sale of all or an important part of the assets of the Company (which for completeness, includes an Exit and an IPO); (E) any bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or judicial reorganisation of the Company; (F) the entering into of any joint venture; (G) any Holding Company Reorganisation; (H) any merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or acquisition, involving the Company or its Subsidiaries, in which the Company or its Subsidiaries are not the surviving entity; (I) any issuance and grant of options or warrants other than under the Employee Stock Option Plan and within the ESOP Cap; (J) any increase to the ESOP Cap; (K) other than as expressly contemplated by this agreement, the New Articles or the Subscription Agreement as regards any Investor (except Pfizer), enter into or vary any transaction or arrangement with, or for the benefit of any of the Directors or Shareholders or any person who is an Affiliate of the Directors or Shareholders other than employment and equity incentive arrangements in the ordinary course and consistent with the Company's past practice; (L) granting of shares, guarantees, payment undertakings, loans or similar undertakings which in aggregate exceed five hundred thousand euro (EUR 500,000) (other than transactions with or between subsidiaries); (M) acquisitions and disposals of a business or a real estate (or a material part thereof) by the Company; (N) increase or decrease of the Company´s capital (save pursuant to the issue of ESOP Common Shares under the Employee Stock Option Plan), and the grant to the Board of the power to increase the capital by means of authorized capital as well as an increase of the authorized capital; (O) repurchase of its own shares by the Company, save from any Leaver; (P) the appointment or removal of any person as a Director (save in accordance with clause 3); and (Q) any increase in the number of Directors above eight (8). 7.6 Notwithstanding clause 7.4, any of the following shall require (i) Preferred B Majority Consent, (ii) Preferred C Majority Consent and (iii) Preferred D Majority Consent, and, for the avoidance of doubt in the case of each of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, not Preferred Majority Consent: (A) alteration, modification or variation of the Company's share capital that constitutes an alteration, change or amendment to, or abrogation of, the preferences, privileges or rights of Preferred B Shares and/or Preferred C Shares and/or Preferred D Shares; (B) authorisation or any issue of (or the obligation to authorise or issue) any security (whether equity, convertible debt or a unit of debt and equity securities or any other convertible securities) in any Subsidiary other than exclusively to the Company or another Subsidiary; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (C) approval of a Liquidity Event or waiver of the treatment of a transaction as a Liquidity Event (except that Preferred B Majority Consent and Preferred C Majority Consent are not required if total distributions in respect of the Preferred B Shares and the Preferred C Shares exceed 2.0x the subscription price paid for Preferred B Shares and Preferred C Shares, respectively, and, Preferred D Majority Consent is not required if total distributions in respect of the Preferred D Shares exceed 2.0x the subscription price paid for Preferred D Shares); (D) authorisation or any issue of (or the Company obligating itself to authorise or issue) any security (whether equity, convertible debt or a unit of debt and equity securities or any other convertible securities) in the Company pari passu with or senior to the Preferred B Shares (other than the Anti-Dilution B Warrants or any shares issuable on exercise of such Anti-Dilution B Warrants), the Preferred C Shares (other than the Anti-Dilution C Warrants or any shares issuable on exercise of such Anti-Dilution C Warrants) or the Preferred D Shares (other than the Anti-Dilution D Warrants or any shares issuable on exercise of such Anti-Dilution D Warrants) (E) amendment or alteration of any existing security of the Company that has rights (economic or otherwise) that are junior to or pari passu with the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred C Shares or the Preferred D Shares if such amendment or alteration would render such other security pari passu with or senior to, as applicable, the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred C Shares or the Preferred D Shares (save with respect to any Holding Company Reorganisation and/or any other matter in connection with any Qualifying IPO only); (F) waiver of any anti-dilution adjustment applicable to the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred C Shares or the Preferred D Shares, except for the adjustments provided under Clause 9 of Schedule 4 to the Subscription Agreement; (G) any action that modifies, amends or waives the rights, preferences or privileges of the Common Shares, the Preferred A Shares, the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred C Shares, the Preferred D Shares or the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate in a manner that is adverse to the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred C Shares or the Preferred D Shares; or (H) any action that increases or decreases the number of authorized Preferred B Shares, authorized Preferred C Shares or authorized Preferred D Shares. 7.7 Each Investor Director or Observer, or such other person as an Investor may nominate (by giving notice in writing to the Company), shall be authorised to communicate in writing the consent of its appointing Investor to any of the matters referred to in clause 7.5 and clause 7.6. 7.8 A Shareholder may provide its consent to any of the matters referred to in clause 7.5 or clause 7.6 in the following ways: (A) a document signed (including by electronic means) by such Shareholder or by an authorised representative of such Shareholder; or (B) an email from a designated authorized officer, specifying the title and authority of such officer, of such Shareholder expressly giving such consent on behalf of such Investor. 7.9 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the New Articles to the contrary, for so long as Sanofi, Pfizer, Fidelity and EQT respectively (together with their respective Permitted Transferees) continue to hold Shares, any amendment to article 11.7.8 of the New Articles that has as its purpose or effect the removal of the prohibition on a Major Investor being required to provide any restrictive covenant in connection with the exercise of the Drag Along Right (as defined in the New Articles) shall require the prior written consent of Sanofi, Pfizer, Fidelity and EQT respectively. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 7.10 As long as Sanofi holds a number of Preferred D Shares that represents more than 25% of the outstanding Preferred D Shares from time to time, it shall, in connection with any Preferred D Extraordinary Resolution that is provided to the shareholders or a general shareholders' meeting of the Company, provide to the Chairperson Director and the CEO Director, each acting individually, an irrevocable power of attorney with respect to such number of Preferred D Shares held by Sanofi that is in excess of the number of Preferred D Shares that represents 25% of the outstanding Preferred D Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number) minus one (1), in accordance with the substantive terms set forth in the proxy agreement attached as Schedule 7. 8. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION WARRANTS 8.1 The Company shall be entitled to grant options and other awards with respect to its ESOP Common Shares to key managers, the employees, directors and/or outside consultants and/or advisors of the Company and/or its Affiliates pursuant to the rules of the Employee Stock Option Plan. 8.2 The Employee Stock Option Plan will be implemented through the issue of warrants (the Employee Stock Option Warrants) in accordance with the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations or any other scheme which is deemed appropriate from a tax, social security or company law point of view, as determined by the Board. 8.3 The number of new ESOP Common Shares reserved for the Employee Stock Option plan (the ESOP Cap) shall equal a maximum of seventeen percent (17%) of the fully diluted capitalization of the Company immediately after Completion, it being understood that the ESOP Cap (i) shall include all granted and ungranted, and allocated and unallocated employee options in existence immediately after Completion, and (ii) shall not include any of the Company's existing Common Shares or options to acquire Common Shares that have been issued, granted, promised or otherwise committed by the Company (verbally or in writing) prior to the Completion Date. 8.4 Employee Stock Option Warrants that become unexercisable, for example because of the departure of a beneficiary from the Company before the options are vested, shall become available for re-issue to other beneficiaries, it being understood that such options will be part of a new plan, with, as the case may be, a new vesting period and a new exercise price, in each case as may be determined by the Board. 8.5 Subject to any adjustments pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan, each Employee Stock Option Warrant issued under the Employee Stock Option Plan shall entitle its holder to subscribe to one (1) ESOP Common Share. 8.6 For the avoidance of doubt, no Preferred Majority Consent, no Preferred B Majority Consent, no Preferred C Majority Consent and no Preferred D Majority Consent shall be required prior to issue any Employee Stock Option Warrant or the issue of ESOP Common Shares on the valid exercise of any Employee Stock Option Warrant, provided that the number of ESOP Common Shares does not exceed the ESOP Cap. If the Company wishes to increase the ESOP Cap, after approval from the Board, such increase shall require Preferred Majority Consent in accordance with clause 7.5(J). 9. FORMS AND CLASSES OF SHARE – RIGHTS ATTACHED TO THE SHARES 9.1 The Shares shall be divided in Common Shares, ESOP Common Shares, Preferred A Shares, Preferred B Shares, Preferred C Shares and Preferred D Shares, as follows: (A) The Shares issued to the Existing Shareholders in the framework of the incorporation of the Company are Common Shares. (B) The Shares issued pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan of the Company to key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company are ESOP Common Shares. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (C) The Shares issued to the Existing Shareholders in the framework of the Seed Investment are Preferred A Shares. (D) The Shares issued to the Existing Shareholders in the framework of the Series A Investment are Preferred A Shares. (E) The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Anti-Dilution A Warrants shall be Preferred A Shares. (F) The Shares issued to the Existing Shareholders in the framework of the Series B Investment are Preferred B Shares. (G) The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Anti-Dilution B Warrants shall be Preferred B Shares. (H) The Shares issued to the Investors in the framework of the Series C Investment shall be Preferred C Shares. (I) The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Anti-Dilution C Warrants shall be Preferred C Shares. (J) The Shares issued to the Investors in the framework of the Series D Investment shall be Preferred D Shares. (K) The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Anti-Dilution D Warrants shall be Preferred D Shares. (L) The Shares issued upon conversion of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate immediately prior to the occurrence of an IPO shall be Common Shares. 9.2 All Shares in the Company shall benefit from the same rights and privileges unless specified otherwise in this Agreement or in the New Articles. 10. COMPULSORY TRANSFER OF SHARES 10.1 Type A Leaver (A) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each of the Key Managers grants to the Company (within the limits allowed by the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations) and, if the Company does not exercise such right, to each of the other Shareholders (i.e. other than the Shareholder who is a Type A Leaver, a Type B Leaver or a Type C Leaver), for no other consideration than the obligations undertaken under this Agreement, a call option (the Call Option) on all the Shares held by the relevant Key Manager (the Option Shares), which can be exercised if such Key Manager (as the case may be) leaves the Company and is a Type A Leaver. On the occurrence of a Type A Leaver event, if the Company does not plan to exercise its Call Option, it will notify all Shareholders of its intention not to exercise and of the Shareholders' right to exercise their Call Option in accordance with clause 10.1(C). (B) The exercise price for the Call Option shall be in aggregate one euro (EUR 1.00) for all Option Shares, held by the relevant Type A Leaver. (C) Each of the Shareholders can exercise the Call Option on the Option Shares by sending a written exercise notice within ten (10) Business Days of being notified by the Company of the Type A Leaver event, to the relevant Key Manager with a copy to the Company indicating the number of Option Shares with respect to which the Call Option is exercised (which shall not be greater than the number of Option Shares at the time the exercise notice is served in accordance with the terms of this Agreement). In case the Call Option is in aggregate exercised for more than one hundred percent (100%) of the underlying Shares, the Option Shares shall be allocated between each Shareholder (i.e. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 other than the Shareholder who is a Type A Leaver, a Type B Leaver or a Type C Leaver) who exercised the Call Option pro rata to their shareholding in the Company, unless otherwise agreed between the Shareholders. (D) The Board shall take the necessary actions in order to register the transfer of the Option Shares in the share register of the Company. (E) Unless the Board determines otherwise, all Employee Stock Option Warrants, whether or not vested in accordance with the Employee Stock Option Plan, held by a Type A Leaver will automatically expire, without any right of exercise and without any compensation being due by the Company. 10.2 Type B Leaver (A) In the event that a Key Manager is a Type B Leaver, then such Key Manager may be obliged, at the discretion of the Board, to transfer but not sell, within one month of the leaving event, all Shares held by such a Key Manager to a holding structure ("stichting"/"fondation") or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated at that time and to be controlled by the Company, and the Type B Leaver will be entitled to receive the proceeds from those Shares held in escrow by said holding structure. The Company procures that the holding structure shall enter into an appropriate certification or other similar agreement with the relevant Key Manager who is a Type B Leaver in this respect, setting out amongst other matters, the notification and information duties by such holding structure in connection with a sale or other transfer of such Shares. (B) The Employee Stock Option Warrants held by the Type B Leaver which are vested, in accordance with the Employee Stock Option Plan, but not exercised yet at the moment of leaving, must be exercised during the first valid exercise period for the vested Employee Stock Option Warrants after the leaving event in accordance with the Employee Stock Option Plan, and vested Employee Stock Option Warrants not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period will expire without any compensation being due by the Company. The Shares held by the Key Manager following the exercise of the vested Employee Stock Option Warrants will be subject to clause 10.2(A). (C) Unless the Board determines otherwise, all Employee Stock Option Warrants not vested in accordance with the Employee Stock Option Plan, held by a Type B Leaver, will automatically expire, without any right of exercise and without any compensation being due by the Company. (D) All Shares held by a Type B Leaver (other than Common Shares or ESOP Common Shares) at the time of the leaving event may, at the discretion of the Board, be converted into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 10.3 Type C Leaver (A) In the event that a Key Manager is a Type C Leaver, then such a Key Manager may be obliged, at the discretion of the Board, to transfer but not sell, within one month of the leaving event, all Shares held by such a Key Manager to a holding structure ("stichting"/"fondation") or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated at that time and to be controlled by the Company, and the Type C Leaver will be entitled to receive the proceeds from those Shares held in escrow by said holding structure. The Company procures that the holding structure shall enter into an appropriate certification or other similar agreement with the relevant Key Manager who is a Type C Leaver in this respect, setting out amongst other matters, the notification and information duties by such holding structure in connection with a sale or other transfer of such Shares. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (B) The Employee Stock Option Warrants held by the Type C Leaver which are vested, in accordance with the Employee Stock Option Plan, but not exercised yet at the moment of leaving, may be exercised during any valid exercise period set forth in the Employee Stock Option Plan after the leaving event. The Shares held by the Key Manager following the exercise of the vested Employee Stock Option Warrants will be subject to clause 10.3(A). (C) Unless otherwise decided by the Board, all Employee Stock Option Warrants not vested in accordance with the Employee Stock Option Plan, held by a Type C Leaver, will automatically expire, without any right of exercise and without any compensation being due by the Company. (D) All Shares held by a Type C Leaver (other than Common Shares or ESOP Common Shares) at the time of the leaving event may, at the discretion of the Board, be converted into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 10.4 Founder Shares Upon decision by the Board, the Founders may be obliged to transfer but not sell, all Shares held by each Founder to a holding structure ("stichting"/"fondation") or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated at that time and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be), and the Founders will be entitled to receive the proceeds from those Shares held in escrow by said holding structure, but all other rights (including voting rights) with respect to the Shares will vest in this holding structure/entity. 11. ISSUES AND TRANSFERS OF SHARES 11.1 Each of the Shareholders undertakes to the other Shareholders that it shall not, and shall not agree to, transfer, mortgage, charge or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of his or her interest in, or grant any option or other rights over, any Shares except in accordance with the New Articles or this Agreement. 11.2 Without prejudice to clause 11.1, none of the Shareholders shall effect any transfer, mortgage, charge or other disposal of any interest in Shares described in clause 11.1 nor shall the Company issue any shares or Securities to any person who is not a party to this Agreement without first obtaining from the transferee or subscriber an Accession Deed, unless otherwise approved by the Board. 11.3 Except in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the New Articles, no issue, transfer or registration of any Share or Security other than to an existing Shareholder may be made unless: (i) the subscriber or transferee has first agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement (as amended in writing by the parties to it from time to time) by executing an Accession Deed and has delivered that Accession Deed to the Company; and (ii) the transferor of the Shares has provided the Company with a Confirmation Notice at least twenty (20) Business Days prior to any transfer. 11.4 Subject to clause 11.1, no share transfer or issue of shares shall be registered unless an Accession Deed has been delivered to the Company. 11.5 Any person executing an Accession Deed shall be deemed to be a party to this Agreement and a Shareholder on compliance with all relevant provisions of this clause and being registered as the holder of any Shares. 11.6 References in this Agreement to transfer means, when used with respect to Shares or Warrants, any transaction with as a goal, or resulting in, the transfer of any ownership rights on such Shares or Warrants, for valuable consideration or for free, even when carried out by way of public auction, voluntarily or by virtue of a judicial decision, including, but not limited to, contributions, exchange transactions, transfers of universalities, transfers of business divisions, mergers, de-mergers, absorptions, liquidations or similar transactions, as well as the granting |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 of options to purchase or sell such Shares or Warrants, the offer of (preferential) subscription rights on such Shares or Warrants or the conclusion of a swap, forward sale or other agreement, that completely or partly transfers the economic benefits or the ownership of such Shares or Warrants, regardless of the fact whether such a transaction is realized by means of delivery of other Securities, in cash or otherwise; and transferred and transferring shall have a correlative meaning. 12. ANTI-DILUTION 12.1 Subject to compliance with the terms of this agreement and the New Articles, the Company may at any time issue Additional Shares at a price per Additional Share that would constitute a Dilutive Issue under the Anti-Dilution A Warrants, Anti-Dilution B Warrants, Anti-Dilution C Warrants and/or Anti-Dilution D Warrants, without the consent of the holders of such Anti-dilution Warrants, provided that the holders of such Anti-dilution Warrants shall have the right to exercise their rights under the terms of such Anti-dilution Warrants. 12.2 For the avoidance of doubt, if any Shareholder waives its rights under the Anti-Dilution A Warrants, Anti-Dilution B Warrants, Anti-Dilution C Warrants and/or Anti-Dilution D Warrants in respect of any Dilutive Issue, such waiver shall not apply to any future Dilutive Issue where an additional waiver under this clause 12 shall be required. 13. EXIT 13.1 Each Party acknowledges and agrees that upon an Exit or IPO no Investor shall be obliged to give warranties, covenants or indemnities (except warranties as to title to the shares held by such Investor and capacity to enter into any relevant agreements). 13.2 It is agreed by the Parties that holders of Preferred Shares shall be entitled to registration rights on the terms set out in Schedule 6 (and the provisions of Schedule 6 shall only be applicable in such event). 13.3 In the event an Exit or Qualifying IPO has been approved by Board (following a majority vote including an affirmative vote from an Investor Director) and receipt of Preferred Majority Consent, each Shareholder shall, and agrees to procure that any of its, his or her Permitted Transferees shall, at the request of the Board: (A) exercise all voting rights (including class rights) attaching to his, her or its Shares and/or shares held by it in a new Holding Company as a result of a Holding Company Reorganisation (whether in writing or at a meeting or the Shareholders or a class of any Shareholders); and (B) approve, execute or sign and deliver all deeds, documents, resolutions (whether ordinary or special), consents, certificates, instruments, forms and/or agreements, in each case as may be required under the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, this Agreement, the New Articles or otherwise in order to give effect to, or which are considered by the Board to be desirable in connection with, a Qualifying IPO and/or a Prospective Qualifying IPO (provided that any such consent or approval of or vote for a Prospective Qualifying IPO will relate to the steps the Board believes to be desirable in preparation for a Qualifying IPO, but shall not allow the Company actually to implement an IPO that is not a Qualifying IPO). If any Shareholder (other than Redmile, Fidelity and EQT) fails to comply with the provisions of clause 13.3, the Company shall be constituted as the agent of each defaulting Shareholder for taking such actions as are necessary to enforce the provisions of clause 13.3 and any Director shall be empowered to execute and deliver on behalf of such defaulting Shareholder any document that Director considers reasonably necessary in connection with any of the matters set out in clause 13.3. 13.4 If on an Exit, a Shareholder receives any funds that were not distributed in accordance with the order of priority set out in article 35 of the New Articles, such Shareholder shall be required to |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 repay such funds to the Company or, in such manner as the Company may direct, taking into account the requirements of this Agreement and the New Articles, within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of notice from the Board. 14. UNDERTAKINGS BY THE COMPANY 14.1 Intellectual property (A) The Company shall take all such reasonable action to protect its Intellectual Property rights and/or other property and assets. (B) The Company shall procure and require that any and all persons now or hereafter working for the Company, whether as an employee, an executive Director or as a consultant, shall enter into appropriate IP-ownership, non-disclosure and development agreements, in the best interest of the Company, granting full and exclusive IP-ownership on any IP rights generated by their work done for the Company to the Company. The Company shall continue to register new IP rights in the name of the Company or in the name of its Subsidiary. 14.2 Non-compete The Company shall procure and require that any and all persons now or hereinafter working for the Company whether as an employee, an executive director or as a self-employed consultant, shall, to the extent legally permitted and in line with market practice, enter into an appropriate and valid non-compete agreement or non-compete clause, in accordance with the applicable law and, to the extent legally permitted, having an international scope, in each case substantially in line with the relevant provisions thereto as set out in the Management Agreements. 14.3 Non-disclosure The Company shall procure and require that all persons now or hereinafter working for the Company whether as an employee, Director or as a consultant, shall enter into an appropriate non-disclosure agreement, in the best interest of the Company. 14.4 Insurance The Company will take out customary D&O insurance for each of the Directors at terms satisfactory to the Board. 14.5 Anti-Corruption The Company covenants that it shall not (and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries and shall use reasonable efforts to procure that none of its or their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, independent contractors, representatives or agents to) promise, authorize or make any payment to, or otherwise contribute any item of value to, directly or indirectly, to any third party, including any Non-U.S. Official (as such term is defined in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the FCPA)), in each case, in violation of the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anticorruption law. The Company further covenants that it shall (and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) cease all of its or their respective activities, as well as remediate any actions taken by the Company, its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, independent contractors, representatives or agents in violation of the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anticorruption law. The Company further covenants that it shall (and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) maintain systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) to ensure compliance with the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. Upon request, the Company agrees to provide responsive information and/or certifications concerning its compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws. The Company shall promptly notify each Investor if the Company becomes aware of any |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 enforcement action against the Company or its subsidiaries in connection with any applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. The Company shall and shall cause any subsidiary or entity controlled by it, whether now in existence or formed in the future, to comply with the FCPA. The Company shall use its Best Efforts to cause any direct or indirect subsidiary, whether now in existence or formed in the future, to comply in all material respects with all applicable laws. 14.6 Export Control Laws and Sanctions The Company covenants that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries shall engage in any dealings or transactions with or for the benefit of a person that is a Sanctioned Person, nor otherwise violate Sanctions or Export Control Laws. 15. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS 15.1 Intellectual property (A) Each of the Key Managers undertakes to the Company and to the (current and future) Shareholders to use their Best Efforts to protect all discoveries, technology, materials, processes, information, data and in general all Intellectual Property generated by or on behalf of, or otherwise owned, directly or indirectly, partially or in whole by the Company in connection with the Company's Business Activities by obtaining Intellectual Property rights or otherwise, including but not limited to obtaining patents for the same, for the benefit of the Company. (B) Subject to clause 15.1(A), the Parties to this Agreement foresee that the Key Managers may make inventions or create other Intellectual Property during the period of their engagement by the Company (or whilst they are engaged in research with the Company). In this respect, each of the Key Managers recognizes that all inventions, Intellectual Property, Know-How, techniques and recipes relating to the Business Activities developed by each of the Key Managers for and on behalf of the Company during the period of their engagement with the Company (or whilst they are engaged in research with the Company) shall be the exclusive property of the Company and hereby transfer and assigns, and shall procure that each of the Key Managers shall transfer and assign, completely, exclusively, irrevocably, worldwide and for all jurisdictions, all such inventions, Intellectual Property, Know-How, techniques and recipes to the Company as from the moment of their creation and for the entire duration of the relevant rights. (C) For the avoidance of any doubt, a Key Manager shall not be held liable to pay for the same breach the compensation as is set forth in this clause 15.1 and the compensation as set forth in clause 16 (as regards Tim Knotnerus) of his Management Agreement, in each case without prejudice to the Company's right to claim full damages for the harm actually sustained by it. (D) Each of the Key Managers acknowledges that money damages alone may not adequately compensate the Company or a Shareholder for breach of any of the covenants and undertakings in this clause 15.1 and, therefore, agrees that in the event of the breach of any such covenant or undertaking, in addition to all other remedies available to the Company or a Shareholder at law, the Company and the Shareholders shall be entitled to injunctive relief compelling specific performance of, or other compliance with, the terms hereof. 15.2 Non-compete; non-solicitation Each of the Key Managers undertakes and covenants that he, she or it shall not: (A) carry on any trade or business competing directly with the Business Activities as carried out by the Company during the Service Period; and |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (B) during the period of 12 months commencing on the Termination Date (the Non-Compete Period): (i) carry on or participate (other than a mere financial participation) in any trade or business which (x) is competing with the Business Activities as carried out by the Company in any territory in which the Company conducts or has conducted substantial business in the period of 12 months immediately preceding the Termination Date, or (y) is actively being prospected by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the relevant territory as at or in the period of 12 months immediately preceding the Termination Date and in line with the then approved business plan of the Company; (ii) induce or attempt to induce any person who is a customer, supplier or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with the Company or to reduce its business with the Company; nor (iii) induce or attempt to induce anyone who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or any person having a consultancy or similar agreement with the Company to leave his/her position with the Company or to terminate his/her agreement with the Company. 15.3 The restrictions set out in clause 15.2 shall apply regardless of whether the relevant Key Manager is acting: (A) directly or indirectly through its representative, affiliates or any other individuals, companies or other legal entities; (B) in their own capacity or as a director, manager, partner or shareholder of any company or any other legal entity, or as an employee, consultant or agent of any individual, company or other legal entity; or (C) in any other capacity and in any other manner whatsoever. 15.4 If a Key Manager breaches any obligation under clause 15.2 and, if the breach is capable of remedy, does not remedy such breach within fifteen (15) Business Days from the date of receipt by the Key Manager of notice in writing of such breach from the Company, the relevant Key Manager shall be required to compensate the Company through a payment in cash of one hundred ninety thousand euro (EUR 190,000) (per differentiated breach) and additional payments in cash of ten thousand euro (EUR 10,000) for each week following receipt of the notice from the Company during which the breach is not remedied. This clause 15.4 shall operate without prejudice to the Company's right to claim full damages for the harm actually sustained by it. For the avoidance of doubt, any dispute or claim arising between the Key Manager and any of the Parties in connection with this clause 15.2 shall be subject to clauses 32 and determined by the Belgian courts in accordance with clause 33. 15.5 For the avoidance of any doubt, a Key Manager shall not be held liable for a claim under clause 15.4 of this Agreement and a claim under clause 18 (as regards Tim Knotnerus) of his Management Agreement with respect to the same breach and in the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the Management Agreement, this Agreement shall prevail with respect to such claim. 15.6 Each of the Key Managers acknowledges that damages alone may not adequately compensate the Company for breach of any of the covenants and undertakings in this clause 15 and, therefore, agrees that in the event of the breach of any such covenant or undertaking, in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief compelling specific performance of, or other compliance with, the terms hereof. 15.7 Each of the Key Managers agrees not to use at any time during the Service Period and during the Non-Compete Period any trade or domain name or e-mail address used by the Company at any time or any other name intended or likely to be confused with any such trade or domain |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 name or e-mail address, other than within the framework of their management and/or employment agreements with the Company. 15.8 Each of the Key Managers acknowledges that the provisions of this clause 15 are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company. However, if any of the provisions of this clause 15 shall ever be held to exceed the limitations in duration, geographical area or scope or other limitations imposed by applicable law, they shall not be nullified but the Parties shall be deemed to have agreed to such provisions as conform with the maximum permitted by applicable law, and any provision of this clause 15 exceeding such limitations shall be automatically amended accordingly. 16. IMPLEMENTATION OF RIGHTS The provisions of articles 11.8 and 22 of the New Articles (together with any such ancillary provisions of the New Articles as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the same) are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Agreement and enforceable under this Agreement (without prejudice to any right to enforce the same under the New Articles) and each party undertakes to the Company and Investors to comply therewith. 17. CONFIDENTIALITY 17.1 Subject to clause 17.2, each of the Parties agrees to keep secret and confidential and not to use, disclose or divulge to any third party or to enable or cause any person to become aware of (except for the purposes of the Company's business) any Confidential Information. 17.2 Each Party shall be at liberty from time to time to make such disclosure, as applicable: (A) to its relevant management advisors, sub-advisors, custodians, nominees, partners, trustees, shareholders, unitholders and other participants and/or to any Affiliate or Affiliated Fund of an Investor (including their directors, officers or employees) for the purposes of, but not limited to, reviewing existing investments and investment proposals. (B) to any tax authority in connection with its tax affairs or the tax affairs of Affiliated Funds; (C) as shall be required by law or by any regulatory, self-regulatory or governmental authority to which the Shareholder is subject or by the rules of any stock exchange upon which a Shareholder's securities are listed or traded; (D) as shall be required or reasonably necessary (including use of such Confidential Information) for the purpose of any legal proceedings arising out of any documents entered into between a Shareholder and the Company; (E) to the Company's auditors and/or any other professional advisers of the Company; (F) to the Shareholder's professional advisers and to the professional advisers of any person to whom the Shareholder is entitled to disclose information pursuant to this clause 17.2; (G) to the Shareholder's current or prospective limited partners or providers of debt or equity financing; or (H) to its insurance providers on a need to know basis, as it may in its reasonable discretion think fit, provided that the recipient is subject to an obligation to keep the disclosure confidential on the same basis as is required by the Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement and the New Articles. 17.3 Each Shareholder shall procure that its respective Investor Director(s) and Observer(s) (if any) shall comply with this clause 17 save that an Investor Director or Observer shall be at liberty |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 from time to time to make full disclosure to its appointing Shareholder (and such Shareholder's management advisor or sub-advisors and its Affiliates and Affiliated Funds of any information relating to the Company (provided that the recipient is subject to an obligation to keep the disclosure confidential on the same basis as is required pursuant to this Agreement and the New Articles)). 17.4 For the purposes of this clause, "Confidential Information" means any information or knowhow of a secret or confidential nature relating to the Company or to any Shareholder, including (without limitation): (A) any information regarding this Agreement and the investment by any Shareholder in the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (B) any financial information or trading information relating to the Company or to any Shareholder which a party may receive or obtain as a result of entering into this Agreement; (C) in the case of the Company, information concerning: (i) its finances and financial data, business transactions, dealings and affairs, and prospective business transactions; (ii) any operational model, its business plans and sales and marketing information, plans and strategies; (iii) its customers, including, without limitation, customer lists, customer identities and contact details, and customer requirements; (iv) any existing or planned product lines, services, price lists and pricing structures (including, without limitation, discounts, special prices or special contract terms offered to or agreed with customers); (v) its technology or methodology associated with concepts, products and services including research activities and the techniques and processes used for development of concepts, products and services; (vi) its computer systems, source codes and software, including, without limitation, software and technical information necessary for the development, maintenance or operation of websites; (vii) its current and prospective Intellectual Property; (viii) its directors, officers, employees and shareholders (including, without limitation, salaries, bonuses, commissions and the terms on which such individuals are employed or engaged, and decisions or contents of board meetings); (ix) its suppliers, licensors, licensees, agents, distributors, or contractors, or any collaboration agreements with third parties, including the identity of such parties and the terms on which they do business, or participate in any form of commercial co-operation with the Company; (x) information concerning or provided to third parties, in respect of which the Company owes a duty of confidence (in particular but without limitation, the content of discussions or communications with any prospective customer or prospective business partner); and (xi) any other information which it may reasonably be expected would be regarded by a company as confidential or commercially sensitive, |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 but shall not include any information which: (xii) is, or which becomes (other than through a breach of this Agreement), available in the public domain or otherwise available to the public generally without requiring a significant expenditure of labour, skill or money; (xiii) is, at the time of disclosure, already known to the receiving party without restriction on disclosure; (xiv) is, or subsequently comes, into the possession of the receiving party without violation of any obligation of confidentiality; (xv) is independently developed by the receiving party without breach of this Agreement; (xvi) is explicitly approved for release by the written consent of an authorised representative of the disclosing party; or (xvii) a Party is required to disclose by law, by any securities exchange on which such Party's securities are listed or traded, by any regulatory or governmental or other authority with relevant powers to which such Party is subject or submits, whether or not the requirement has the force of law, or by any court order. 18. USE OF NAME 18.1 The Parties agree that without the prior written consent of the concerned Party, none of the other Parties shall use, publish, reproduce, or refer to such Party's or its Affiliates' or Affiliated Funds' investment in the Company, names, trademarks or logos, or any similar names, trademarks or logos in any public manner or format (including reference on or link to websites, press releases, etc.) including without limitation for marketing, advertising or publicity purposes. 18.2 Notwithstanding clause 18.1, the Parties agree that Investors may reference the Company in (fundraising) presentations for existing or new investors. 19. DURATION AND TERMINATION 19.1 Without prejudice to the duration of similar provisions in the articles of association of the Company, the Agreement is entered into for a duration of ten (10) years starting as of the date of this Agreement and shall be subsequently automatically renewed for one (1) year – periods, unless a termination notice by any Party is sent at least six (6) months prior to the end of the initial ten (10) year – term or at least three (3) months prior to the end of the subsequent one (1) year – term (as applicable). 19.2 This Agreement shall terminate automatically towards a Party if such a Party should cease to hold any Shares and/or Warrants as a result of Share transfers in full compliance with the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement. 19.3 This Agreement may be terminated with the prior written consent of the Company and the Preferred Majority Consent (including EQT), in which event such termination shall be binding against all of the Parties hereto, save that nothing in this clause shall release any Party from liability for breaches of this Agreement which occurred prior to its termination. 19.4 This Agreement shall terminate and cease to have effect upon the first to occur of (i) consummation by the Company of a Holding Company Reorganisation (provided that a shareholders' agreement relating to the new Holding Company substantially on the terms of this Agreement has been entered into between the relevant parties); (ii) a Share Sale; and (iii) an IPO effected in accordance with this Agreement and the New Articles, save that nothing in this clause shall release any Party from liability for breaches of this Agreement which occurred prior to its termination; provided further, however, that the provisions of clause 13.2 shall survive |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 termination of this Agreement and shall terminate in accordance with paragraph 2.12 of Schedule 6. 19.5 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided for herein, the following provisions shall survive the termination of this Agreement: clause 17 (Confidentiality), clause 32 (Governing Law) and clause 33 (Jurisdiction). 19.6 As far as relevant, the Parties hereby waive (x) the right to seek the termination of this Agreement in or outside court (at any time) pursuant to articles 5.90 to 5.96 of the Belgian Civil Code (or its successor provision), except in case of fraud, (y) the right to claim, judicially or unilaterally, a price reduction pursuant to article 5.97 of the Belgian Civil Code, except in case of fraud and (z) non-contractual claims as set out in clause 31 of this Agreement, except in case of fraud or wilful misconduct. 20. CONFLICT WITH THE NEW ARTICLES 20.1 In case of discrepancies between any of the provisions of this Agreement and the New Articles, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail and the Parties shall take any action in their capacity as Shareholders, which may be necessary and/or appropriate in order to amend the New Articles as to ensure that they are consistent with this Agreement. 20.2 An English translation of New Articles is attached at Schedule 3 and the Parties agree that, in the event of a conflict between the English version of the New Articles and the Dutch version of the New Articles, the English version shall prevail among the Parties. 21. FURTHER ASSURANCE 21.1 Each Party agrees to take all such action or procure that all such action is taken in order to implement the terms of this Agreement and the New Articles or any transaction, matter or thing contemplated by this Agreement or the New Articles. 21.2 Each Shareholder shall exercise its voting rights and other rights as a member of the Company in order (insofar as it is able to do so through the exercise of such rights) to procure that the Company complies with all of its obligations under this Agreement and the New Articles and to give full effect to the terms of this Agreement and the New Articles and the rights and obligations of the Parties as set out in this Agreement and the New Articles. 22. COSTS AND EXPENSES Unless otherwise agreed, each Party shall bear its own costs and disbursements incurred in the negotiations leading up to and in the preparation of this Agreement and of matters incidental to this Agreement. 23. NO JOINT LIABILITY Except as otherwise provided herein, all undertakings and other obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall be individual and not joint ("individueel en niet hoofdelijk" / "individuel et non solidaire"). 24. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS 24.1 Except as provided below, all and any of the provisions of this Agreement may be deleted, varied, supplemented, restated or otherwise changed in any way at any time with the prior written consent of the Company and the Preferred Majority Consent, in which event such change shall be binding against all of the Parties hereto. 24.2 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement may not be amended, modified or terminated and the observance of any term hereunder may not be waived with respect to any Shareholder without the written consent of such Shareholder, if such amendment, modification, termination or waiver would adversely affect the rights of such |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Shareholder in a manner disproportionate to any adverse effect such amendment, modification, termination or waiver would have on the rights of the other Shareholders under this Agreement. In addition, the definition of "Major Investor" as included in Schedule 1 to this Agreement may not be amended without the prior written consent of Sanofi and Pfizer, in either instance insofar and for so long as such party continues to hold at least 50% of the Shares it subscribed to at the time of the Series D Investment (in respect of Sanofi), respectively Series B Investment (in respect of Pfizer). 24.3 Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay of a Party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement shall be considered as a waiver of such right or remedy, or any other right or remedy under this Agreement. 24.4 Except as otherwise provided herein, no waiver shall be effective unless given in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of the Party giving the waiver. 24.5 The Parties hereby acknowledge that the provisions of article 5.74 of the Belgian Civil Code shall not apply to the Parties with respect to their obligations under this Agreement, and that they shall not be entitled to make any claim under article 5.74 of the Belgian Civil Code. 24.6 The Parties acknowledge that (i) this Agreement is the outcome of thorough negotiations between the Parties, being professional parties assisted by professional advisers, and (ii) they have received all information to be provided pursuant to article 5.16 of the Belgian Civil Code. The Parties further acknowledge that each and every clause of this Agreement reflects their true intention and that these clauses do not create a manifest ("kennelijk" / "manifeste") imbalance between their respective rights and obligations. To understand the possible consequences of each and every clause of this Agreement, the Parties sought advice from legal counsel during the negotiation of this Agreement and had the opportunity to propose amendments / to understand the consequences of each and every clause of this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that the allocation of the economic and legal risks in this Agreement do not create a manifest imbalance between their respective rights and obligations under this Agreement, because this allocation is the result of mutual concessions during the negotiation of this Agreement. 25. NOTICES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT 25.1 Any notice in connection with this Agreement must be in writing in English and shall be validly given with respect to each Party if: (A) delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt) to the persons listed hereinafter; or (B) sent by email (with confirmation received by registered mail or an internationally recognized courier service within three (3) Business Days) to the email addresses and addresses set out hereinafter; or to such other addressee or address as a Party may notify to the other Parties in accordance with this clause 25. If to the Company: Name: Attn.: Address: Email: AgomAb Therapeutics NV Tim Knotnerus Posthoflei 1/6, 2600 Antwerp (Berchem), Belgium tim.knotnerus@agomab.com If to Sanofi: [***] |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 If to Invus: [***] If to Fidelity: [***] If to EQT: [***] If to Dawn: [***] If to Canaan: [***] If to Pfizer Inc.: [***] If to Walleye Opportunities Master Fund Ltd: [***] If to Sabadell Asabys Health Innovation Investments, SCR, S.A.: [***] If to Asabys Top Up Fund, F.C.R: [***] If to SABADELL ASABYS HEALTH INNOVATION INVESTMENTS II F.C.R. [***] If to SABADELL ASABYS HEALTH INNOVATION INVESTMENTS 2B S.C.R., S.A [***] If to Redmile Biopharma Investments III, L.P.: [***] |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 If to Cormorant Private Healthcare Fund III, LP: [***] If to Cormorant Global Healthcare Master Fund, LP: [***] If to Cormorant Private Healthcare Fund IV, LP [***] If to Cormorant Private Healthcare Fund V, LP [***] If to CRMA SPV, L.P.: [***] If to Paolo Michieli: [***] If to Michael John Scott Saunders: [***] If to Federica Caterina Linty: [***] If to Manuela Cazzanti: [***] If to De Haard Antibody Technologies B.V.: [***] If to EuremAb SRL: [***] If to Tim Knotnerus: [***] If to TJK Life Sciences B.V.: [***] |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 If to V-BIO: [***] If to AFB Seed Fund I: [***] If to Pontifax Israel: [***] If to Pontifax Cayman: [***] If to Pontifax China: [***] If to Pontifax Late Stage: [***] If to FCPI Innovation Pluriel n°4 [***] If to FCPI Capital Invest PME 2023: [***] If to FCPI Capital Invest PME 2021: [***] If to FCPI Capital Invest PME 2020: [***] If to FCPI Capital Invest PME 2019: [***] If to FCPI Capital Invest PME 2018: [***] If to FCPI Capital Invest PME 2017: [***] If to FCPI Capital Invest PME 2016: [***] If to BIVF: [***] If to Torsten Dreier: [***] |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 If to Biodiscovery 5 FPCI: [***] If to Familiefonds BZH: [***] If to JSH Biotech ApS: [***] 25.2 Any notice shall be effective upon receipt and shall be deemed to have been received: (A) at the time of delivery, if delivered by hand or a courier company; (B) on the next Business Day in the place to which it is sent if sent by email (provided, however, that if no confirmation is received within three (3) Business Days, the notice shall be deemed to have been received on the date when such confirmation is actually received); (C) on the first (1st) Business Day following the date of posting if sent by registered mail, provided that both the sender and the addressee reside in Belgium; or (D) on the seventh (7th) Business Day (in the place to which it is sent) following the date of posting if sent by registered mail where either the sender or the addressee does not reside in Belgium. 26. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS 26.1 Except as otherwise provided herein and except for any assignment of rights amongst, respectively, the Preferred A Shareholders, the Preferred B Shareholders, the Preferred C Shareholders, the Preferred D Shareholders, and their Affiliates / Affiliated Funds (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any rights granted to a specific Shareholder irrespective of the class(es) of Shares it holds), no Party may assign all or part of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including any rights granted to a specific Shareholder irrespective of the class(es) of Shares it holds, to any third party ((through a sale, a capital contribution, a donation or any other transaction, including the sale or contribution of a division ("bedrijfstak" / "branche d'activité") or of a business as a whole ("algemeenheid" / "universalité"), or a merger ("fusie" / "fusion") or demerger ("splitsing" / "scission"), except in the cases of an internal reorganisation of the Shareholder and/or their Affiliates / Affiliated Funds), without the prior written consent of the other Parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed)). 26.2 As long as the consent as referred to in clause 26.1 has not been obtained, the assigning Party shall continue to be liable for all obligations that it intended to assign (without prejudice to any other right or remedy that the other Parties may have for breach of this clause 26.1). 26.3 Subject to the assignment restrictions set out in this clause 26, the provisions of this Agreement shall insure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective heirs, successors and assignees. 27. ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR 27.1 The Company shall take all appropriate steps and measures in order to have the Company and each of its Subsidiaries: |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (A) running their business: (i) under conditions which comply with the general principles and rules deriving from the European Convention for the Protection of the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom dated 4 November 1950, and from the prescriptions and recommendations of the International Labour Organization, in particular with respect to the protection of childhood; (ii) by avoiding or limiting, to the extent reasonably feasible considering the state of the art, harm to the environment; and (iii) in case of operation of a website or a mail site on the Internet, by not delivering any message which hurt common moral principles or the general principles set forth in the said European Convention for the Protection of the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom; and (B) taking all appropriate monitoring and control procedures to ensure that the Company and its subsidiaries are complying with the provisions as set forth in clause 27.1(A) hereinabove. 27.2 The Company has been informed of the commitments made by Shareholders to take into account in their investments and the monitoring of their holdings, environmental, social, societal and good corporate governance criteria, such as: (A) the use of natural resources; (B) environmental impacts; (C) employing; (D) social dialogue; (E) human resources; (F) attention to people; (G) relations with suppliers and customers; (H) relations with the territory and "stakeholders" in general; (I) governance; and (J) management. 27.3 The Company undertakes to be part of a process of progress so that the Company operates in conditions that reconcile the Company's economic interest and social responsibility. 28. SEVERABILITY 28.1 If any provision in this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, under any applicable law, that provision shall be deemed not to form part of this Agreement, and the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected. 28.2 In such case, each Party shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to immediately negotiate in good faith and implement a valid replacement provision with an economic effect which is as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provision. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 29. NO PARTNERSHIP Nothing in this Agreement shall constitute or be deemed to constitute a partnership between the Parties or any of them. 30. ENTIRE AGREEMENT 30.1 This Agreement, including its Exhibits (and the documents referred to herein) contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any prior agreement or understanding, written or oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. 30.2 This Agreement replaces, terminates and annuls all prior agreements, communications, offers, proposals or correspondence, oral or written, exchanged or concluded between the Parties relating to the same subject matter. 31. NON-CONTRACTUAL CLAIMS Each Party hereby excludes any extra-contractual liability related to the formation, performance, and termination of this Agreement (and guarantees that its Affiliates exclude this) with respect to any other Party and the directors, employees, shareholders, and direct or indirect auxiliary persons of such other Party and its Affiliates to the fullest extent permitted by law (except in the case of fraud or wilful misconduct). 32. GOVERNING LAW Save for the provisions of Schedule 6, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Belgian law, without giving effect to any other choice-of-law or conflict-of- laws rules or provisions (Belgian, foreign or international) that would cause the laws of any jurisdiction other than Belgium to be applicable. 33. JURISDICTION All disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and which the Parties are unable to settle amicably shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Belgium. 34. PROXY TO INITIAL THE AGREEMENT AND THE EXHIBITS The Parties (except Fidelity) hereby give a power of attorney to Paul van der Horst, Ellen Lefever, Silvana Hugue, Mats Muys, as well as any other manager, officer or employee of the Company, each acting individually, with right of substitution, to initial this Agreement and its schedules in any other way mutually agreed upon by the Parties. 35. COUNTERPARTS This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, and all the counterparts shall together constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of a fully executed version of this Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by electronic transmission (including pdf or any electronic signature (including DocuSign)) or by facsimile and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes and shall be sufficient to bind the parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No exchange of original signatures is necessary. [NEXT PAGES ARE SIGNATORY PAGES] Done in Antwerp, on 4 November 2024, in as many originals as there are parties to the agreement. Each of the parties acknowledges receipt of its own original. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 EXECUTED by AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, represented by ……………………………………………….. Name: Tim Knotnerus Name: David Epstein Title: CEO Title: Chairman |
| Confidential ACTIVE/202925561.5 SCHEDULE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 1. DEFINITIONS Accession Deed : means the accession deed in substantially the form attached at Schedule 4. Additional Shares : has the meaning given to it in Schedule 4 of the Subscription Agreement. Affiliate : has the meaning of affiliate ("verbonden person of vennootschap" / "personne ou société liée") as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. Affiliated Fund : means a Member of the Same Fund Group. Agreement : means this Shareholders' Agreement. Anti-dilution Warrants : means the Anti-Dilution A Warrants, Anti-Dilution B Warrants, the Anti-Dilution C Warrants and the Anti-Dilution D Warrants. Anti-Dilution A Warrants : means the sixty (60) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred A Shares in connection with the Series A Investment. Anti-Dilution B Warrants : means the two hundred and fifty (250) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred B Shares in connection with the Series B Investment. Anti-Dilution C Warrants means the two hundred and ten (210) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred C Shares in connection with the Series C Investment. Anti-Dilution D Warrants means the two hundred and forty (240) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred D Shares on the date of this Agreement in the form set out in Schedule 4 of the Subscription Agreement. Best Efforts : means, when used in connection with an undertaking, a commitment by the Parties concerned to use all reasonable efforts that a reasonably prudent person put in the same circumstances would use, including, where appropriate, attending general meetings of the Company with all their Shares and voting such Shares in favour of all decisions that are necessary or useful so that the undertaking can be best |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 achieved and, where appropriate, waiving their preferential subscription rights or attending general meetings of the Company with all their Shares and voting such Shares in favour of the cancellation of preferential subscription rights. BIVF : means Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund GmbH. Board : means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. Business Activities : has the meaning as defined in Recital (B). Business Days : means any day from Monday to Friday (included), excluding statutory or banking holidays in Belgium, the United Kingdom, California or New York, USA. Business Plan : means the business plan of the Company in the form attached at Schedule 5. Call Option : has the meaning as defined in clause 10.1(A). Canaan means Canaan XII L.P. CEO Director : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. CFC : has the meaning as defined in clause 6. Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate : means the profit sharing certificate with the rights set out in article 39 of the New Articles; Common Shares : means the common shares of the Company. Company : means AgomAb Therapeutics NV. Completion : has the meaning given to it in the Subscription Agreement. Completion Date : has the meaning given to it in the Subscription Agreement. Confirmation Notice : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Conversion Ratio : has the meaning given in the New Articles. Dawn : means Memory Investments S.à.r.l. Dilutive Issue : has the meaning given to it in Schedule 4 of the Subscription Agreement. Director : means a member of the Board. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Employee Stock Option Plan : means the stock option plan of the Company adopted on the Completion Date, as amended from time to time. Employee Stock Option Warrants : has the meaning given to it in clause 8.2. ESOP Cap : has the meaning given to it in clause 8.3. ESOP Common Shares : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Existing Agreement : has the meaning as defined in Recital (C). EQT : means LSP 7 Coöperatief U.A. Exit : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Export Control Laws : means all applicable provisions of United States export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department, and the export control laws and regulations of any other applicable jurisdiction. FCPA : has the meaning defined in clause 14.5. Fidelity : means collectively, the Fidelity Investors. Fidelity Investors : means (i) Fidelity Growth Company Commingled Pool By: Fidelity Management Trust Company, as Trustee, (ii) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust : Fidelity Growth Company K6 Fund; (iii) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Growth Company Fund; (iv) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Series Growth Company Fund and (v) Fidelity Select Portfolios: Pharmaceuticals Portfolio. FMR : means Fidelity Management and Research Company LLC. Founders : Paolo Michieli, Michael Saunders, Federica Linty, Virginia Morello, Manuela Cazzanti, De Haard Antibody Technologies and EuremAb Srl. Fund Manager : means a person whose principal business it is to make, manage or advise upon investments in securities, including a registered investment advisor. Group : means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries from time to time. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Holding Company : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Holding Company Reorganisation : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Independent Director : has the meaning as defined in clause 3.6. Intellectual Property : means any intellectual property rights, including copyrights, neighbouring and related rights, trade and service marks, trade names, rights in logos and get-up, inventions, rights in databases, domain names, confidential information, trade secrets and Know-How, registered designs, design rights, patents, utility models, semi-conductor topographies, all rights of whatsoever nature in computer software and data, all intangible rights and privileges of a nature similar or allied to any of the foregoing, in every case in any part of the world and whether or not registered; and including all granted registrations and all pending applications for registration and all rights to apply for registration, all renewals, reversions or extensions, the right to sue for damages for past infringement and all forms of protection of a similar nature which may subsist anywhere in the world and any rights to receive remuneration in respect of such rights. Investment Fund : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Investor Director : means the Directors appointed in accordance with clauses 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4. Investors : has the meaning given to it in the Subscription Agreement. IPO : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Key Manager : means Tim Knotnerus. Know-How : means any expertise, practice, experience, factual and technical knowledge and information relating to commercial, scientific and technical matters, inventions and trade secrets, including but not limited to any non-patentable technical and other information which is not in the public domain including information comprising or relating to concepts, discoveries, data, designs, formulae, ideas, reports and data analyses, procedures, tests, genes, plasmas, vectors, clones, cell lines, cell cultures, cell expression systems, cell constructions, developments, micro-organisms, chemical compounds, biochemical compounds, mutations, test systems, test protocols and purification materials and techniques. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Liquidity Event : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Major Investor : means a Shareholder holding (together with its Permitted Transferees) not less than five per cent. (5%) of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement. Management Agreement : means the management agreement entered into between the Company and Tim Knotnerus, as amended from time to time. Member of the Same Fund Group : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. New Articles : means the articles of association of the Company to be adopted on or prior to the Completion Date and as amended, restated or superseded from time to time. Non-Compete Period : has the meaning as defined in clause 15.2(B). Observer : means a non-voting observer appointed in accordance with clause 3.13. Option Shares : has the meaning as defined in clause 10.1(A). Permitted Transferee : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. PFIC : has the meaning as defined in clause 6. Pfizer means Pfizer Inc. Preferred A Shareholder : means a holder of Preferred A Shares. Preferred A Shares : means the preferred A shares in the capital of the Company from time to time having the rights and privileges set out in this Agreement and the New Articles. Preferred A Majority : means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred A Shares then outstanding. Preferred A Majority Consent : means the written consent of the Preferred A Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred A Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement remain outstanding. Preferred B Majority : means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred B Shares then outstanding. Preferred B Majority Consent : means the written consent of the Preferred B Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred B Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement remain outstanding. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Preferred B Shareholder : means a holder of Preferred B Shares. Preferred B Shares : means the preferred B shares in the capital of the Company from time to time having the rights and privileges set out in this Agreement and the New Articles. Preferred C Majority : means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred C Shares then outstanding. Preferred C Majority Consent : means the written consent of the Preferred C Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred C Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement remain outstanding. Preferred C Shareholder : means a holder of Preferred C Shares. Preferred C Shares : means the preferred C shares in the capital of the Company from time to time having the rights and privileges set out in this Agreement and the New Articles. Preferred D Extraordinary Resolution has the meaning as defined in Schedule 7. Preferred D Majority : means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred D Shares then outstanding. Preferred D Majority Consent : means the written consent of the Preferred D Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred D Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement remain outstanding. Preferred D Shareholder : means a holder of Preferred D Shares. Preferred D Shares means the preferred D shares in the capital of the Company from time to time having the rights and privileges set out in this Agreement and the New Articles. Preferred Majority : mean the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred Shares then outstanding, including in each case also the Preferred B Majority, the Preferred C Majority and the Preferred D Majority. Preferred Majority Consent : means the written consent of the Preferred Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement remain outstanding, it being understood that the Preferred Majority Consent must include (i) the Preferred B Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred B Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement remain outstanding, (ii) the Preferred C Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred C Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement remain outstanding, |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 as well as (iii) the Preferred D Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred D Shares outstanding at the date of this Agreement remain outstanding . Preferred Shares : means the Preferred A Shares, the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred C Shares and the Preferred D Shares. Prospective Qualifying IPO : means an IPO that the Board in good faith believes will constitute a Qualifying IPO. Qualifying IPO : has the meaning given to it in the New Articles. Sanctioned Person : means a person that is (a) the subject of Sanctions, or (b) majority-owned or controlled, individually or in the aggregate, by one or more parties that are the subject of Sanctions. Sanctions : means those trade, economic and financial sanctions laws, regulations, embargoes, and restrictive measures (in each case having the force of law) administered, enacted or enforced from time to time by (i) the United States (including without limitation the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control), (ii) the European Union and enforced by its member states, (iii) the United Nations, (iv) His Majesty's Treasury, or (v) other similar governmental bodies with regulatory authority over the Company and its operations from time to time. Securities : shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or warrants), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company (including, amongst others, profit shares) at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or warrants attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right ("wettelijk voorkeurrecht/droit préférentiel de souscription")). Seed Investment : means the investment by V-Bio, the Founders, AFB and TJK Life Sciences B.V. in the Company which was executed in the front of the notary in Belgium on 22 February 2018 and 19 October 2018. Series A Investment : means the investment by V-BIO, AFB, BIVF, Pontifax, Omnes Funds, Torsten Dreier and Biodiscovery 5 in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the subscription |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 and shareholders' agreement of 4 March 2019. Series A Investor Director : has the meaning given to it in clause 3.4. Series B Investment : means the investment by, among others, Redmile, Cormorant, Walleye and Pfizer, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the shareholders' agreement of 5 March 2021 (as amended on 28 June 2022) and the subscription agreements of 5 March 2021 and 28 June 2022. Series B Investor Director : has the meaning given to it in clause 3.3. Series C Investment : means the investment by, among others, Fidelity, EQT and Dawn, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the shareholders’ agreement of 10 October 2023 (as amended on 8 July 2024) and the subscription agreement of 3 October 2023. Series D Investment : means the investment by, among others, Sanofi, Invus, Fidelity and EQT, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Subscription Agreement. Series C Investor Director : has the meaning given to it in clause 3.2. Service Period : means the period during which the person concerned is a director, employee or consultant of or rendering services to the Company. Shareholder : means an owner of Shares. Shares : means the shares of the Company at any given time, representing the Company's share capital. Subscription Agreement : means the subscription agreement entered into between the Investors, the Existing Shareholders and the Company dated 22 October 2024. Subsidiary : has the meaning of subsidiary ("dochtervennootschap" / "filiale") as defined in article 1:15, 2°, of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. Tax : means all applicable federal, state, local and foreign taxes, whether or not deferred, (including, without limitation, income, profit, VAT, use, real property, personal property, ad valorem, excise, social security and withholding taxes) and tax prepayments, assessments, levies, imports, duties, license fees, registration duties, withholdings, or other similar charges of every kind, character or description and any interest, penalties or additions to tax imposed thereon or in connection |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 therewith. Termination Date : means the date upon which the person concerned ceases to be a Key Manager of the Company. Type A Leaver : means a Key Manager who leaves the Company in circumstances involving his/her/it being summarily dismissed by reason of his/her breach of the Restrictive Covenants set forth in clause 15, fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct ("fraude" / "dol"). Type B Leaver : means a Key Manager who leaves the Company as a result of the resignation by the Key Manager for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, within the first three (3) years after the date of sending of the Offer Letter (as defined in the Employee Stock Option Plan) addressed to such Key Manager. Type C Leaver : means a Key Manager who leaves the Company and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board. U.S. Tax Code : has the meaning as defined in clause 6. V-Bio : means V-Bio Fund 1 NV. Warrants : means the Anti-Dilution A Warrants, the Anti-Dilution B Warrants, the Anti-Dilution C Warrants, the Anti-Dilution D Warrants and the Employee Stock Option Warrants. 2. INTERPRETATION 2.1 Words and expressions which are defined in the New Articles shall have the meanings attributed to them therein when used in this Agreement unless otherwise defined or the context otherwise requires. 2.2 The clause and paragraph headings and the table of contents used in this Agreement are inserted for ease of reference only and shall not affect construction. 2.3 The original version of this Agreement has been drafted in English. Should this Agreement be translated, in whole or in part, into French, Dutch or any other language, the English version shall prevail among the parties to the fullest extent permitted by Belgian law, provided, however, that whenever French and/or Dutch translations of certain words or expressions are contained in the original English version of this Agreement, such translations shall be conclusive in determining the Belgian legal concept(s) to which the parties intended to refer. 2.4 Reference to a "party" or "parties" is to a Party or Parties of the Agreement. 2.5 Each reference to a "clause", "Schedule" or "Appendix" is, unless the context specifically requires otherwise, a reference to the corresponding clause of or schedule or appendix to this Agreement, and each reference to a "paragraph" is, unless the context specifically requires |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 otherwise, a reference to the corresponding paragraph of the provision in which that reference occurs. 2.6 References to "writing" or "written" include any other non-transitory form of visible reproduction of words. 2.7 Reference to a "company" shall be construed so as to include any company, corporation or other body corporate, wherever and however incorporated or established. 2.8 Reference to a "person" includes any natural person, individual, firm, company, corporation, limited liability company, body corporate, governmental authority, association, joint venture, trust or partnership (in each case whether or not having separate legal personality and irrespective of the jurisdiction in or under the law of which it was incorporated or exists). 2.9 When using the words "shall cause" or "shall procure that" (or any similar expression or any derivation thereof), the Parties intend to refer to the Belgian law concept of "porte-fort" / "sterkmaking". 2.10 The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder", "hereby", "hereto", "herewith" and words of similar meaning shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, clause, paragraph, Schedule or other subdivision. 2.11 References to the word "include" or "including" (or any similar term) are not to be construed as implying any limitation and general words introduced by the word "other" (or any similar term) shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of the fact that they are preceded or followed by words indicating a particular class of acts, matters or things. 2.12 In this Agreement, general words shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of the fact that they are followed by particular examples intended to be embraced by the general words and general words which follow particular or specific words shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of the fact that they are preceded by such words. 2.13 References to documents "in the agreed form" are references to documents with respect to which the Parties have reached an agreement and shall be initialized by or on behalf of the relevant Parties for the purposes of identification only. 2.14 Reference to this Agreement includes this Agreement as amended and supplemented in accordance with its terms. 2.15 For the calculation of a period of time, such period shall start the next following day after the day on which the event triggering such period of time has occurred. The expiry date shall be included in the period of time. If the expiry date is a Saturday, a Sunday or a bank holiday in Belgium, the expiry date shall be postponed until the next Business Day. Unless otherwise provided herein, all periods of time shall be calculated in calendar days. Any reference to a moment in time or an hour of day shall be a reference to Belgian time (GMT+1, CET). 2.16 References to those of the Parties that are individuals include their respective legal personal representatives. 2.17 Except where the context specifically requires otherwise, words importing one gender shall be |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 treated as importing any gender, words importing individuals shall be treated as importing corporations and vice versa, words importing the singular shall be treated as importing the plural and vice versa, and words importing the whole shall be treated as including a reference to any part thereof. 2.18 References to statutory provisions, enactments or EU Directives shall include references to any amendment, modification, extension, consolidation, replacement or re-enactment of any such provision, enactment or EU Directive (whether before or after the date of this Agreement), to any previous enactment which has been replaced or amended and to any regulation, instrument or order or other subordinate legislation made under such provision, enactment or EU Directive unless any such change imposes upon any party any liabilities or obligations which are more onerous than as at the date of this Agreement. 2.19 Article 5.66 of the Belgian Civil Code and article 1602, paragraph 2 of the old Belgian Civil Code shall not apply in the interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement. In this respect, no clause shall be interpreted against a Party solely as a result of the fact that such Party was responsible for drafting such clause, it being acknowledged that representatives of all Parties have participated in the drafting and negotiating of this Agreement. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 SCHEDULE 2 BOARD MATTERS a) changes to the registered office, the head-office or a branch office of the Company; b) establishment of any joint-venture agreement or long term agreement with a duration of more than three years (unless such long term agreement may be terminated at will with no more than three months’ notice); c) approval of the Business Plan or any material updates thereof; d) approval of the annual financial, operating and investment budget for the Company or any material updates thereof; e) approval of investments or expenditures exceeding the approved annual budget of the Company by one million euro (EUR 1,000,000) or more; f) appointment, terms of such appointment (including remuneration and any amendments to the terms of such appointment) and dismissal of members of the executive management of the Company; g) determination of the powers of the managers responsible for the day-to-day management; h) management of the Employee Stock Option Plan (including granting of warrants thereunder); i) any transactions, arrangements or agreements between the Company and any shareholder or person or company affiliated to a shareholder or director; j) sale, transfer or disposal of any substantial part or asset or right of the Company with a value over five hundred thousand euro (EUR 500,000); k) approval of and/or modification to any agreements concerning the disposal or acquisition of Intellectual Property rights (other than in the ordinary course of business); l) any decision to apply Book XX of the Code of Economic Law ; m) issuance of securities of any class or convertible bonds, subscription warrants or other instruments that may give the holder thereof rights to receive, acquire or subscribe to shares in the Company other than options or warrants granted under a previously approved stock option plan; n) repurchase of its own Shares by the Company; o) engage in any court action or conduct any litigation, arbitration or similar litigation proceedings (other than for collecting claims of the company and taking actions that cannot be reasonably postponed without negative consequences for the Company) on behalf of the Company; p) changing the accounting policies of the Company; q) providing an indemnity or guarantee (other than in the ordinary course of business); r) any participation in other companies, mergers or acquisitions, including disposal or acquisition of any securities in the capital of any other company or establishment of any new branch or subsidiary of the Company; s) granting or receiving of loans, financing or security obligations not previously approved by the Board (other than transactions with or between subsidiaries); t) incurring debt in excess of five percent (5%) of the Series C Investment; u) transactions outside the ordinary course of business (as set forth in the Business Plan) or changes to the nature of the Company's business; v) connected party transactions other than transactions with or between subsidiaries; w) entering into any contract with an aggregated annual value above three million euro (EUR 3,000,000), or x) selecting an independent expert for the purposes of clause 3.4 of the Anti-Dilution B Warrants, the Anti-Dilution C Warrants and/or the Anti-Dilution D Warrants. |
| Confidential ACTIVE/202925561.5 SCHEDULE 3 “AgomAb Therapeutics” Limited liability company Established in the Flemish Region With address at 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Posthoflei 1/6 RCE Antwerp division Antwerp VAT BE 0674.527.310 -------- Articles of association after the extraordinary general meeting of 4 November 2024 DEFINITIONS In these Articles the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings: Actions has the meaning given in article 22.1; A Preference Amount has the meaning given to it in article 35.2(d); Accession Deed means a deed of accession to the Agreement in a form acceptable to the Board (acting reasonably); Affiliate has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. Agreement means the shareholders’ agreement relating to the Company dated 4 November 2024, as amended from time to time; Anti-Dilution A Warrants means the sixty (60) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred A Shares in connection with the Series A Investment; Anti-Dilution B Warrants means the two hundred and fifty (250) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to certain holders of Preferred B Shares in connection with the Series B Investment; Anti-Dilution C Warrants means two hundred and ten (210) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred C Shares in connection with the Series C Investment; Anti-Dilution D Warrants means two hundred and forty (240) anti-dilution warrants of the Company issued to holders of Preferred D Shares on 4 November 2024 in the form set out in Schedule 4 of the 2024 Subscription Agreement; Anti-Dilution Warrants means the Anti-Dilution A Warrants, the Anti-Dilution B Warrants, the Anti-Dilution C Warrants and the Anti-Dilution D Warrants; Articles or articles means the articles of association of the Company, as amended from time to time; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 As Converted Basis means, in respect of a number of Shares to be determined on an “As Converted Basis” by reference to any particular securities in the Company: (a) such number of those securities as are Common Shares; plus (b) such number of Common Shares as such securities which are Preferred Shares (if any) may then be converted into in accordance with Article 8.2; and (c) in respect of any securities (other than Shares) (if any) then such number of Shares as may be subscribed or exchanged for, or converted into or otherwise called for, pursuant thereto (and, if such Shares are Preferred Shares, then the number of Common Shares attributable thereto in accordance with (b) above); Asset Sale means the disposal or other disposition by the Company and/or any member of the Group which together constitute all or substantially all of its undertaking and assets (which disposal may include, without limitation, the grant by the Company of an exclusive licence of Intellectual Property not entered into in the ordinary course of business); B Preference Amount has the meaning given to it in article 35.2(c); Belgian Code for Companies and Associations means the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations of 23 March 2019, as amended from time to time; Board means the board of directors of the Company from time to time; Business Day means any day from Monday to Friday (included), excluding statutory or banking holidays in Belgium, the United Kingdom, California or New York, USA; Buyer has the meaning given to it in article 11.5.3; C Preference Amount has the meaning given to it in article 35.2(b); Canaan means Canaan XII L.P.; Catch-Up Amount has the meaning given to it in article 35.7; CEO Director has the meaning given in article 24.5; Chairperson Director has the meaning given in article 24.6; Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate has the meaning given in article 39.1; Common Shares means the common shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Company means AgomAb Therapeutics NV; Confirmation Notice has the meaning given to it in article 11.1.1. A; Controlling Interest means an interest in shares giving to the holder or holders control of the Company within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations; Control Tag Along Right has the meaning given in article 11.6.1; Control Tag Along Exercise Notice has the meaning given in article 11.6.6; Control Tag Along Invitation Notice has the meaning given in article 11.6.5.(ii)(b); Conversion Ratio means a ratio of one (1) Common Share for every one (1) Preferred Share or ESOP Common Share, subject to adjustment in accordance with article 8.2.12; Co-Sale Notice has the meaning given to it in article 11.5.3; Dawn means Memory Investments S.à.r.l.; Decisive Influence has the meaning given in article 11.6.2; Decisive Influence Notice has the meaning given in article 11.6.4; Decisive Shareholder has the meaning given in article 11.6.1; Director(s) means a director or directors of the Company from time to time; Drag Along Notice has the meaning given in article 11.7.4; Drag Along Right has the meaning given in article 11.7.1.B; Dragged Parties has the meaning given in article 11.7.1B; Dragging Parties has the meaning given in article 11.7.1; Equity Holder has the meaning given to it in article 11.5.3; Employee Stock Option Warrants means any warrants issued by the Company to give effect to the ESOP Stock Option Plan; EQT means LSP 7 Coöperatief U.A.; ESOP Common Shares means the ESOP common shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; ESOP Stock Option Plan means the various stock option plans of the Company, as adopted by the Board from time to time; Exit means a Share Sale or an Asset Sale; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Expert Valuer has the meaning given in article 11.4A.1; Fair Value has the meaning given in article 11.4A.3; Family Trust means as regards any particular individual member or deceased or former individual member, trusts (whether arising under a settlement, declaration of trust or other instrument by whomsoever or wheresoever made or under a testamentary disposition or on an intestacy) under which no immediate beneficial interest in any of the shares in question is for the time being vested in any person other than the individual and/or Privileged Relations of that individual, and so that for this purpose a person shall be considered to be beneficially interested in a share if such share or the income thereof is liable to be transferred or paid or applied or appointed to or for the benefit of such person or any voting or other rights attaching thereto are exercisable by or as directed by such person pursuant to the terms of the relevant trusts or in consequence of an exercise of a power or discretion conferred thereby on any person or persons; Fidelity means collectively, the Fidelity Investors; Fidelity Investors means (i) Fidelity Growth Company Commingled Pool By: Fidelity Management Company, as Trustee; (ii) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust : Fidelity Growth Company K6 Fund; (iii) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Growth Company Fund; (iv) Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust: Fidelity Series Growth Company Fund and (v) Fidelity Select Portfolios: Pharmaceuticals Portfolio; FMR means Fidelity Management and Research Company LLC; Founder means each of Paolo Michieli, Michael Saunders, Federica Linty, Virginia Morello, Manuela Cazzanti, De Haard Antibody Technologies B.V. and EuremAb Srl; Fund Manager means a person whose principal business is to make, manage or advise upon investments in securities, including a registered investment advisor; Group means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries from time to time; Holding Company means a newly formed company in any jurisdiction (including, without limitation, in the United States of America under Delaware law), which has no previous trading history and has been incorporated for the purposes of a Holding Company Reorganisation; Holding Company Reorganisation means any transaction involving the issue of shares in the capital of a new Holding Company to the shareholders, the object or intent of which is to interpose the new Holding Company as the sole owner of the Company such that immediately subsequent to such transaction: (a) the number and class of shares comprised in the issued share capital of the new Holding Company, the |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 identity of the shareholders of the new Holding Company, and the number and class of shares held by each such person is the same as (or, as regards number of shares only, proportionate to) the issued share capital of the Company (save for the fact that such shares are issued by a different company) and the identity of the Shareholders and the number and class of Shares held by each such person immediately prior to such transaction; (b) the rights attaching to each class of share comprised in the new Holding Company are the same (save for the fact that such shares are issued by a different company and/or in a different jurisdiction with attendant differences in company law) as those rights attaching to the like class of share comprised in the share capital of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; and (c) the constitutional documents of the new Holding Company are the same in substantive effect (save for the fact that they apply in respect of a different company, and as to matters and modifications to reflect that the new Holding Company may be incorporated in a jurisdiction other than Belgium) as the articles of association of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition; Independent Director has the meaning given in article 24.6; Intellectual Property means any intellectual property rights, including copyrights, neighbouring and related rights, trade and service marks, trade names, rights in logos and get-up, inventions, rights in databases, domain names, confidential information, trade secrets and Know-How, registered designs, design rights, patents, utility models, semi-conductor topographies, all rights of whatsoever nature in computer software and data, all intangible rights and privileges of a nature similar or allied to any of the foregoing, in every case in any part of the world and whether or not registered; and including all granted registrations and all pending applications for registration and all rights to apply for registration, all renewals, reversions or extensions, the right to sue for damages for past infringement and all forms of protection of a similar nature which may subsist anywhere in the world and any rights to receive remuneration in respect of such rights; Investor has the meaning given in the Agreement. Investment Fund means a fund, partnership, trust, company, mandate syndicate, registered investment company or other entity whose business is managed or advised (in an investment advisory capacity) by a Fund Manager; Investor Director means the Series A Investor Director, the Series B Investor Director and the Series C Investor Director; IPO means the admission of all or any of the shares of the Company or securities representing those shares (including, without limitation, depositary interests, American depositary receipts, American depositary shares and/or other instruments) on the New York Stock |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Exchange, NASDAQ, Official List of the United Kingdom Listing Authority, Euronext Amsterdam or Euronext Brussels; Issue Price means the price in EUR at which the relevant Share is issued, including any premium, provided that: (a) the Issue Price per Preferred D Share shall be the Preferred D Issue Price; (b) the Issue Price per Preferred C Share shall be the Preferred C Issue Price; (c) the Issue Price per Preferred B Share shall be the Preferred B Issue Price; and (d) the Issue price per Preferred A Share shall be: (i) forty euro (EUR 40) per Preferred A Share for the 15,450 shares issued at the occasions of the Seed Investment (as defined in the Agreement) and which were converted into Preferred A Shares on 14 March 2019; and (ii) eighty-five euro (EUR 85) per Preferred A Share for the Preferred A Shares issued in the Series A Investment on 14 March 2019; Key Manager means Tim Knotnerus; Know-How means any expertise, practice, experience, factual and technical knowledge and information relating to commercial, scientific and technical matters, inventions and trade secrets, including but not limited to any non-patentable technical and other information which is not in the public domain including information comprising or relating to concepts, discoveries, data, designs, formulae, ideas, reports and data analyses, procedures, tests, genes, plasmas, vectors, clones, cell lines, cell cultures, cell expression systems, cell constructions, developments, micro-organisms, chemical compounds, biochemical compounds, mutations, test systems, test protocols and purification materials and techniques; Liquidation Interest Profit Share has the meaning given in article 39.7; Liquidity Event has the meaning given in article 35.1; Major Investor means a Shareholder holding (together with its Permitted Transferees) not less than five per cent. (5%) of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement; Member of the Same Fund Group means, if the shareholder is an Investment Fund or is a custodian or nominee of that Investment Fund: |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (a) any participant or partner in or member of any such Investment Fund or the holders of any unit trust which is a participant or partner in or member of any Investment Fund (but only in connection with the dissolution of the Investment Fund or any distribution of assets of the Investment Fund pursuant to the operation of the Investment Fund in the ordinary course of business); (b) any Investment Fund managed, advised, sub advised, sponsored or controlled, directly or indirectly (including as delegate of the Fund Manager), by the Fund Manager managing or advising (including through delegation) the concerned Investment Fund or by another Fund Manager who is a member of the Investment Fund’s Group or its Fund Manager’s Group; (c) any parent company or a subsidiary company of the Investment Fund or Fund Manager, or any subsidiary company of any parent company of the Investment Fund or Fund Manager; (d) any general partner, managing member, officer, director, trustee, nominee or custodian of such Investment Fund and vice versa, or any venture capital fund or registered investment company now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners, managing members or investment advisers of such Investment Fund and vice versa; and (e) any Affiliate of an Investment Fund. Member of the Same Group means as regards any company, a company which is from time to time a parent company or a subsidiary company of that company or a subsidiary company of any such parent company; New Reorganisation Shareholder has the meaning given in article 11.8.3; Observer means a non-voting observer appointed in accordance with article 24.13; Offered Shares has the meaning given in article 11.4.1. Original Shareholder has the meaning given in article 11.2.1. Outstanding A Liquidity Preference has the meaning given to it in article 35.6; Outstanding B Liquidity Preference has the meaning given to it in article 35.5; Outstanding C Liquidity Preference has the meaning given to it in article 35.4; Outstanding D Liquidity Preference has the meaning given to it in article 35.3; Permitted Transferee means: |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (a) in relation to a Shareholder who is an individual, any of his Privileged Relations, Trustees or Qualifying Companies; (b) in relation to a Shareholder which is a legal entity, any Member of the Same Group; (c) in relation to a Shareholder which is an Investment Fund, any Member of the Same Fund Group; (d) in relation to a Preferred Shareholder: (i) any Member of the Same Group; (ii) any Member of the Same Fund Group; (iii) any nominee or custodian of that Preferred Shareholder (and vice versa); and (e) in relation to a holder of ESOP Common Shares, a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with the ESOP Stock Option Plan; Preferred A Dividend has the meaning given in article 32.2(e); Preferred A Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred A Shares then outstanding; Preferred A Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred A Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred A Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred A Shares means the preferred A shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Preferred B Dividend has the meaning given in article 32.2(d); Preferred B Issue Price means EUR 208.5045319; Preferred B Shares means the preferred B shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Preferred B Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred B Shares then outstanding; Preferred B Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred B Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred B Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred C Dividend has the meaning given in article 32.2(c); Preferred C Issue Price means EUR 208.5045319; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Preferred C Shares means the preferred C shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Preferred C Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred C Shares then outstanding; Preferred C Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred C Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred C Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred D Dividend has the meaning given in article 32.2(b); Preferred D Issue Price means EUR 239.7802117; Preferred D Shares means the preferred D shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in these articles and the Agreement; Preferred D Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred D Shares then outstanding; Preferred D Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred D Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred D Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred Dividend means the Preferred A Dividend, the Preferred B Dividend, the Preferred C Dividend and the Preferred D Dividend; Preferred Majority means the holders of a majority in number of the Preferred Shares then outstanding, which must in each case include the Preferred B Majority, the Preferred C Majority and the Preferred D Majority; Preferred Majority Consent means the written consent of the Preferred Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding, it being understood that the Preferred Majority Consent must include (i) the Preferred B Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred B Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding, (ii) the Preferred C Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred C Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding, as well as (iii) the Preferred D Majority, required insofar and for so long as any of the Preferred D Shares outstanding at the date of the Agreement remain outstanding; Preferred Shareholders means a holder of Preferred Shares; Preferred Shares means the Preferred A Shares, the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred C Shares and the Preferred D Shares; Prior A Payment has the meaning given in article 35.6; Prior B Payment has the meaning given in article 35.5; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Prior C Payment has the meaning given in article 35.4; Prior D Payment has the meaning given in article 35.3 Privileged Relations means, in relation to a shareholder who is an individual or deceased or former individual member, a spouse, civil partner, child or grandchild (including step or adopted or illegitimate child and their issue); Proposed Exit has the meaning given in article 22.1; Proposed Reorganisation has the meaning given in article 11.8.1; Prospective Transferee has the meaning given in article 11.7.1; Qualifying Company a company in which a shareholder or Trustee(s) holds the entire issued share capital and over which that shareholder or Trustee(s) exercises control (within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations); Qualifying IPO means an IPO (i) in which the gross aggregate subscription amount in respect of new shares issued at the time of the IPO is not less than EUR 70,000,000 (before deduction of underwriters’ commissions and other expenses); (ii) in which the issue price per new share on the IPO is at least 1.2x the Preferred D Issue Price (as adjusted for any Reorganisation); and (iii) which is effected on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, Official List of the United Kingdom Listing Authority, Euronext Amsterdam or Euronext Brussels; Realisation Distribution has the meaning given in article 39.10; Redmile Redmile Biopharma Investments III, L.P.; Remaining Offered Shares has the meaning given in article 11.4.6. Reorganisation means any return of capital, bonus issue of shares or other securities of the Company by way of capitalisation of profits or reserves (other than a capitalisation issue in substitution for or as an alternative to a cash dividend which is made available to the Preferred Shareholders) or any consolidation or subdivision or any repurchase or redemption of shares or any variation in the subscription price or conversion rate applicable to any other outstanding shares of the Company; Reorganisation Actions has the meaning given in article 11.8.1; Requested Price has the meaning given in article 11.4.2(c); Requested Terms has the meaning given in article 11.4.2(e); Right of First Refusal has the meaning given in article 11.4.3; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Right of First Refusal Invitation Notice has the meaning given in article 11.4.3; Sanofi means Sanofi Foreign Participations B.V. Series A Investment means the investment by V-BIO, AFB, BIVF, Pontifax, Omnes Funds, Torsten Dreier and Biodiscovery 5 for Preferred A Shares in the Company; Series A Investor Director has the meaning given in article 24.4; Series B Investment means the investment by, among others, Redmile, Cormorant, Walleye and Pfizer, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 2021 Shareholders’ Agreement, the 2021 Subscription Agreement and the 2022 Subscription Agreement; Series B Investor Director has the meaning given in article 24.3; Series C Investment means the investment by, among others, Fidelity, EQT and Dawn, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 2023 Shareholders’ Agreement and the 2023 Subscription Agreement; Series C Investor Director has the meaning given in article 24.2; Series D Investment means the investment by, among others, Sanofi, Invus, Fidelity and EQT, in the Company, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the 2024 Subscription Agreement. Shareholder means a holder of one or more Shares in the Company; Shareholder Representative has the meaning given in article 11.7.3; Share Sale means the sale of (or the grant of a right to acquire or to dispose of) any of the Shares (in one transaction or as a series of transactions) which will result in the purchaser of those shares (or grantee of that right) and persons acting jointly with him acquiring a Controlling Interest, but for completeness, does not include a Holding Company Reorganisation; Shares means the Preferred D Shares, the Preferred C Shares, the Preferred B Shares, the Preferred A Shares, the Common Shares, the ESOP Common Shares and any other shares in the issued share capital of the Company from time to time; 2021 Shareholders’ Agreement means the shareholders’ agreement between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 5 March 2021; 2023 Shareholders’ Agreement means the shareholders’ agreement between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 each as defined therein, dated 10 October 2023 (as amended on 8 July 2024); 2021 Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement relating to the Series B Investment between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 5 March 2021; 2022 Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement relating to the Series B Investment between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 24 June 2022; 2023 Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement relating to the Series C Investment between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 3 October 2023; 2024 Subscription Agreement means the subscription agreement relating to the Series D Investment between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors, each as defined therein, dated 22 October 2024; Subsidiary has the meaning of subsidiary (“dochtervennootschap” / “filiale”) as defined in article 1:15, 2°, of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations; Transfer or transfer means, when used with respect to Shares or Warrants, any transaction that has as its goal, or results in, the transfer of any ownership rights on such shares or warrants, for valuable consideration or for free, even when carried out by way of public auction, voluntarily or by virtue of a judicial decision, including, but not limited to, contributions, exchange transactions, transfers of universalities, transfers of business divisions, mergers, de-mergers, absorptions, liquidations or similar transactions, as well as the granting of options to purchase or sell such shares or warrants, the offer of (preferential) subscription rights on such shares or warrants or the conclusion of a swap, forward sale or other agreement, that completely or partly transfers the economic benefits or the ownership of such shares or warrants, regardless of the fact whether such a transaction is realized by means of delivery of other securities, in cash or otherwise; and transferred and transferring shall have a correlative meaning; Transfer Notice has the meaning given in article 11.4.1; Transferor has the meaning given in articles 11.4.1 and 11.5.1; Trustee in relation to a Shareholder means the trustee or the trustees of a Family Trust; and Warrants means the Anti-Dilution Warrants and Employee Stock Option Warrants and any other warrant issued by the Company. CHAPTER I. LEGAL FORM – NAME – REGISTERED OFFICE – PURPOSE – TERM. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Article 1.-LEGAL FORM – NAME. 1.1 The Company is a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”), abbreviated “NV”. 1.2 Its name is “AgomAb Therapeutics”. 1.3 Its name has to be preceded or followed by the designation of the company form, or the abbreviation of such form. Article 2.-REGISTERED OFFICE. 2.1 The registered office of the Company is established in the Flemish Region. 2.2 It may be transferred to any other place in Belgium by decision of the Board, subject to the application of the laws on the use of languages. 2.3 The Company may, by decision of the Board, establish administrative offices and operating offices, branches, agencies and warehouses in Belgium or abroad. Article 3.-OBJECT. The Company has as its object, in Belgium as well as abroad, on its own behalf as well as on behalf of third parties, alone or in participation with third parties: (a) the scientific research, the clinical study, the identification, the testing, analysis and evaluation, of biological, chemical or natural products with therapeutic or diagnostic potential in the life science area in general and in the pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, veterinary sectors in particular, and the production, the marketing, the exploitation, the granting or taking of a license and in general performing all possible transactions regarding any pharmaceutical or affiliated products and formulations; (b) the worldwide distribution of, selling of and providing services with regard to the products of the Company directly to clients and also via third parties; (c) the setting up of, participating in, managing of, monitoring of and collaborating with companies and other enterprises, obtaining, maintaining, selling or by other means managing of participations and interests in other companies and enterprises; (d) the financing of companies and other enterprises, borrowing, lending and collecting of funds, the participation in financial transactions, including the issuance of bonds, debentures or other securities, and concluding of all agreements somehow related thereto, to enterprises and companies connected to the Company in a group and to third parties; (e) providing guarantees, binding of the Company and encumbering assets of the Company for the benefit of enterprises and companies with which the Company is affiliated in a group and for the benefit of third parties; (f) to acquire, manage, exploit and dispose of movable goods, immovable property and all asset values in general; (g) to trade in currencies, securities, movable goods, immovable property and asset values in general; (h) to acquire, exploit and trade in patents, trademarks, licenses, know-how and other industrial property rights; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (i) to perform all types of industrial, financial and commercial activities. The Company may perform all civil, industrial, commercial, movable or immovable operations, directly or indirectly, totally or partially related to any section of its purpose, or that are of such a nature to enlarge the realization of its purpose or to facilitate it. The Company may in any way, participate in all companies or enterprises with a similar or a related purpose, or whose purposes are of such a nature to facilitate the realization of its own purpose. The Company may also enter into any agreement of cooperation, rationalization, association or other with such companies or enterprises. The Company may provide a guarantee or provide security, both by providing personal rights or rights in rem for the benefit of any physical or legal person, whether or not affiliated. It may execute the role of director, managing director (“zaakvoerder”/”gérant”) and liquidator. Article 4.-TERM. The Company is incorporated for an indefinite term. CHAPTER II. COMPANY’S CAPITAL AND SHARES. Article 5.-CAPITAL. The capital amounts to two hundred twenty-three million, seventy-one thousand, five hundred euro and sixteen cents (€ 223,071,500.16). It is represented by one million five hundred seventy-eight thousand five hundred twenty-two (1.578.522) registered shares without face value, of which: (a) twenty-five thousand (25,000) Common Shares; (b) two hundred and seventy-seven thousand two hundred and seventy-two (277,272) Preferred A Shares; (c) four hundred seventy-nine thousand forty (479,040) Preferred B Shares; (d) four hundred fifty-five thousand and four (455,004) Preferred C Shares; and e) three hundred forty-two thousand two hundred and six (342,206) Preferred D Shares. The capital is entirely and unconditionally subscribed for. Article 6.-PROFIT-SHARING CERTIFICATES, WARRANTS, CONVERTIBLE BONDS AND CERTIFICATES. The Company can issue profit sharing certificates, warrants, convertible bonds, or other securities. The Company can, for the benefit of the Company, collaborate with a third party for the issuance by this third party of certificates which represent the securities of the Company according to the provisions of article 7:61 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. The Company can decide to take charge of the costs connected to the certification and to the incorporation and functioning of the issuer of the certificates. The certificate-holders, the issuer of the certificates or third parties may only rely upon the collaboration of the Company for the issuance of the certificates, if the Company confirms its collaboration by writing to the issuer. The issuer of the certificates has to make himself known to the Company in this respect. The Company takes notice of this mentioning in the concerned register of securities. Article 7.-SHARES IN UNDIVISION OR CHARGED WITH TENANCY FOR LIFE. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 The shares are indivisible with regard to the Company. Joint owners must be represented with regard to the Company by one single person; as long as this is not the case, the rights attached to these shares shall be suspended. If no agreement can be reached between the titleholders, a competent judge may, upon request of the first party (including the company, as the case may be) to take action, appoint an interim administrator to exercise the concerned rights in the interest of the joint titleholders. If the shares belong to bare owners and usufructuaries all rights, including voting rights, shall be exercised by the usufructuary(ies). Article 8.-SERIES OF SHARES. 8.1 Series The shares are divided into the following classes: * Common Shares, * ESOP Common Shares, * Preferred A Shares, * Preferred B Shares, * Preferred C Shares, and * Preferred D Shares. All series of shares in the company shall benefit from the same rights and privileges unless specified otherwise in these articles or the Agreement. In the event of a transfer of shares, these shares shall remain allocated to the series of shares that they belonged to at the time of transfer. 8.2 Conversion 8.2.1 Irrespective of article 8.2.5, any holder of Preferred D Shares may at any time convert its Preferred D Shares, or any part of such Preferred D Shares and any declared but unpaid dividends (other than the Preferred D Dividend) into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 8.2.2 Irrespective of article 8.2.6, any holder of Preferred C Shares may at any time convert its Preferred C Shares, or any part of such Preferred C Shares and any declared but unpaid dividends (other than the Preferred C Dividend) into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 8.2.3 Irrespective of article 8.2.7, any holder of Preferred B Shares may at any time convert its Preferred B Shares, or any part of such Preferred B Shares and any declared but unpaid dividends (other than the Preferred B Dividend) into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 8.2.4 Irrespective of article 8.2.8, any holder of Preferred A Shares may at any time convert its Preferred A Shares, or any part of such Preferred A Shares and any declared but unpaid dividends (other than the Preferred A Dividend) into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio. 8.2.5 All of the Preferred D Shares shall mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Conversion Ratio: (A) on the date of receipt by the Company of written notice given by Preferred D Majority Consent requiring conversion of the Preferred D Shares; or (B) immediately upon the occurrence of a Qualifying IPO. 8.2.6 All of the Preferred C Shares shall mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio: (A) on the date of receipt by the Company of written notice given by Preferred C Majority Consent requiring conversion of the Preferred C Shares; or (B) immediately upon the occurrence of a Qualifying IPO. 8.2.7 All of the Preferred B Shares shall mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio: (A) on the date of receipt by the company of written notice given by Preferred B Majority Consent requiring conversion of the Preferred B Shares; or (B) immediately upon the occurrence of a Qualifying IPO. 8.2.8 All of the Preferred A Shares shall mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio: (A) on the date of receipt by the Company of written notice given by Preferred A Majority Consent requiring conversion of the Preferred A Shares; or (B) immediately upon the occurrence of a Qualifying IPO. 8.2.9 The ESOP Common Shares will mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the Conversion Ratio on the occurrence of an IPO. 8.2.10 The Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate will mandatorily convert into Common Shares at the applicable conversion rate set out in article 39.8 on the occurrence of an IPO. 8.2.11 Upon any conversion of Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares or Preferred A Shares, all entitlements to the Preferred Dividend, and/or Outstanding A Liquidity Preference, Outstanding B Liquidity Preference, Outstanding C Liquidity Preference and/or Outstanding D Liquidity Preference in respect of all Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares and/or Preferred A Shares (as the case may be) being converted shall be cancelled and all entitlements to any Catch-Up Amount in respect of all Common Shares shall be cancelled, it being understood, however, that such cancellation shall have no retroactive effect on the distribution of the Outstanding A Liquidity Preference (or part of it), the Outstanding B Liquidity Preference (or part of it), Outstanding C Liquidity Preference (or part of it) and/or the Outstanding D Liquidity Preference (or part of it) to holders of Preferred Shares or the distribution (or part of it) of the Catch-Up Amount to the holders of Common Shares, which may have occurred prior to such conversion. 8.2.12 The Conversion Ratio, shall from time to time be adjusted if any Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares, Preferred A Shares or ESOP Common Shares remain capable of being converted into Common Shares and (A) there is a consolidation and/or sub-division of Common Shares, in which case the Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted by an amount that in the opinion of the Board is fair and reasonable, to maintain the right to convert so as to ensure that each holder of Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares, Preferred A Shares and/or ESOP Common Shares (as the case may be) is in no better or worse position as a result of such consolidation or sub-division, such adjustment to become effective immediately after such consolidation or sub-division; or (B) there is an allotment of fully paid Common Shares pursuant to a capitalisation of profits or reserves to holders of Common Shares, in which case the Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted by an amount that in the opinion of the Board is fair and reasonable, to maintain the right to convert so as to ensure that each holder of Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares, Preferred A Shares and/or ESOP Common Shares (as the case may be) is in no better or worse position as a result of such capitalisation of profits or reserves, such adjustment to become effective as at the record date for such issue. 8.2.13 Following a conversion pursuant to this article 8.2, the Company shall, as soon as |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 reasonably practicable and no later than five (5) Business Days after conversion, enter the holders of the converted Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate, Preferred Shares or ESOP Common Shares in to the share register of the Company as the holders of the appropriate number of Common Shares and forward a definitive share certificate for the appropriate number of fully paid Common Shares to such holder of converted shares, by post to his address as shown in the share register of the Company free of charge. Article 9.-SHARES NOT FULLY PAID-UP – OBLIGATION TO PAY UP. The commitment to pay up a share in full is unconditional and indivisible. If shares not fully paid up belong to several persons undividedly, each of them is responsible for the payment of the full amount of the called up payments due. Any additional or full payment shall be requested by the Board at a time to be determined by it. The Shareholders shall be notified of this by registered letter, stating a bank account to which payment, to the exclusion of any other means of payment, must be made by bank transfer or deposit. The Shareholder shall be in default by the mere expiry of the period specified in the notification and interest shall be due to the Company at the statutory interest rate specified at that time. As long as the requested payments due on a share have not been made in accordance with this provision, the exercise of all associated membership rights shall remain suspended. If the Shareholder fails to comply with the notice of default sent by the Board by registered letter after the expiry of the period determined by the Board, the Board may have the shares concerned sold in the most appropriate manner, without prejudice to the Company’s right to claim from the Shareholder the outstanding payment as well as any damages. In addition, in the event of a transfer of shares that are not fully paid up, the transferor and transferee shall, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, be jointly and severally liable for full payment. In the case of successive transfers, all successive transferees shall be jointly and severally liable in accordance with the provisions of article 7:77 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. Early payments on shares may not be made without the prior consent of the Board. Article 10.-CAPITAL INCREASE. 10.1 Capital increase by contribution in cash Unless waived in writing by holders of not less than seventy-five per cent. (75%) of the Shares (including the Preferred C Majority and the Preferred D Majority), with respect to any specific capital increase, in the event of a capital increase by contribution in cash, each Shareholder has, in accordance with the provisions of articles 7:188 et seq. of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, a preferential right to subscribe to the newly issued shares in proportion to his participation in the capital (“pro rata participationis”) and calculated on an As-Converted Basis and fully diluted basis, it being understood that, with respect to Fidelity and EQT, any preferential subscription rights that Fidelity and EQT, respectively, may have pursuant to this article 10.1, cannot be waived without Fidelity’s and EQT’s respective consent. In case of different classes of shares, the holders of such class of shares will have a first preferential subscription right to subscribe to newly issued shares of such class. The Shareholders will also have the right to acquire the pro rata share (calculated on an As Converted Basis and fully diluted basis) of a Shareholder who does not exercise his legal preferential subscription right. The terms and conditions for the exercise of this preferential subscription right are laid down in the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. 10.2 The rights set out in article 10.1 shall not apply to: (a) the issue of any Employee Stock Option Warrants or the issue of any ESOP Common Shares on the exercise of any Employee Stock Option Warrant or the grant of any |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 ESOP Common Shares or rights over ESOP Common Shares under the ESOP Stock Option Plan; (b) the issue of any new Preferred D Shares in accordance with the terms of the 2024 Subscription Agreement; (c) the issue of any Anti-Dilution Warrants or shares issued on the exercise of any Anti-Dilution Warrants; (d) Shares or options or other rights over Shares issued or granted to the Shareholders in accordance with the terms of any shareholders’ agreement or similar document in force between the Shareholders and the Company from time to time; and (e) the issue of Shares following the conversion of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate. Article 11.-TRANSFER OF SHARES ISSUED BY THE COMPANY. 11.1 Conditions precedent to any transfer 11.1.1 References in this article 11 to Shares shall also be construed to mean any other securities in the Company, unless explicitly provided otherwise. Subject to the provisions set forth in this article 11, the Shareholders cannot transfer any Shares to any person or legal entity and any such transfer of Shares shall not be enforceable towards the other Shareholders and the Company unless: A. the transferring Shareholder notifies the Board in writing of the proposed transfer of Shares at least (i) ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective transfer to a Permitted Transferee (except if the proposed transfer of Shares is due to any change of law, regulation or rule which makes it unlawful for the transferring Shareholder to hold the Shares, in which case the transferring Shareholder notifies the Board as soon as possible after being informed of the relevant events requiring the transfer) or (ii) twenty (20) Business Days prior to the effective transfer for any other transfer (the Confirmation Notice); and B. the proposed transferee is a party to the Agreement or has signed an Accession Deed. 11.1.2 The Confirmation Notice must contain (i) the surname, full name, address, occupation, or in the case of a corporate entity the corporate name and registered office of the transferee, (ii) the number and classes of Shares that are transferred, (iii) the price and the conditions (save for the transfers to a Permitted Transferee referred to under paragraph (c) of the corresponding definition of this expression), and (iv) a copy of the Accession Deed duly executed by the transferee, as mentioned in article 11.1.1. above. 11.2 Permitted Transfers 11.2.1 Subject to the accomplishment of the conditions precedents set forth in article 11.1, a Shareholder (the Original Shareholder) may transfer all or any of his or its Shares to a Permitted Transferee without restriction as to price or otherwise. 11.2.2 A Permitted Transferee may transfer some or all of their Shares back to the Original Shareholder or to another Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder without restriction as to price or otherwise. Such transferee shall be deemed a Permitted Transferee. 11.2.3 Where under the provision of a deceased Shareholder’s will or laws as to intestacy, the |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 persons legally or beneficially entitled to any Shares, whether immediately or contingently, are Permitted Transferees of the deceased Shareholder, the legal representative of the deceased Shareholder may transfer any Share to those Permitted Transferees, in each case without restriction as to price or otherwise. Shares previously transferred as permitted by this article 11.2.3 may be transferred by the transferee to any other Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder without restriction as to price or otherwise. 11.2.4 If a Permitted Transferee who was a Member of the Same Group as the Original Shareholder ceases to be a Member of the Same Group as the Original Shareholder, the Permitted Transferee must not later than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which the Permitted Transferee so ceases, transfer the Shares held by it to the Original Shareholder or a Member of the Same Group as the Original Shareholder (which in either case is not in liquidation) without restriction as to price or otherwise failing which it will be deemed to have given a Transfer Notice in respect of those Shares. This article 11.2.4 may be disapplied in respect of any particular transfer to a Permitted Transferee by Preferred Majority Consent. 11.2.5 Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Original Shareholder, if a Permitted Transferee who was a Member of the Same Fund Group as the Original Shareholder ceases to be a Member of the Same Fund Group, the Permitted Transferee must not later than five (5) Business Days after the date on which the Permitted Transferee so ceases, transfer the Shares held by it to the Original Shareholder or a Member of the Same Fund Group as the Original Shareholder (which in either case is not in liquidation) without restriction as to price or otherwise failing which it will be deemed to give a Transfer Notice in respect of such Shares on the first Business Day after the expiry of that five Business Day period. This article 11.2.5 may be disapplied in respect of any particular transfer to a Permitted Transferee by Preferred Majority Consent or by decision of the Board. 11.2.6 Trustees, nominees of custodians may (i) transfer Shares to a Qualifying Company or (ii) transfer Shares to the Original Shareholder or to another Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder or (iii) transfer Shares to the new or remaining trustees upon a change of Trustees without restrictions as to price or otherwise. 11.2.7 No transfer of Shares may be made to Trustees unless the Board is satisfied: (a) with the terms of the trust instrument and in particular with the powers of the Trustees; (b) with the identity of the proposed Trustees; (c) the proposed transfer will not result in 50 per cent. or more of the aggregate of the Company’s share capital being held by Trustees of that and any other trusts; and (d) that no costs incurred in connection with the setting up or administration of the Family Trust in question are to be paid by the Company. 11.2.8 If a Permitted Transferee who is a Qualifying Company of the Original Shareholder ceases to be a Qualifying Company of the Original Shareholder, it must within five (5) Business Days of so ceasing, transfer the Shares held by it to the Original Shareholder (or, to any Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder) (and may do so without restriction as to price or otherwise) failing which it will be deemed (unless it obtains the approval of the Board), to have given a Transfer Notice in respect of such Shares on the first Business Day after the expiry of that five (5) Business Day period. 11.2.9 If a Permitted Transferee who is a spouse or civil partner of the Original Shareholder |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 ceases to be a spouse or civil partner of the Original Shareholder whether by reason of divorce or otherwise he must, within 15 Business Days of so ceasing either: (a) execute and deliver to the Company a transfer of the Shares held by him to the Original Shareholder (or, to any Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder) for such consideration as may be agreed between them; or (b) give a Transfer Notice to the Company in accordance with article 11.4, failing which he shall be deemed to have given a Transfer Notice on the first Business Day after the expiry of that 15 Business Day period. 11.2.10On the death (subject to article 11.2.3), bankruptcy, liquidation, administration or administrative receivership of a Permitted Transferee (other than a joint holder) his personal representatives or trustee in bankruptcy, or its liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver must within five (5) Business Days after the date of the grant of probate, the making of the bankruptcy order or the appointment of the liquidator, administrator or the administrative receiver (as applicable) execute and deliver to the Company a proof of a transfer of the Shares held by the Permitted Transferee without restriction as to price or otherwise. The transfer shall be to the Original Shareholder if still living (and not bankrupt or in liquidation) or, if so directed by the Original Shareholder, to any Permitted Transferee of the Original Shareholder. If the transfer is not executed and delivered within five (5) Business Days of such period or if the Original Shareholder has died or is bankrupt or is in liquidation, administration or administrative receivership, the personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy or liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver (as applicable) will be deemed to have given a Transfer Notice on the first Business Day after the expiry of that five Business Day period. 11.2.11A transfer of any Shares approved by the Board (acting by majority vote that includes an affirmative vote from at least one Investor Director) may be made without restriction as to price or otherwise and with any such conditions as may be imposed. 11.2.12Any Shares may at any time be transferred where there is a sale of the entire issued share capital of the Company to a Holding Company, pursuant to a Proposed Reorganisation. 11.2.13Any Shares may be transferred at any time pursuant to the exercise of a call option, in accordance with the Agreement. 11.3 Founder and Key Manager Restrictions The Founders and Key Manager may not transfer their securities of the company within the first two (2) years after 4 November 2024, except: (i) the unrestricted transfers pursuant to article 11.2 (except article 11.2.11), (ii) pursuant to the application of the Drag Along Right, as set out in article 11.7, (iii) pursuant to the exercise of a call option, in accordance with the Agreement, or (iv) with Preferred Majority Consent. 11.4 Right of first refusal 11.4.1 Without prejudice to the other provisions of article 11 (and in particular to the rights included in article 11.2), in the event that a Shareholder (the Transferor) wishes to transfer any or all of his Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) (the Offered Shares) to any person other than a Permitted Transferee of such |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Shareholder, he shall first give written notice of such intention to the Board (the Transfer Notice). For the avoidance of any doubt, the Transfer Notice can be part of the Confirmation Notice. Accordingly, upon receipt of the Transfer Notice, the condition precedent as set out in article 11.1.1.A. shall be deemed to be fulfilled. 11.4.2 The Transfer Notice shall: (a) specify the number and class of the Offered Shares and the percentage they represent of the total number of shares held by the Transferor; (b) specify if the Transferor wishes to transfer the Offered Shares to a third party, the name of the proposed transferee; (c) specify the requested price per Offered Share (the Requested Price); (d) specify the anticipated closing date for the transfer of the Offered Shares; and (e) fully describe the other terms and conditions on which the Transferor has agreed to transfer the Offered Shares (the Requested Terms). If no cash price is specified by the Transferor, the Requested Price must be agreed by the Board. In addition, if the Requested Price is not specified in cash, an equivalent cash value price must be agreed between the Transferor and the Board. In both cases, the price will be deemed to be the Fair Value of the Offered Shares if no price is agreed within five (5) Business Days of the Company receiving the Transfer Notice. Delivery of a Transfer Notice constitutes the Company as the agent of the Transferor for the sale of the Offered Shares at the Requested Price. 11.4.3 The Board shall give written notice to the Major Investors in order to enable each Major Investor to exercise a right of first refusal (the Right of First Refusal) on such Offered Shares, within ten (10) Business Days following the receipt by the Board of the Transfer Notice (the Right of First Refusal Invitation Notice). The Right of First Refusal Invitation Notice shall include a copy of the Transfer Notice. 11.4.4 Each Major Investor who wishes to purchase Offered Shares at the Requested Price and under the Requested Terms shall within ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of the Right of First Refusal Invitation Notice, notify the Board thereof, indicating the number of Offered Shares that it wishes to purchase. Any Major Investor who does not notify the Board within such period of ten (10) Business Days shall be deemed not to exercise its Right of First Refusal. 11.4.5 If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4 in aggregate for more than one hundred percent (100%) of the Offered Shares, each Major Investor who exercised its Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4 shall be allocated a number of Offered Shares pro rata to its shareholding compared to the other Major Investors who exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4, provided that such Major Investor shall not be allocated more Offered Shares than it requested to purchase. If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4 in aggregate for one hundred percent (100%) or less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Offered Shares, each such Major Investor shall be allocated the number of Offered Shares that it requested to purchase. 11.4.6 If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.4 in aggregate for less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Offered Shares, the Board shall, within five (5) Business Days following the expiry of the period provided for in article 11.4.4, send a written notice hereof to all Major Investors that exercised their Right of First Refusal in the first round. These Major Investors shall have a Right of First Refusal on the Offered Shares that are not taken in the first round (the Remaining |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Offered Shares). 11.4.7 Each Major Investor who wishes to purchase the Remaining Offered Shares at the Requested Price and under the Requested Terms shall within five (5) Business Days following receipt of the notice provided for in article 11.4.6, notify the Board thereof, indicating the number of Remaining Offered Shares that it wishes to purchase. Any Major Investor who does not notify the Board within such period of five (5) Business Days shall be deemed not to exercise its second Right of First Refusal. 11.4.8 If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.7 in aggregate for more than one hundred percent (100%) of the Remaining Offered Shares, the Remaining Offered Shares shall be allocated to the Major Investors who exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.7 pro rata, compared to the other Major Investors who exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.7, with respect to the number of Remaining Offered Shares they requested to purchase. If the Major Investors exercised their Right of First Refusal pursuant to article 11.4.7 in aggregate for one hundred percent (100%) of the Remaining Offered Shares or less, each such Major Investor shall be allocated the number of Remaining Offered Shares that it requested to purchase. 11.4.9 The Board shall inform the Transferor and the Major Investors, who exercised any Right of First Refusal, in writing of the final outcome of the Right of First Refusal procedure set out in articles 11.4.1 to 11.4.8 (including) within five (5) Business Days following the expiry of the period set out in article 11.4.4 or article 11.4.7, as the case may be. 11.4.10Contrary to article 1583 of the (former) Belgian Civil Code and subject to article 11.4.11, the ownership of the Offered Shares purchased by a Major Investor shall be transferred to such purchasing Major Investor upon payment by him of the Requested Price per purchased Offered Share within sixty (60) calendar days following the date of his first notice informing the Transferor that he wishes to purchase Offered Shares. Upon payment of the Requested Price and compliance with the specified terms and conditions, the Board shall have the power to record the transfer in the Company’s share register. 11.4.11If the Major Investors have not exercised their Rights of First Refusal with respect to all the Offered Shares or Remaining Offered Shares (any such Shares being the Unrestricted Shares), the Unrestricted Shares become freely transferable by the Transferor (subject to article 11.5 below) during a period of six (6) months as from the date of the Transfer Notice at a price not less than the Requested Price and under terms and conditions similar not more favourable than the Requested Terms. For transfers after this six (6) months’ period the procedure set out in this article 11.4 will have to be applied again. 11.4.12In the event that a Major Investor has any specific requirements around settlement of the purchase price in respect of any transfer pursuant to this article 11.4, such Major Investor shall communicate such request to the Board who shall seek to accommodate such requirements (insofar as reasonable) in the process set out above. 11.4A Valuation of Shares 11.4A.1 If no Requested Price can be agreed between the Transferor and the Board in accordance with provisions of article 11.4.2 or otherwise then, on the date of failing agreement, the Board shall either: (a) appoint an expert valuer in accordance with article 11.4A.2 (the Expert Valuer) to certify the Fair Value of the Offered Shares; or |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (b) if the Fair Value has been certified by an Expert Valuer within the preceding 12 weeks, specify that the Fair Value of the Offered Shares will be calculated by dividing any Fair Value so certified by the number of Offered Shares to which it related and multiplying such Fair Value by the number of Offered Shares the subject of the Transfer Notice. 11.4A.2 The Expert Valuer will be either: (a) the Statutory Auditor; or (b) if otherwise agreed by the Board (acting by majority vote that includes an affirmative vote from at least one Investor Director) and the Transferor, an independent firm of Chartered Accountants to be agreed between the Board and the Transferor. 11.4A.3 The Fair Value of the Offered Shares shall be determined by the Expert Valuer on the following assumptions and bases: (a) valuing the Offered Shares as on an arm’s-length sale between a willing seller and a willing buyer; (b) if the Company is then carrying on business as a going concern, on the assumption that it will continue to do so; (c) that the Offered Shares are capable of being transferred without restriction; (d) valuing the Offered Shares as a rateable proportion of the total value of all the issued Shares (excluding any Shares held in treasury) without any premium or discount being attributable to the percentage of the issued share capital of the Company which they represent but taking account of the rights attaching to the Offered Shares; and (e) reflect any other factors which the Expert Valuer reasonably believes should be taken into account. 11.4A.4 If any difficulty arises in applying any of these assumptions or bases then the Expert Valuer shall resolve that difficulty in whatever manner it shall in its absolute discretion think fit. 11.4A.5 The Expert Valuer shall be requested to determine the Fair Value within 20 Business Days of its appointment and to notify the Board of their determination. 11.4A.6 The Expert Valuer shall act as expert and not as arbitrators and their determination shall be final and binding on the parties (in the absence of fraud or manifest error); 11.4A.7 The Board will give the Expert Valuer access to all accounting records or other relevant documents of the Company subject to them agreeing to such confidentiality provisions as the Board may reasonably impose. 11.4A.8 The Expert Valuer shall deliver its certificate to the Company. As soon as the Company receives the certificate it shall deliver a copy of it to the Transferor. 11.4A.9 Unless the Board (acting by majority vote that includes an affirmative vote from at least one Investor Director) determines otherwise, the cost of obtaining the certificate shall be borne by the Transferor. 11.5 Co-Sale Right |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 11.5.1 Without prejudice to the other provisions of article 11, no transfer of any Common Shares held by a Founder or Key Manager may be made or validly registered unless the relevant Founder or Key Manager and any Permitted Transferee of that Founder or Key Manager (the Key Transferor) shall have observed the following procedures of this article 11.5 unless it has been determined, by Preferred Majority Consent, that this article 11.5 shall not apply to such transfer. 11.5.2 For the purposes of disapplying the procedures of article 11.5, any Shares held by a Key Transferor or its Affiliates shall be excluded from contributing towards the Preferred Majority Consent. 11.5.3 After the Key Transferor has gone through the Right of First Refusal process set out in article 11.4, the Key Transferor shall give the Company and each Major Investor (an Equity Holder) not less than 15 Business Days’ notice in advance of the proposed sale (a Co-Sale Notice). The Co-Sale Notice shall specify: (a) the identity of the proposed purchaser (the Buyer); (b) the number of Common Shares which the Key Transferor proposes to sell; (c) the price per share which the Buyer is proposing to pay to the Key Transferor and the Equity Holder; (d) the manner in which the consideration is to be paid; and (e) the address where the counter-notice should be sent. 11.5.4 The Company shall have five (5) Business Days to decide by approval of the Board (including at least two (2) Investor Directors) whether it wishes to acquire all of the Common Shares offered by the Transferor at the proposed price by sending a counter-notice to the Buyer and the Equity Holders. Upon service of the counter-notice on the Transferor by the Company, the Transferor must, against payment of the purchase price, transfer the Common Shares to the Company in the terms set out in the Co-Sale Notice. 11.5.5 If the Company does not elect to exercise its purchase right in article 11.5.3 and does not serve a counter-notice on the Transferor and the Equity Holders, the Equity Holders shall have a further ten (10) Business Days to notify the Transferor that they wish to sell a certain number of Shares held by them at the proposed sale price, by sending a counter-notice which shall specify the number of Shares which such Equity Holder wishes to sell. The maximum number of shares which an Equity Holder can sell under this procedure shall be: Where: X = is the number of Preferred Shares held by the Equity Holder; Y = is the total number of Preferred Shares held by the Equity Holders; and Z = is the number of Common Shares the Transferor proposes to sell. Any Equity Holder who does not send a counter-notice within such ten (10) Business Day period shall be deemed to have specified that they wish to sell no Shares. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 11.5.6 Following the expiry of fifteen (15) Business Days from the date the Equity Holders receive the Co-Sale Notice, the Transferor shall be entitled to sell to the Buyer on the terms notified to the Equity Holders a number of Shares not exceeding the number specified in the Co-Sale Notice less any Shares which Equity Holders have indicated they wish to sell, provided that (i) at the same time the Buyer (or another person) purchases from the Equity Holders the number of Shares they have respectively indicated they wish to sell on terms no less favourable than those obtained by the Transferor from the Buyer, (ii) the Equity Holders shall not be required to agree to any restrictive covenant in connection with such sale (including without limitation any covenant not to compete or any covenant not to solicit customers, employee or suppliers of any party to such sale), and (iii) no Equity Holder shall be required to provide any representations, warranties, indemnities or covenants in connection with such sale, except warranties in regard of such Equity Holder’s title to the Shares to be transferred and such Equity Holder’s capacity to enter into the transactions required to execute such sale. 11.5.7 No sale by the Transferor shall be made pursuant to any Co-Sale Notice more than three (3) months after service of that Co-Sale Notice. 11.5.8 Transfers of Shares made by Equity Holders exercising their Co-Sale Right in accordance with this article 11.5 shall not be subject to article 11.4. 11.6 Control tag along right 11.6.1 Without prejudice to the other provisions of article 11, in case a Shareholder and/or a bona fide third party obtain(s), individually or jointly, a Decisive Influence (as defined hereafter) in the Company (the Decisive Shareholder), each of the Major Investors (except for the Decisive Shareholder) has a put option to transfer all of its Shares, subject, however, to the Right of First Refusal set out in article 11.4, to the Decisive Shareholder (the Control Tag Along Right), regardless whether such a Decisive Influence has been obtained through the transfer of Shares, the subscription of shares or otherwise. 11.6.2 Such person shall have a Decisive Influence in the Company in case it, together with its Affiliates, Member of the Same Group and/or Member of the Same Funds Group acquires, directly or indirectly, control over the Company as defined in article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. 11.6.3 The Control Tag Along Right shall be exercisable by the Major Investors at a price per Share computed as the highest per share paid by the Decisive Shareholder over the last twelve (12) months to obtain a Decisive Influence in the Company. 11.6.4 The Decisive Shareholder shall give notice hereof to the Board (the Decisive Influence Notice), within ten (10) Business Days following the event pursuant to which he obtained a Decisive Influence on the Company. 11.6.5 The Board shall give written notice to each of the Major Investors: (a) in the event a Shareholder and/or a bona fide third party obtain(s), individually or jointly, a Decisive Influence in the Company or (b) of the Decisive Influence Notice (as the case may be), within five (5) Business Days following respectively (i) a Shareholder and/or a bona fide third party obtaining, individually or jointly, a Decisive Influence in the Company or (ii) receipt of the Decisive Influence Notice, in order to allow each of the |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Major Investors to exercise their Control Tag Along Right (the Control Tag Along Invitation Notice). 11.6.6 The Major Investors wishing to exercise their Control Tag Along Right shall, within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt of the Control Tag Along Invitation Notice, so notify the Decisive Shareholder and the Board in writing (the Control Tag Along Exercise Notice). Any Major Investor who does not notify the Board within such period of twenty (20) Business Days shall be deemed not to exercise its Control Tag Along Right. 11.6.7 The price for the Shares of the Major Investors who exercised their Control Tag Along Right shall be paid by the Decisive Shareholder and the Shares shall be transferred to the Decisive Shareholder at the latest ten (10) Business Days following receipt by the Decisive Shareholder of the Control Tag Along Exercise Notice. 11.6.8 The expenses incurred in respect of any work relating to the exercise of the Control Tag Along Right, including, but not limited to, any legal costs and fees, shall be borne by each of the Major Investors who exercised their Control Tag Along Right pro rata their respective part of the total amount of the proceeds paid for the shares by the Decisive Shareholder to the respective Major Investors. 11.6.9 In connection with a sale pursuant to the exercise of their Control Tag Along Right, the Major Investors shall not be required to (i) agree to any restrictive covenant (including without limitation any covenant not to compete or any covenant not to solicit customers, employee or suppliers of any party to such sale), (ii) provide any representations, warranties, indemnities or covenants in connection with such sale, except warranties in regard of such Major Investor’s title to the Shares to be transferred and such Major Investor’s capacity to enter into the transactions required to execute such sale. 11.7 Drag Along Right 11.7.1 If the Preferred Majority propose to transfer all of their interest in the Shares (the Preferred Shareholders agreeing to such proposal the Dragging Parties) with a bona fide transferee (the Prospective Transferee) in a transaction that is approved by the Board (following a majority vote including an affirmative vote from an Investor Director): A. the Right of First Refusal set forth in article 11.4, the Co-Sale Right set forth in article 11.5 and the Control Tag Along Right set forth in article 11.6 shall not be applicable; and B. the Dragging Parties may require each of the holders of Shares and any holders of rights to subscribe for shares (including through conversion) (the Dragged Parties) to sell and transfer their Shares and rights to the Prospective Transferee as part of such proposed transaction (or such other actions as necessary to effect the relevant transaction) upon the same terms and conditions, as accepted by the Dragging Parties (it being understood, however, that Securities giving right to shares shall be considered on a “per share, as if exercised/converted basis”, deducting their exercise/conversion price per Share) (the Drag Along Right). In the event that the consideration to be paid to the holders of Preferred C Shares in the proposed transaction is less than 2.0x the Preferred C Issue Price (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), the Preferred C Majority Consent shall be required to effect the Drag Along Right with respect to the Preferred C Shares. In the event that the consideration to be paid to the holders of Preferred D Shares in the proposed transaction is less than 2.0x the Preferred D Issue Price (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), the Preferred D Majority Consent shall be required to effect the Drag Along Right with respect to the Preferred D Shares. 11.7.2 The consideration (payable in cash or otherwise) for which the Dragged Parties shall |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 be obliged to sell each of their Shares shall be that to which they would be entitled if the total consideration proposed to be paid, allotted or transferred by the Prospective Transferee were distributed to the Dragged Parties and the Dragging Parties in accordance with the provisions of article 35. 11.7.3 In the event that the Dragging Parties, in connection with the Drag Along Right, appoint a shareholder representative approved by Preferred Majority Consent (a Shareholder Representative), with respect to matters affecting the Shareholders under the applicable definitive transaction agreements following completion of the transaction, each Dragged Party shall be deemed (i) to consent to: (x) the appointment of such Shareholder Representative; (y) the establishment of any applicable escrow, holdback, expense or similar fund in connection with any indemnification or similar obligations; and (z) the payment of such Dragged Party’s applicable portion (from the applicable escrow, holdback fund or expense fund or otherwise) of any and all reasonable and properly incurred fees and expenses of such Shareholder Representative, in each case in connection with such Shareholder Representative’s services and duties in connection with such Drag Along Right and its related service as the representative of the Dragged Parties; and (ii) not to assert any claim or commence any suit against the Shareholder Representative or any other Shareholder with respect to any action or inaction taken or failed to be taken by the Shareholder Representative in connection with its service as the Shareholder Representative, absent gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Shareholder Representative. 11.7.4 The Dragging Parties (or one or more persons designated by them) shall inform the Board in writing of their decision to exercise their Drag Along Rights, together with: (i) the name of the party to whom the Shares are being sold; (ii) the consideration for the Shares being sold (calculated in accordance with article 35; and (iii) the proposed date of the transfer and sale (the Drag Along Notice). For the avoidance of any doubt, the Drag Along Notice can be part of the Transfer Notice, as the case may be. The Board shall, within five (5) Business Days as of the date of the Drag Along Notice, inform the Dragged Parties thereof. Following the payment of the consideration for the Shares being sold, the Shares and, as the case may be, any other Securities of the Company of the Dragged Parties, shall transfer automatically and by operation of law to the Prospective Transferee in accordance with the above. 11.7.5 In the event that a Dragged Party does not provide the Prospective Transferee, within twenty (20) Business Days from the date on which the information is given by the Board, with the necessary details or other assistance to enable the Prospective Transferee to make the payment, then the Prospective Transferee shall make the payment to the Company, which shall hold the funds for and on behalf of the Dragged Party concerned and which shall transfer those funds, at the first request of such Dragged Party, to the latter (without any interest). 11.7.6 The ownership of the relevant shares shall be transferred at the date the ownership of the shares of the Dragging Parties is transferred to the Prospective Transferee. The Board or the persons designated by it shall have the power to record the transfer in the share register of the Company. 11.7.7 The expenses incurred in respect of any work relating to the exercise of the Drag Along Right, including, but not limited to, any legal costs and fees, shall be borne by each of the Shareholders pro rata their respective part of the total amount of the proceeds paid for the shares by the Prospective Transferee. 11.7.8 In connection with a sale pursuant to the exercise of the Drag Along Right and except with their consent, Dawn, Sanofi and the Major Investors that are Dragged Parties shall not be required to (i) agree to any restrictive covenant (including without limitation any covenant not to compete or any covenant not to solicit customers, employee or suppliers of any party to such sale) and (ii) provide any representations, warranties, indemnities or covenants in connection with such sale, except warranties in regard of |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Dawn’s, Sanofi’s or such Major Investor’s (as applicable) title to the Shares to be transferred and Dawn’s, Sanofi’s or such Major Investor’s (as applicable) capacity to enter into the transactions required to execute such sale. In addition to the foregoing, (i) the liability of Fidelity, Dawn, Canaan, Redmile, Pfizer, BIVF, EQT and Sanofi shall be (x) several (and not joint), (y) pro rata the number of Shares transferred and (z) capped at the amount of proceeds received by each of them, and (ii) Fidelity, Pfizer, BIVF, EQT and Sanofi shall not be required to provide any release of claims other than a release in customary form arising from its capacity as a Shareholder. Such exceptions as they relate to Fidelity, Dawn, Canaan, Redmile, Pfizer, BIVF, EQT and Sanofi, respectively, may only be waived with Fidelity’s, Dawn’s, Canaan’s, Redmile’s, Pfizer’s, BIVF’s, EQT’s and Sanofi’s respective written consent. A Dragged Party shall not be required to and shall not in any way be bound by any provisions of any instrument of transfer or other documents which would purport to require any such person to amend, extend or terminate any contractual or other relationship with the Company, the acquirer or their respective affiliates, except that a Dragged Party may be required to agree to terminate the investment-related documents between or among such Dragged Party, the Company and/or other Shareholders of the Company. 11.8 Holding Company Reorganisation 11.8.1 In the event of a Holding Company Reorganisation approved by: (i) Preferred Majority Consent and (ii) the Board (a Proposed Reorganisation), each Shareholder shall: (x) consent to, vote for, raise no objections to and waive any applicable rights in connection with the Proposed Reorganisation; and (y) take all such actions to tender their Shares as required pursuant to the Proposed Reorganisation, including, inter alia, the execution of a power of attorney by each Shareholder (except for Fidelity) approving the appointment of one or more Directors (or directors of the new Holding Company) as the Shareholder’s attorney to take all such actions for and on behalf of such Shareholder (the Reorganisation Actions). The Shareholders shall be required to take all Reorganisation Actions with respect to the Proposed Reorganisation as are reasonably required by the Board to facilitate the Proposed Reorganisation provided that nothing in this article 11.8.1 shall require any Shareholder to take any unlawful action or step. If any Shareholder (other than Fidelity) fails to comply with the provisions of this article 11.8, the Company shall be constituted as the agent of each defaulting Shareholder for taking such Reorganisation Actions as are necessary to effect the Proposed Reorganisation and the Directors shall be empowered to execute and deliver on behalf of such defaulting Shareholder the necessary documents to effect the Proposed Reorganisation, including, without limitation, any share exchange agreement and/or stock transfer form(s) and/or indemnity for any lost share certificate(s). 11.8.2 The Company shall procure that the new Holding Company shall ensure that the shares issued by it to the Shareholders (or a subsequent holder, as the case may be) pursuant to the Holding Company Reorganisation will be fully paid-up as to the amount determined in accordance with this article 11.8 and which new shares shall be subject to the constitutional documents of the new Holding Company and otherwise (subject to the express provisions of such constitutional documents) have the same rights as all other new Holding Company shares of the same class in issue at the time (other than as regards any dividend or other distribution payable by reference to a record date preceding the date of allotment and issue of such new Holding Company shares). 11.8.3 On any person, following the date of completion of a Holding Company Reorganisation, becoming a Shareholder pursuant to the exercise of a pre-existing option or warrant giving the right to acquire Shares in the Company or pursuant to the conversion of any convertible security of the Company or otherwise (a New Reorganisation Shareholder), the New Reorganisation Shareholder shall then be bound to do all such acts and things necessary in order to transfer all such resulting Shares to the new Holding Company, and the provisions of this article 11.8 shall apply with the necessary |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 changes to the New Reorganisation Shareholder provided that nothing in this article 11.8 shall require any such New Reorganisation Shareholder to take any unlawful action or step. 11.9 Lock Up 11.9.1 Other than the sale of any Shares to an underwriter pursuant to an underwriting agreement, each Shareholder shall only be required to enter into a separate lock-up agreement in respect of (or similar undertaking in relation to the retention, disposal or manner of disposal of) the Shares held by it immediately prior to an IPO, for not more than 180 days after the completion of the IPO in a form approved by the Board acting with Preferred Majority Consent if and to the extent reasonably required by the Company’s underwriters in order to facilitate an IPO, provided that: (a) all directors, officers of the Company and holders of at least 1% of the issued share capital (on an As Converted Basis) enters into a similar lock-up agreement or undertaking; (b) the lock up agreements or undertakings to be entered into by the other Shareholders are on no more onerous terms in all material respects to those which are entered into by all directors, officers of the Company and holders of at least 1% or more of the issued share capital (on an As Converted Basis); and (c) if any of the obligations described in this article 11.9 are waived or terminated with respect to any Shares held by any Shareholder, with the exception of a waiver or termination as a result of death or incapacity of a Shareholder that is a natural person, the restrictions shall be waived or terminated for each Shareholder pro rata the percentage of the Shares held by the applicable Shareholder. 11.9.2 Any Shares acquired by a Shareholder in the open market, as part of a secondary issuance or offerings in or after the IPO or any transfers of securities to Permitted Transferees shall not be subject to the restrictions set out in this article 11.9, provided that, in case of a transfer of securities to a Permitted Transferee, such Permitted Transferee shall be bound by the restrictions set out in this article 11.9 in the same manner as the Original Shareholder. 11.9.3 If any Shareholder fails to comply with the provisions of this article 11.9, the Company shall be constituted the agent of each defaulting Shareholder (other than Redmile, Fidelity and EQT) in order to take such actions as the Company considers reasonable in order to give effect to this article 11.9 and the Director may authorise an officer of the Company or a Director to execute and deliver on behalf of such defaulting Shareholder the necessary documents to effect the lockup, including, without limitation, a lock-up agreement, in a form approved by Preferred Majority Consent. With respect to Fidelity and EQT, none of the provisions of this article 11.9 shall be amended, terminated or waived without its consent, insofar as they relate to Fidelity and EQT, respectively. CHAPTER III. BODIES OF THE COMPANY. SECTION 1. General meeting Article 12.-ANNUAL MEETING- EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING. 12.1.1 If The annual general meeting of the Company shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month April at 4 PM (Brussels time). However, should this day be a legal holiday, the annual general meeting of the Company will take place on the next working day. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 12.1.2 The annual general meeting of the Company is held at the registered office of the Company or in the commune of the registered office of the Company or at any other location as set out in the convening notice. 12.1.3 The extraordinary or special general meetings of the Company are held at the place indicated in the invitation notice. Article 13.-NOTICES. 13.1.1 The notices of any general meeting of the Company shall state the agenda of the general meeting and shall be issued at least 15 days prior to the date of the general meeting. 13.1.2 The persons, who need to be convened to the meeting in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and who have participated in the meeting, shall be considered as validly convened. Article 14.-DISPOSAL OF DOCUMENTS. Together with the notice for any general meeting of the Company, a copy of the mandatory documents which must be provided at least 15 days prior to the date of the general meeting pursuant to the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations shall be sent to the persons who are entitled to such documents under any applicable legal provisions, unless such person has waived this formality in writing. Article 15.-ADMISSION TO THE MEETING. To be admitted to the general meeting, each owner of securities who has the right to be convened at the general meeting of the Company in accordance with the applicable legal provisions, must, if this is required in the convening notice, at least three days before the date set for the meeting, notify the management body of his intention to participate at the meeting, or else deposit his (certificates of) securities, at the registered office or with an institution indicated thereto in the convening notice. Article 16.-REPRESENTATION. 16.1 Each Shareholder may be represented, by way of a signed proxy, at a general meeting of the Company by a proxyholder, who needs not be a Shareholder. 16.2 The proxies may be communicated by letter, e-mail or any other means mentioned in article 2281 of the (former) Belgian Civil Code and shall be deposited at the bureau of the meeting. Moreover, the Board may demand that they be deposited at a place of its choosing three working days before the general meeting. Article 17.-ATTENDANCE LIST. The Shareholder or their proxyholders are obliged, before being admitted to the general meeting, to sign the attendance list indicating their surname, first name(s) and domicile or the corporate name and registered office and the number of shares they represent. Article 18.-COMPOSITION OF THE BUREAU – MINUTES. The general meetings shall be chaired by the Chairperson Director or, in the latter’s absence, by his substitute or by a member of the meeting appointed by the meeting. The chairperson of the meeting appoints the secretary. Should the number of persons allow this, the meeting will appoint two vote counters upon proposal of the chairperson. The minutes of the general meetings of Shareholders shall be signed by the members of the bureau and the Shareholders who wish to do so. These minutes shall be kept in a special register. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Article 19.-DELIBERATION – QUORUM REQUIREMENTS. No meeting can deliberate on items which are not included on the agenda, unless all shares are present at the meeting and the decisions are taken by unanimous votes. Unless the Belgium Code for Companies and Associations, the Agreement or these articles provide for more stringent majority and quorum requirements, a general meeting shall be validly constituted provided that at least one half of the Shares, including the Preferred B Majority, the Preferred C Majority and Preferred D Majority, is present or represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and all decisions are made by a simple majority of the votes cast. If this quorum is not reached at a first general meeting, the Board may, in accordance with these articles, convene a new general meeting (with the same agenda) to take place no sooner than ten (10) Business Days following the first general meeting. Such second general meeting can deliberate validly, irrespective of the Shareholders present or represented at that meeting, subject to article 21. Subject to article 21, Shareholders may adopt, unanimously and in writing all decisions that fall within the powers of the general meeting, with the exception of those decisions that must be recorded in a notarial deed. Article 20.-VOTING RIGHTS. Each share carries one vote and the voting rights attaching to the Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, the Preferred B Shares and the Preferred A Shares shall be calculated as if all Preferred D Shares, Preferred C Shares, Preferred B Shares and Preferred A Shares had converted into Common Shares in accordance with article 8.2. The classes of Shares will vote together and not as separate classes, except as otherwise provided in these articles or the Agreement or as otherwise required by law. Voting in writing is allowed. In this case the letter containing the vote mentions every item of the agenda and the words “accepted” or “rejected”, followed by the signature (handwritten or by electronic means); it has to be sent to the Company at the latest on the day before the meeting. Article 21.-MAJORITY. Except in the cases where the law, the Agreement or these articles provide more stringent provisions, the decisions are taken by ordinary majority of the votes cast. The following decisions by the general shareholders’ meeting shall require Preferred Majority Consent, notwithstanding more stringent provisions in the law, the Agreement or these articles: (a) any distribution of dividends; (b) any further issue of Shares by the Company; (c) any amendment to these articles or the rights attaching to any Shares; (d) any merger, sale or listing of the Company, and any sale of all or an important part of the assets of the Company (which for completeness, includes an Exit and an IPO); (e) any bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or judicial reorganisation of the Company; (f) the entering into of any joint venture; (g) any Holding Company Reorganisation; (h) any merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or acquisition, involving the Company or its Subsidiaries, in which the Company or its Subsidiaries are not the surviving entity; (i) any issuance and grant of options or warrants other than under the Employee Stock Option Plan and within the ESOP Cap; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (j) any increase to the ESOP Cap; (k) other than as expressly contemplated by the Agreement, these articles or the 2024 Subscription Agreement as regards any Investor (except Pfizer), enter into or vary any transaction or arrangement with, or for the benefit of any of the Directors or Shareholders or any person who is an Affiliate of the Directors or Shareholders other than employment and equity incentive arrangements in the ordinary course and consistent with the Company’s past practice; (l) granting of Shares, guarantees, payment undertakings, loans or similar undertakings which in aggregate exceed five hundred thousand euro (EUR 500,000) (other than transactions with or between subsidiaries); (m) acquisitions and disposals of a business or a real estate (or a material part thereof) by the Company; (n) increase or decrease of the Company´s capital (save pursuant to the issue of ESOP Common Shares under the Employee Share Option Plan), and the grant to the Board of the power to increase the capital by means of authorized capital as well as an increase of the authorized capital; (o) repurchase of its own Shares by the Company, save from any Leaver; (p) the appointment or removal of any person as a Director (save in accordance with clause 3 of the Agreement and article 24 of these articles); and (q) any increase in the number of Directors above eight (8). Article 22.-EXIT. 22.1 In the event of an Exit approved in accordance with the terms of these articles and the Agreement, (the Proposed Exit), all Shareholders shall consent to, vote for, raise no objections to and waive any applicable rights in connection with the Proposed Exit (Actions). 22.2 The Shareholders shall be required to take all Actions with respect to the Proposed Exit as are reasonably required to facilitate the Proposed Exit. 22.3 If any Shareholder (except for Fidelity and EQT) fails to comply with the provisions of this article 22, the Company shall be constituted as the agent of each defaulting Shareholder for taking the Actions necessary to effect the Proposed Exit and the Directors may authorise an officer or member to execute and deliver on behalf of such defaulting Shareholder the necessary documents and the Company may receive any purchase money due to the defaulting Shareholder in trust for each of the defaulting Shareholders. 22.4 If on an Exit, a Shareholder receives any funds that were not distributed in accordance with the order of priority set out in article 35, such Shareholder shall be required to repay such funds to the Company, or in such manner as the Company may direct, within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of notice from the Board. Article 23.-COPIES AND EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES. The copies and/or excerpts of the minutes of the general meetings addressed to third parties are signed by the Chairperson Director, by a managing Director or by two Directors. Their signature must be preceded by an indication of the capacity in which they act. SECTION 2. Management Article 24.-BOARD. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 24.1 The Board shall consist of at least three (3) and maximum eight (8) Directors, who need not be Shareholders, which shall be appointed by the shareholders at a general meeting of the Company in accordance with this article 24. 24.2 EQT shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series C Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to article 24.10. 24.3 Redmile shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series B Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to article 24.10. 24.4 The holders of a majority in number of the Preferred A Shares from time to time shall be entitled to propose (and remove and re-propose) one person as a non-executive director to the Board (the Series A Investor Director) and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to article 24.10. 24.5 The Board (acting by majority vote excluding the CEO Director then appointed (if any)) shall have the right to propose one person to act as a Director and CEO of the Company (the CEO Director) and to propose that any such person be removed as CEO Director and propose another CEO Director in his or her place and the Shareholders shall appoint or remove such person (as the case may be) as a Director pursuant to article 24.10. 24.6 Subject to Preferred Majority Consent, the Board (acting by majority vote) shall have the right to propose up to two natural persons to act as non-executive independent Directors (each an Independent Director and together the Independent Directors) and to remove any Independent Director so proposed and propose another Independent Director in his or her place. One Independent Director (as proposed by the Board) shall serve as the chairperson of the Board (the Chairperson Director). Both Independent Directors shall, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, have relevant industry expertise, and one of the Independent Directors shall serve as the chairperson of the Company’s audit committee, and shall also need to have the necessary competence and experience in finance, accounting and auditing. 24.7 Subject to the consent of at least one Investor Director and Preferred Majority Consent, the Board (acting by majority vote) shall have the right to propose up to two further natural persons to act as non-executive Directors, and to remove any such Director so proposed and propose another Director in his or her place. 24.8 Each of the Directors appointed pursuant to this article 24 shall be elected from a list of at least two (2) candidates for each position to be filled proposed by the relevant Shareholder or group of Shareholders. 24.9 The Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose candidates for a position as a Director shall notify the Company and the other Shareholders in writing of the identity of their nominees at least fifteen (15) days prior to the general meeting at which the Director(s) are to be appointed. 24.10 The appointment, removal and replacement of a Director proposed pursuant to articles 24.2, 24.3, 24.4, 24.5, 24.6 and 24.7 shall be effected at a general meeting convened for that purpose by the Company within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice from the relevant Shareholder or group of Shareholders pursuant to article 24.9 at which the Shareholders shall vote their shares in favour of the proposal by the relevant nominating Shareholder or Shareholders. 24.11 Any vacancy on the Board must be filled within one (1) month following the date on which such position became vacant. If a Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose a Director in accordance with this article 24 fail to present a proposed candidate within such one (1) month period, the shareholders’ meeting may appoint, at its discretion, a Director to fill the position for which no candidate was presented, until such Shareholder or group of Shareholders |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 has presented its candidate for such position. Such failure to present candidates does not entail a waiver from the right to present candidates for election, and the Shareholder or group of Shareholders entitled to propose candidates for a Director’s mandate shall have the right to request that a new general meeting of the Company be convened to elect the candidates that shall be so presented by it or them for election. 24.12 In case a vacancy occurs on the Board and a Director needs to be co-opted, the same right of proposal shall be vested to the Shareholder or group of Shareholders which had proposed the Director for the position that has become vacant. 24.13 If and for so long as they continue to hold Preferred Shares: (a) Fidelity may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place; (b) Dawn may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise, and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place; (c) Canaan may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise, and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place; (d) Biodiscovery 5 FPCI may appoint an Observer to attend all meetings of the Directors (and any sub-committee thereof), whether in person, by telephone or otherwise and shall have the right to remove such Observer, and upon such removal, appoint another Observer in his place. 24.14 The appointment or removal of an Observer pursuant to 24.13 shall be by notice in writing from the appointing Shareholder (or, in the case of the Fidelity Investors, FMR) and shall take effect when received by the Company at its registered office or produced to a meeting of the Board (or committee of the Board). 24.15 A Key Manager who is a Type A Leaver, a Type B Leaver or a Type C Leaver (as the case may be), as defined in the Agreement, will immediately resign from his/her directorship. 24.16 The Directors may be either natural persons or legal persons. When a legal person is appointed as a Director, it appoints a permanent representative from among its partners, managers, directors or employees who is charged with the execution of the assignment in the name and on behalf of the legal person. The latter may not dismiss his representative without at the same time appointing a successor. The appointment and termination of the mandate of the permanent representative shall be subject to the same rules of disclosure as if he were carrying out this mandate in his own name and for his own account. 24.17 The duration of their assignment may not exceed six years. The assignments end immediately after the annual meeting of the year in which they expire. They may be dismissed at any time by the general meeting. The Directors may be reappointed when their mandate expires. 24.18 The Company will reimburse the Directors and the Observers with the reasonable costs and out of pocket expenses incurred by them in respect of attending meetings of the Company or carrying out authorised business on behalf of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, no business advisory, monitoring or other fee will be paid to the Investor Directors, the Observers or the Shareholders entitled to propose the appointment of the Investor Directors or the Observers. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Article 25.-BOARD MEETINGS. 25.1 The Board shall meet at least four (4) times per year at any other location acceptable to the members of the Board, with such greater frequency as the Directors may require in the interest of the Company. Unless determined otherwise by the Board, at least two (2) meetings per year shall be held in person. 25.2 Notices to attend the Board meeting must be in writing and delivered to each Director and Observer at the latest ten (10) Business Days prior to the meeting. The Board may validly deliberate and decide without furnishing proof of the compliance with this formality with respect to the calling of the meeting, provided that all Directors are present or have waived their right in writing to be formally invited to the meeting. 25.3 Each Director may, by any written form of communication bearing his signature, authorise another member of the Board to represent him at a specific meeting. A Director may represent several of his colleagues and may, in addition to his own vote, cast as many votes as he has received proxies. 25.4 The Board shall be validly constituted to decide on the issues listed on the agenda provided that a majority of the Directors, including the CEO Director and at least one (1) Investor Director is present or validly represented at the meeting. Minutes of all Board and any committee. meetings shall be sent to each Director within thirty (30) Business Days of such meetings. 25.5 If at a meeting of the Board, the quorum is not met, a second meeting of the Board with the same agenda shall be convened within twenty (20) Business Days following the first meeting which can validly decide only on the items on the first meeting’s agenda whatever the number and class of Directors present or validly represented. 25.6 The Board can meet by telephone or videoconference or any other method by which each Director or Observer is able to be understood by the other Directors or Observers present. Article 26.-DELIBERATIONS. 26.1 Unless a higher threshold or specific consent is otherwise required under these articles or the Agreement, every decision of the Board shall be valid if approved by a majority of Directors present or represented at the relevant meeting. 26.2 The Board may pass resolutions by unanimous written consent in accordance with the applicable rules of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. 26.3 Each Director has one (1) vote but may cast, in addition to his own vote, as many votes as he has powers of attorney from his fellow Directors. 26.4 The following decisions shall require the approval of the Board (including approval of at least one (1) Investor Director, if appointed): (a) changes to the registered office, the head-office or a branch office of the Company; (b) establishment of any joint-venture agreement or long term agreement with a duration of more than three years (unless such long term agreement may be terminated at will with no more than three months’ notice); (c) approval of the Business Plan (as defined in the Agreement) or any material updates thereof; (d) approval of the annual financial, operating and investment budget for the Company or any material updates thereof; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (e) approval of investments or expenditures exceeding the approved annual budget of the Company by one million euro (EUR 1,000,000.00) or more; (f) appointment, terms of such appointment (including remuneration and any amendments to the terms of such appointment) and dismissal of members of the executive management of the Company; (g) determination of the powers of the managers responsible for the day-to-day management; (h) management of every stock option plan, such as the Employee Stock Option Plan defined in the Agreement (including granting of warrants thereunder); (i) any transactions, arrangements or agreements between the Company and any shareholder or person or Company affiliated to a shareholder or Director; (j) sale, transfer or disposal of any substantial part or asset or right of the Company with a value over five hundred thousand euro (EUR 500,000); (k) approval of and/or modification to any agreements concerning the disposal or acquisition of Intellectual Property rights (other than in the ordinary course of business); (l) any decision to apply Book XX of the Code of Economic Law; (m) issuance of securities of any class or convertible bonds, subscription warrants or other instruments that may give the holder thereof rights to receive, acquire or subscribe to shares in the Company other than options or warrants granted under the ESOP Stock Option Plan (or any previously approved stock option plan); (n) repurchase of its own shares by the Company; (o) engage in any court action or conduct any litigation, arbitration or similar litigation proceedings (other than for collecting claims of the company and taking actions that cannot be reasonably postponed without negative consequences for the Company) on behalf of the Company; (p) changing the accounting policies of the Company; (q) providing an indemnity or guarantee (other than in the ordinary course of business); (r) any participation in other companies, mergers or acquisitions, including disposal or acquisition of any securities in the capital of any other Company or establishment of any new branch or subsidiary of the Company; (s) granting or receiving of loans, financing or security obligations not previously approved by the Board (other than transactions with or between subsidiaries); (t) incurring debt in excess of five percent (5%) of the Series C Investment, as defined in the Agreement; (u) transactions outside the ordinary course of business (as set forth in the Business Plan (as defined in the Agreement)) or changes to the nature of the Company’s business; (v) connected party transactions other than transactions with or between subsidiaries; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (w) entering into any contract with an aggregated annual value above three million euro (EUR 3,000,000); or (x) selecting an independent expert for the purposes of clause 3.4 of the Anti-Dilution B Warrants, the Anti-Dilution C Warrants and/or the Anti-Dilution D Warrants. Article 27.-MINUTES. 27.1 The decisions of the Board are recorded in minutes signed by the Chairperson Director, or, in the latter’s absence, by his substitute or by a member of the Board appointed to act as chair of the meeting by the Board, the secretary and the members who so desire and shall be recorded in a special register. 27.2 Any proxy received by a Director shall be attached to the minutes of the meeting for which they were given. 27.3 The copies or extracts to be submitted to a court of law or elsewhere are validly signed by the Chairperson Director, the CEO Director or by two Directors. Article 28.-EXECUTIVE POWERS - ALLOCATION OF DUTIES WITHIN THE BOARD. 28.1 The Board is authorized to carry out all acts necessary or useful for the achievement of the Company’s purpose, with the exception of those acts for which, according to the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, only the general meeting is competent and any acts that expressly require the consent of the Shareholders pursuant to these articles. 28.2 Advisory Committees The Board may set up one or more advisory committees from among its members and under its liability. It shall define their composition and their tasks. 28.3 Daily management The board may delegate the daily management of the Company, the management of one or more sectors of its activities or the implementation of the decisions of the Board to one or more Directors, managers or proxy holders, whether or not Shareholders. If a Director is charged with the daily management, he bears the title of “managing director”. If a non-Director is charged with the daily management, he or she shall bear the title of manager or general manager or any other title to which he or she is referred in the appointment decision. The Board, as well as the proxies for the daily management within the framework of this daily management, may also grant specific powers to one or more persons of their choice. Article 29.-REPRESENTATION AUTHORITY. 29.1 The Company shall be validly represented vis-à-vis third parties, before the court and in the documents, including those requiring the intervention of a public official or a notary public, by two (2) Directors acting jointly. 29.2 Within the framework of the daily management, the Company is also validly represented by a person charged with daily management (Director or non-Director). 29.3 The Company is also, within the framework of their mandate, validly represented by a special proxyholder. 29.4 Furthermore, the Company may be represented abroad by any person expressly appointed for this purpose by the Board. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 SECTION 3. Control Article 30.-CONTROL. The auditing of the financial situation, the annual accounts and the regularity of the transactions to be reported on in the annual accounts is conferred to one or more statutory auditors, or, in the absence of a statutory auditor, to each Shareholder. CHAPTER IV. FINANCIAL YEAR – ANNUAL ACCOUNTS – DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS. Article 31.-FINANCIAL YEAR – ANNUAL ACCOUNTS – ANNUAL REPORT. The accounting year starts on the first of January and shall end on the thirty- first of December of each year. Article 32.-DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS. 32.1 Subject to article 32.2, from the net profits of the Company, at least five percent (5%) shall be set aside each year to constitute the legal reserve. Such deduction shall no longer be required as soon as this legal reserve reaches one tenth of the Company’s capital. Upon proposal of the Board, the general meeting shall annually decide on the allocation of the balance of the net profits. 32.2 The Company will, without any need for a resolution of the Board or of the Company, and before application of any profits to reserve or for any other purpose, but subject to and conditional upon the occurrence of a Liquidity Event, pay: (a) first, (and in priority to any classes of Shares), the holder of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate in accordance with the principles set out in article 39 of these articles; (b) second, (and in priority to any other classes of Shares), to the holders of Preferred D Shares a fixed cumulative cash preferential dividend in respect of each Preferred D Share held by them at the annual rate of 6 per cent. of the Issue Price per Preferred D Share (the Preferred D Dividend); (c) third, (and in priority to any other classes of Shares other than the Preferred D Shares), to the holders of Preferred C Shares a fixed cumulative cash preferential dividend in respect of each Preferred C Share held by them at the annual rate of 6 per cent. of the Issue Price per Preferred C Share (the Preferred C Dividend); (d) fourth, (and in priority to any other classes of Shares other than the Preferred D Shares and the Preferred C Shares), to the holders of Preferred B Shares a fixed cumulative cash preferential dividend in respect of each Preferred B Share held by them at the annual rate of 6 per cent. of the Issue Price per Preferred B Share (the Preferred B Dividend); and (e) fifth (and in priority to any other classes of Shares other than the Preferred D Shares, the Preferred C Shares and the Preferred B Shares), to the holders of Preferred A Shares a fixed cumulative cash preferential dividend in respect of each Preferred A Share held by them at the annual rate of 6 per cent. of the applicable Issue Price per Preferred A Share (the Preferred A Dividend), in each case to be paid to the person registered as its holder on a Liquidity Event. 32.3 The Preferred D Dividend, the Preferred C Dividend, the Preferred B Dividend and the Preferred A Dividend shall be calculated on a daily basis from the date of issue of the relevant Preferred |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 D Share, Preferred C Share, Preferred B Share or Preferred A Share (as the case may be) until the relevant Liquidity Event. 32.4 Subject to payment of the Preferred Dividends, the Board shall be entitled to determine whether any profits legally available for distribution with respect to any financial year of the Company will be distributed among the holders of the Shares (pari passu as if the Shares constituted one class of share), in which case such profits shall be distributed to Shareholders pro rata to their respective holdings of Shares (calculated on an As Converted Basis and fully diluted basis). 32.5 For the purposes of this article 32, with respect to Shares that are not fully paid up, “Issue Price” shall be construed as “the amount of the Issue Price actually paid up”. Article 33.-INTERIM DIVIDENDS. The Board is authorised to pay an interim dividend on the result of the financial year, subject to compliance with the conditions of article 7:213 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations and subject to the application of the same preference rules as referred to in article 35. Article 34.-PROHIBITED DISTRIBUTION. Any distribution of dividends made contrary to the law, the terms of these articles or the Agreement must be repaid by the Shareholder who received it. Article 35.-LIQUIDITY PREFERENCE. 35.1 In case distributions of proceeds or assets are made to the Shareholders as a result of (i) payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back; (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or judicial reorganisation of the Company; (iii) an Asset Sale; (iv) any merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity; (v) a Share Sale, or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above, (individually and collectively referred to as a Liquidity Event), it being understood that an IPO shall not constitute a Liquidity Event, the holder of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate shall be entitled to receive, after the payment (or other satisfaction) of the Company’s liabilities, for the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate it holds at the time of the Liquidity Event, in preference of each of the Shareholders, a Liquidation Interest Profit Share, in accordance with the principles set out in article 39 of these articles. 35.2 The surplus assets of the Company following payment of the Liquidation Interest Profit Share shall be applied (to the extent the Company is lawfully able to do so): (a) first, in paying to each holder of Preferred D Shares in priority to any other classes of Shares, an amount equal to the Issue Price per Preferred D Share held by them (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), together with any accrued or declared but unpaid dividends (including the Preferred D Dividend), or if greater, the amount that each holder of Preferred D Shares would receive on an As-Converted Basis (the D Preference Amount) (provided that if there are |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 insufficient surplus assets to pay the amounts due under this article 35.2(a), the available surplus assets shall be distributed to the holders of Preferred D Shares pro rata to their respective holdings of Preferred D Shares); (b) second, in paying to each holder of Preferred C Shares in priority to any other classes of Shares, an amount equal to the Issue Price per Preferred C Share held by them (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), together with any accrued or declared but unpaid dividends (including the Preferred C Dividend), or if greater, the amount that each holder of Preferred C Shares would receive on an As-Converted Basis (the C Preference Amount) (provided that if there are insufficient surplus assets to pay the amounts due under this article 35.2(b), the available surplus assets shall be distributed to the holders of Preferred C Shares pro rata to their respective holdings of Preferred C Shares); (c) third, in paying to each holder of Preferred B Shares, in priority to any other classes of Shares, an amount equal to the Issue Price per Preferred B Share held by them (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), together with any accrued or declared but unpaid dividends (including the Preferred B Dividend) or if greater, the amount that each holder of Preferred B Shares would receive on an As-Converted Basis (the B Preference Amount) (provided that if there are insufficient surplus assets to pay the amounts due under this article 35.2(c), the available surplus assets shall be distributed to the holders of Preferred B Shares pro rata to their respective holdings of Preferred B Shares); (d) fourth, in paying to each holder of Preferred A Shares, in priority to any other classes of Shares, an amount equal to the Issue Price per Preferred A Share held by them (as adjusted for any Reorganisation), together with any accrued or declared but unpaid dividends (including the Preferred A Dividend) or if greater, the amount that each holder of Preferred A Shares would receive on an As-Converted Basis (the A Preference Amount) (provided that if there are insufficient surplus assets to pay the amounts due under this article 35.2(d) the available surplus assets shall be distributed to the holders of Preferred A Shares pro rata to their respective holdings of Preferred A Shares and the applicable Issue Price for such Preferred A Shares); 35.3 In case the amount paid per Preferred D Share to the holders of Preferred D Shares at the occasion of a prior Liquidity Event (the Prior D Payment) is lower than the D Preference Amount, as calculated at the effective date of the Prior D Payment, then the holders of Preferred D Shares shall be entitled to receive at a next Liquidity Event, per Preferred D Share they hold, in preference to the holders of any other classes of shares, an amount equal to the difference between the D Preference Amount (calculated at the effective date of the Prior D Payment) and the Prior D Payment, wherein the resulting difference is adjusted with respect to any additional Preferred D Dividend payable for the period starting from the effective date of the Prior D Payment until the effective date of payment at the next Liquidity Event (the Outstanding D Liquidity Preference). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Outstanding D Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.4 In case the amount paid per Preferred C Share to the holders of Preferred C Shares at the occasion of a prior Liquidity Event (the Prior C Payment) is lower than the C Preference Amount, as calculated at the effective date of the Prior C Payment, then the holders of Preferred C Shares shall be entitled to receive at a next Liquidity Event, per Preferred C Share they hold, in preference to the holders of any other classes of shares other than the Preferred D Shares, an amount equal to the difference between the C Preference Amount (calculated at the effective date of the Prior C Payment) and the Prior C Payment, wherein the resulting difference is adjusted with respect to any additional Preferred C Dividend payable for the period starting from the effective date of the Prior C Payment until the effective date of payment at the next Liquidity Event (the Outstanding C Liquidity Preference). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Outstanding C Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.5 In case the amount paid per Preferred B Share to the holders of Preferred B Shares at the occasion of a prior Liquidity Event (the Prior B Payment) is lower than the B Preference Amount, as calculated at the effective date of the Prior B Payment, then the holders of Preferred |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 B Shares shall be entitled to receive at a next Liquidity Event, per Preferred B Share they hold, in preference to the holders of any other classes of shares other than the Preferred D shares and the Preferred C Shares, an amount equal to the difference between the B Preference Amount (calculated at the effective date of the Prior B Payment) and the Prior B Payment, wherein the resulting difference is adjusted with respect to any additional Preferred B Dividend payable for the period starting from the effective date of the Prior B Payment until the effective date of payment at the next Liquidity Event (the Outstanding B Liquidity Preference). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Outstanding B Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.6 In case the amount paid per Preferred A Share to the holders of Preferred A Shares at the occasion of a prior Liquidity Event (the Prior A Payment) is lower than the A Preference Amount, as calculated at the effective date of the Prior A Payment, then the holders of Preferred A Shares shall be entitled to receive at a next Liquidity Event, per Preferred A Share they hold, in preference to the holders of any other classes of shares other than the Preferred D Shares, the Preferred C Shares and the Preferred B Shares, an amount equal to the difference between the A Preference Amount (calculated at the effective date of the Prior A Payment) and the Prior A Payment, wherein the resulting difference is adjusted with respect to any additional Preferred A Dividend payable for the period starting from the effective date of the Prior A Payment until the effective date of payment at the next Liquidity Event (the Outstanding A Liquidity Preference). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Outstanding A Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.7 In case there is any positive balance of surplus assets after complete fulfilment of the D Preference Amount, the C Preference Amount, the B Preference Amount and the A Preference Amount (or after complete fulfilment of the last Outstanding D Liquidity Preference, the last Outstanding C Liquidity Preference, the last Outstanding B Liquidity Preference and Outstanding A Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events), each of the holders of Common Shares (i.e. for the avoidance of any doubt, excluding the ESOP Common Shares) will be entitled to receive per Common Share held at the time of the Liquidity Event an amount equal to the subscription price per Share at the occasion of the Seed Investment (i.e. forty euro (EUR 40) per Share) (the Catch-Up Amount). This process will be reiterated until complete fulfilment of the Catch-Up Amount in case of staged Liquidity Events. 35.8 In case there is any positive balance of surplus assets after complete fulfilment of the D Preference Amount, the C Preference Amount, the B Preference Amount and the A Preference Amount (or after complete fulfilment of the last Outstanding D Liquidity Preference, the last Outstanding C Liquidity Preference, Outstanding B Liquidity Preference and Outstanding A Liquidity Preference in case of staged Liquidity Events) and after complete fulfilment of the Catch-Up Amount, the remaining proceeds and assets will be distributed to all Shareholders pro rata to their security holding (to the extent such securities are actually paid up) on an as-if-converted basis. 35.9 In the event of a Liquidity Event whereby the proceeds of such Liquidity Event are received by the Company, the Shareholders shall cause the Company to distribute the proceeds to the security holders as outlined above, taking into account any existing and future liabilities of the Company, including, as the case may be any payment obligation outstanding under the License Agreement. 35.10 For the purposes of this article 35, with respect to Shares that are not fully paid up, “Issue Price” shall be construed as “the amount of the Issue Price actually paid up”. CHAPTER V. DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION. Article 36.-DISSOLUTION. The general meeting may at any time dissolve the Company, respecting the quorum and majority requirements for modifications of the by-laws. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Article 37.-DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION. 37.1 If the Company is dissolved followed by a liquidation one or more liquidators shall be appointed by the general meeting. 37.2 The appointment of one or more liquidators must be notified to the chairperson of the Commercial Court in order to receive its approval in accordance with article 2:84 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. 37.3 They dispose of the powers set forth in articles 2:87 and 2:88 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations, without the need for further special authorisation by the general meeting. However, the general meeting may at all times restrict these powers by simple majority. 37.4 All assets of the Company must be sold unless the general meeting decides otherwise. 37.5 If not all the shares have been paid up to the same extent, the liquidators restore the balance, either by making additional calls, or by making provisional payments. CHAPTER VI. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Article 38.-ELECTION OF DOMICILE. Every Director, statutory auditor or liquidator residing abroad is deemed, for the duration of his function, to have elected domicile at the registered office of the Company where all communications, notifications and summonses can be validly served. Article 39.-CLASS A PREFERENCE PROFIT SHARING CERTIFICATE. 39.1 The Company has issued one (1) profit sharing certificate, named “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”. 39.2 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” does not represent the capital of the Company. 39.3 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is and remains registered. The ownership title of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is exclusively determined by the entry in a special register of profit certificates kept at the registered office of the Company. 39.4 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” was granted to the private company with limited liability “Argenx”, established at 9052 Zwijnaarde, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7 / C, RCE Gent division Gent VAT BE 0818.292.196, within the framework of and as sole consideration under the license by Argenx to the company of the “argenx Intellectual Property”, in accordance with the Research and Commercialization License agreement of 14 March 2019 between the Company and Argenx, as amended from time to time (including on 3 October 2023) (the License Agreement). This License Agreement also sets out further agreements regarding the further development of the “argenx Intellectual Property”. 39.5 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is subject to the same transfer restrictions as the Company’s shares, as set out in article 11 of these articles. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 The transfer of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” will only become effective after the entry in the register of profit certificates of the statement of transfer as dated and signed by the transferor and the transferee or their representatives. 39.6 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is indivisible and the Company recognizes only one owner per Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate. If several persons have rights with respect to the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”, the exercise of these rights will be suspended until one person is designated as the owner of the Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate with respect to the Company. 39.7 In the circumstances set out below, the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” shall grant entitlement to a liquidation share, the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” of 6.60% of the amounts that would be distributable to the Shareholders of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” shall for all purposes of these terms and conditions, be calculated on all distributions to the Shareholders of the Company, even if they do not relate to the share of the argenx Intellectual Property licensed under the License Agreement to the Company. The aforementioned share of the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” of 6.60% will be further adjusted in the event of one (or more) capital increase(s) of the Company to be subscribed to in majority by a new Shareholder against a “pre-money” valuation of the shares of the Company that exceeds two hundred and twenty-five million EUR (€225,000,000) (“Dilutive Issue”). The adjusted percentage share of the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” will be calculated as follows new “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” = X * [(Y * W/Y)] / [(Y * W/Y) + (V * Z)] whereby: V = the number of shares the Company shall issue in the Dilutive Issue; W = two hundred and twenty-five million EUR (€225,000,000); X = the percentage of the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” immediately prior to the Dilutive Issue; Y = total number of outstanding shares of the Company immediately prior to the Dilutive Issue; Z = the issue price per share of the Dilutive Issue. 39.8 The “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” is issued for an indefinite period of time, it being understood that the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” shall automatically expire (i) upon termination of the License Agreement due to a ‘Material Breach’ or ‘Insolvency’ (respectively articles 8.2. and 8.3. of the License Agreement) on the part of Argenx and (ii) in the event of IPO. Immediately prior to the realization of such IPO, it will convert automatically into a number of Common Shares, such number being determined as a percentage of the total number of outstanding shares in the Company. The applicable percentage will be determined in accordance with the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” on the total number of outstanding shares (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company immediately prior to this IPO. If there has been one or more Dilutive Issuance prior to the IPO, then the applicable conversion rate will be adjusted in accordance with the formula in article 39.7 above. 39.9 In the event of a “Liquidity Event” (as defined in article 35 of these articles), the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” will be entitled to receive a “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” in accordance with article 39.7 above in priority to all other shares or securities of the |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Company and calculated on what is effectively distributed to the Shareholders of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, in case of, but not limited to, a Share Sale, the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” shall be entitled to receive a part of the purchase price for the transfer of shares and the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”, which shall be equal to the “Liquidation Interest Profit Share”, calculated on the purchase price for the transfer of the shares and the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”. 39.10 In the event the Company grants a license, enters into a partnership or otherwise disposes of rights with respect to “Licensed Products” as defined in the License Agreement, and a distribution of dividends, or any other form of distribution to the Shareholders is realized (a Realisation Distribution), the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” shall in priority on all other shares or securities of the Company be entitled to receive a “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” from this Realisation Distribution. More generally, in the event that the Company decides to distribute a profit (dividend), part of the distributable amount will be granted as dividend to the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” equal to a “Liquidation Interest Profit Share” in accordance with article 39.7 above. 39.11 The holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” has no voting rights at the general meetings, except in the cases determined by the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. In such cases, the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” entitles the holder to one vote. The holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” will in such cases always exercise its voting rights in the interest of the Company for all market-based decisions relating to the financing of the Company and if and to the extent that the decision to be taken does not disproportionately affect the rights attached to the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”. The holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” will be invited to general Shareholders’ meetings in the same way as the holders of capital shares and is entitled to receive similar information as a Shareholder. In general, the number of voting rights granted to profit sharing certificates may not exceed half of the total number of votes granted to the holders of the issued capital shares. Subsequently, the votes cast by the holders of profit certificates may under no circumstances be taken into account for more than two-thirds of the number of votes cast by the holders of the capital shares. 39.12 The holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate” has in no case a preferential subscription right and in particular no such rights in the event of a capital increase or in the event of the issue of new profit certificates by the Company. 39.13 When the Company enters into a strategic transaction, such as the granting of a licence on, a sale of one or more assets, a merger, demerger, contribution or acquisition of a branch of activity or any similar transaction, it shall ensure that the holder of the “Class A Preference Profit Sharing Certificate”, for everything not expressly provided for in the conditions of issue of this security, is equally (pari passu) involved in such transaction and consequently receives information in an equal manner, receives the same terms and equal treatment in all parameters of the transaction. ========================================================== Brussels, 2024. AUTHENTICATED. Notary public, |
| Confidential ACTIVE/202925561.5 SCHEDULE 4 ACCESSION DEED Accession Deed to the Shareholders' Agreement The undersigned hereby declares that he has knowledge of the most recent restated articles of association of AgomAb Therapeutics NV (the Company) and of the Shareholders' Agreement, dated 4 November 2024, as supplemented and/or amended from time to time, between the Company and its Shareholders (the Shareholders' Agreement). Upon signing of this Accession Deed, the undersigned declares to assume all rights and obligations of [•] resulting from the abovementioned Shareholders' Agreement and that he/she shall become, with immediate effect, bound by all the terms and conditions of the Shareholders' Agreement. For the purposes of clause 25 of the Shareholders' Agreement, the undersigned confirms that his contact details are as follows: Name: [•] Address: [•] Attention: [•] Email: [•] This Accession Deed shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Belgian law. All disputes arising out of or in connection with this Accession Deed shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Belgium. Done in ________________, on ________________, in as much originals as there are shareholders of the Company at the time of signing of this Accession Deed. _________________ ____________________ Transferee Transferor |
| Confidential ACTIVE/202925561.5 SCHEDULE 5 BUSINESS PLAN [***] |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 SCHEDULE 6 REGISTRATION RIGHTS 36. DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this Schedule 6: "Damages" means any loss, damage, claim or liability (joint or several) to which a party hereto may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state law, insofar as such loss, damage, claim or liability (or any action in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement of the Company, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto; (ii) an omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the indemnifying party (or any of its agents or Affiliates) of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any state securities law. "Demand Notice" has the meaning set forth in subsection 2.1(A) of this Schedule 6. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. "Excluded Registration" means (i) a registration, relating to the sale of securities to employees of the Company or a subsidiary pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase, or similar plan; (ii) a registration relating to an SEC Rule 145 transaction, or (iii) a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities. "Form S-1" means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC, or any other form under the Securities Act which the Company is then eligible or otherwise required to use, including Form F-1. "Form S-3" means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC that permits incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC, or any other such form under the Securities Act which the Company is then eligible or otherwise required to use, including Form F-3. "Holder" means any holder of Registrable Securities who is a party to this Agreement. "Immediate Family Member" means a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including, adoptive relationships, of a natural person referred to herein. "Initiating Holders" means, collectively, Holders who properly initiate a registration request under this Schedule 6. "Liquidity Event" has the meaning given in the New Articles. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity. "Registrable Securities" means (i) the Common Shares issuable or issued upon conversion of the Preferred A Shares; (ii) the Common Shares issuable or issued upon conversion of the Preferred B Shares; (iii) the Common Shares issuable or issued upon conversion of the Preferred C Shares; (iv) the Common Shares issuable or issued upon conversion of the Preferred D Shares (v) any Common Shares issued or issuable (directly or indirectly) upon conversion and/or exercise of any other securities of the Company held by the Investors; and (vi) any Common Shares issued as (or issuable upon the |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 conversion or exercise of any warrant, right, or other security that is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, the shares referenced in clauses (i) through (v) above; including in all cases securities representing such Common Shares (including without limitation depositary interests, American depositary receipts, American depositary shares and/or other instruments); but excluding in all cases, any Registrable Securities sold by a Person in a transaction in which the applicable rights under this Schedule 6 are not assigned pursuant to this Agreement, and excluding for purposes of Section 2 any shares for which registration rights have terminated pursuant to Subsection 2.12 of this Schedule 6. "Registrable Securities then outstanding" means the number of shares determined by adding the number of outstanding Common Shares that are Registrable Securities (including Common Shares represented by other securities, including without limitation depositary interests, American depositary receipts, American depositary shares and/or other instruments) and the number of Common Shares issuable (directly or indirectly) pursuant to then exercisable and/or convertible securities that are Registrable Securities. "Restricted Securities" means the securities of the Company required to be notated with the legend set forth in Subsection 2.11(B) hereof. "SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "SEC Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act. "SEC Rule 145" means Rule 145 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. "Selling Expenses" means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions, and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder, except for the fees and disbursements of the Selling Holder Counsel borne and paid by the Company as provided in Subsection 2.6. "Selling Holder Counsel" has the meaning set forth in Subsection 2.6. 2. REGISTRATION RIGHTS The Company covenants and agrees as follows: 2.1 Demand Registration (A) Form S-1 Demand. If at any time after the earlier of (i) five (5) years after the date of this Agreement and (ii) one hundred and eighty (180) days after the effective date of the registration statement for the IPO, the Company receives a request from Holders of at least 30% of the Registrable Securities then outstanding that the Company file a Form S-1 registration statement with respect to at least 25% of: the Registrable Securities then outstanding (or a lesser percent if the anticipated aggregate offering price, net of Selling Expenses, would exceed $10 million), then the Company shall (x) within ten (10) days after the date such request is given, give notice thereof (which notice shall not convey material non-public information, within the meaning of the Exchange Act, unless a Holder subsequently agrees in writing to accept such information after being advised of a potential transaction that relates to such Holder's rights under this Schedule 6) (the Demand Notice) to all Holders other than the Initiating Holders; and (y) as soon as practicable, and in any event within sixty (60) days after the date such request is given by the Initiating Holders, file a Form S-1 registration statement under the Securities Act covering all Registrable Securities that the Initiating Holders requested to be registered and any additional Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holders, as specified by notice given by each such Holder to the Company within twenty (20) days of the date the Demand Notice is given, and in each case, subject to the limitations of Subsections 2.1(C) and 2.3. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (B) Form S-3 Demand. If at any time when it is eligible to use a Form S-3 registration statement, the Company receives a request from Holders of at least 20% of the Registrable Securities then outstanding that the Company file a Form S-3 registration statement with respect to outstanding Registrable Securities of such Holders having an anticipated aggregate offering price, net of Selling Expenses, of at least $5 million, then the Company shall (i) within ten (10) days after the date such request is given, give a Demand Notice to all Holders other than the Initiating Holders; and (ii) as soon as practicable, and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the date such request is given by the Initiating Holders, file a Form S-3 registration statement under the Securities Act covering all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holders, as specified by notice given by each such Holder to the Company within twenty (20) days of the date the Demand Notice is given, and in each case, subject to the limitations of Subsections 2.1(C) and 2.3. (C) Notwithstanding the foregoing obligations, if the Company furnishes to Holders requesting a registration pursuant to this Subsection 2.1(C) a certificate signed by the Company's chief executive officer stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders to timely file such registration statement because such action would (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate reorganization, or other similar transaction involving the Company; (ii) require premature disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (iii) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, then the Company shall have the right to defer taking action with respect to such filing, and any time periods with respect to filing or effectiveness thereof shall be tolled correspondingly, for a period of not more than forty-five (45) days after the request of the Initiating Holders is given; provided that the Company may not invoke this right more than once in any twelve (12)-month period, provided further that the Company shall not register any securities for its own account or that of any other stockholder during such forty-five (45) day period, other than an Excluded Registration. (D) The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to Subsection 2.1(A) (i) during the period that is thirty (30) days before the Company's good faith estimate of the date of filing of and ending on a date that is ninety (90) days (or one hundred eighty (180) days, solely in the case of the IPO) after the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration, provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective; (ii) after the Company has effected two registrations pursuant to Subsection 2.1(A); or (iii) if the Initiating Holders propose to dispose of shares of Registrable Securities that may be immediately registered on Form S-3 pursuant to a request made pursuant to Subsection 2.1(B). The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to Subsection 2.1(B) (i) during the period that is thirty (30) days before the Company's good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date that is ninety (90) days after the effective date of, a Company- initiated registration, provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective; or (ii) if the Company has effected two registrations pursuant to Subsection 2.1(B) within the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the date of such request. A registration shall not be counted as "effected" for purposes of this Subsection 2.1(D) until such time as the applicable registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC, unless the Initiating Holders withdraw their request for such registration, elect not to pay the registration expenses therefor, and forfeit their right to one demand registration statement pursuant to Subsection 2.6, in which case such withdrawn registration statement shall be counted as "effected" for purposes of this Subsection 2.1(D); provided that, if such withdrawal is during a period the Company has deferred taking action pursuant to Subsection 2.1(C) then the Initiating Holders may withdraw their request for registration and such registration will not be counted as "effected" for the purposes of this Subsection 2.1(D). 2.2 Company Registration If the Company proposes to register (including, for this purpose, a registration effected by the Company for shareholders other than the Holders) any of its Common Shares or other securities under the Securities Act in connection with the public offering of such Common Shares or other securities, as the |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 case may be, solely for cash (other than in an Excluded Registration), the Company shall, at such time, promptly give each Holder notice of such registration (which notice shall not convey material non-public information, within the meaning of the Exchange Act, unless a Holder subsequently agrees in writing to accept such information after being advised of a potential transaction that relates to such Holder's rights under this Schedule 6). Upon the request of each Holder given within twenty (20) days after such notice is given by the Company, the Company shall, subject to the provisions of Subsection 2.3, cause to be registered all of the Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested to be included in such registration. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Subsection 2.2 before the effective date of such registration, whether or not any Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such registration. The expenses (other than Selling Expenses) of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Subsection 2.6. 2.3 Underwriting Requirements (A) If, pursuant to Subsection 2.1, the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to Subsection 2.1, and the Company shall include such information in the Demand Notice. The underwriter(s) will be selected by the Board and such selection, as well as the underwriters' discount, shall be reasonably acceptable to a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders. In such event, the right of any Holder to include such Holder's Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder's participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company as provided in Subsection 2.4(E)) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter(s) selected for such underwriting; provided, however, that no Holder (or any of their assignees) shall be required to make any representations, warranties or indemnities except as they relate to such Holder's ownership of shares and authority to enter into the underwriting agreement and to such Holder's intended method of distribution, and the liability of such Holder shall be several and not joint, and limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subsection 2.3, if the underwriter(s) advise(s) the Initiating Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, then the Initiating Holders shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that otherwise would be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be allocated among such Holders of Registrable Securities, including the Initiating Holders, in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the number of Registrable Securities owned by each Holder or in such other proportion as shall mutually be agreed to by all such selling Holders; provided that the number of Registrable Securities held by the Holders to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced unless all other securities are first entirely excluded from the underwriting. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the above provisions, the Company or the underwriters may round the number of shares allocated to any Holder to the nearest one hundred (100) shares. (B) In connection with any offering involving an underwriting of shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to Subsection 2.2, the Company shall not be required to include any of the Holders' Registrable Securities in such underwriting unless the Holders accept the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and its underwriters, and then only in such quantity as the underwriters in their sole discretion determine will not jeopardize the success of the offering by the Company. If the total number of securities, including Registrable Securities, requested by shareholders to be included in such offering exceeds the number of securities to be sold (other than by the Company) that the underwriters in their reasonable discretion determine is compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be required to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities, which the underwriters and the Company in their sole discretion determine will not jeopardize the success of the offering. If the underwriters determine that less than all of the Registrable |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Securities requested to be registered can be included in such offering, then the Registrable Securities that are included in such offering shall be allocated among the selling Holders in proportion (as nearly as practicable to) the number of Registrable Securities owned by each selling Holder or in such other proportions as shall mutually be agreed to by all such selling Holders. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the above provisions, the Company or the underwriters may round the number of shares allocated to any Holder to the nearest one hundred (100) shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall (i) the number of Registrable Securities included in the offering be reduced unless all other securities (other than securities to be sold by the Company) are first entirely excluded from the offering, or (ii) the number of Registrable Securities included in the offering be reduced below 30% of the total number of securities included in such offering, unless such offering is the IPO, in which case the selling Holders may be excluded further if the underwriters make the determination described above and no other shareholder's securities are included in such offering. For the purposes of the provision in this Subsection 2.3(B) concerning apportionment, for any selling Holder that is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, the partners, members, retired partners, retired members, stockholders, and Affiliates of such Holder, or the estates and Immediate Family Members of any such partners, retired partners, members, and retired members and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing Persons, shall be deemed to be a single "selling Holder," and any pro rata reduction with respect to such "selling Holder" shall be based upon the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all Persons included in such "selling Holder," as defined in this sentence. (C) For the purposes of Subsection 2.1 a registration shall not be counted as "effected" if, as a result of an exercise of the underwriter's cutback provisions in Subsection 2.3(A) fewer than 50% of the total number of Registrable Securities that Holders have requested to be included in such registration statement are actually included. 2.4 Obligations of the Company Whenever required under this Section 2 to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible: (A) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable and, upon the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, (i) keep such registration statement effective for a period of up to one hundred twenty (120) days or, if earlier until the distribution contemplated in the registration statement has been completed; provided that such one hundred twenty (120) day period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder refrains, at the request of an underwriter of Common Shares (or other securities) of the Company, from selling any securities included in such registration, and (ii) in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities that is intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, subject to compliance with applicable SEC rules, such that the one hundred twenty (120) day period shall be extended as necessary to keep the registration statement effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold; (B) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement, and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement, as may be necessary to comply with the Securities Act in order to enable the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement; (C) furnish to the selling Holders such numbers of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, as required by the Securities Act, and such other documents as the Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate their disposition of their Registrable Securities; (D) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or blue-sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the selling Holders; provided that the Company shall not be |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 required to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act; (E) in the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the underwriter(s) of such offering; (F) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on a national securities exchange or trading system and each securities exchange and trading system (if any) on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed; (G) provide a transfer agent and registrar and depositary, if applicable, for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Schedule 6 and provide a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration; (H) promptly make available for inspection by the selling Holders, any underwriter(s) participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney or accountant or other agent retained by any such underwriter or selected by the selling Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents, and properties of the Company, and cause the Company's officers, directors, employees, and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant, or agent, in each case, as necessary or advisable to verify the accuracy of the information in such registration statement and to conduct appropriate due diligence in connection therewith; (I) notify each selling Holder, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof of the time when such registration statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed; and (J) after such registration statement becomes effective, notify each selling Holder of any request by the SEC that the Company amend or supplement such registration statement or prospectus. 2.5 Furnish Information It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Section 2 with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Holder that such Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as is reasonably required to effect the registration of such Holder's Registrable Securities. 2.6 Expenses of Registration All expenses (other than Selling Expenses) incurred in connection with registrations, filings, or qualifications pursuant to this Section 2, including all registration, filing, and qualification fees; printers' and accounting fees; fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company; and the reasonable fees and disbursements, not to exceed $50,000, of one counsel for the selling Holders ("Selling Holder Counsel"), shall be borne and paid by the Company; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Subsection 2.1 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered (in which case all selling Holders shall bear such expenses pro rata based upon the number of Registrable Securities that were to be included in the withdrawn registration), unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right to one registration pursuant to Subsections 2.1(A) or 2.1(B) as the case may be; provided further that if, at the time of such withdrawal, the Holders shall have learned of a material adverse change in the condition, business, or prospects of the Company from that known to the Holders at the time of their request and have withdrawn the request with reasonable promptness after learning of such information then the Holders shall not be required to pay any of such expenses and shall not forfeit their right to one registration pursuant to Subsections 2.1(A) or 2.1(B) and the Company shall bear and pay such expenses instead. All Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 Section 2 shall be borne and paid by the Holders pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities registered on their behalf. 2.7 Delay of Registration No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any registration pursuant to this Agreement as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Section 2. 2.8 Indemnification If any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under this Section 2: (A) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each selling Holder, and the partners, members, officers, directors, and stockholders of each such Holder; legal counsel and accountants for each such Holder; any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for each such Holder; and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any Damages, and the Company will pay to each such Holder, underwriter, controlling Person, or other aforementioned Person any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred thereby in connection with investigating or defending any claim or proceeding from which Damages may result, as such expenses are incurred; provided that the indemnity agreement contained in this Subsection 2.8(A) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, nor shall the Company be liable for any Damages to the extent that they arise out of or are based upon actions or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by or on behalf of any such Holder, underwriter, controlling Person, or other aforementioned Person expressly for use in connection with such registration. (B) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of its directors, each of its officers who has signed the registration statement, each Person (if any), who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, legal counsel and accountants for the Company, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act), any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement, and any controlling Person of any such underwriter or other Holder, against any Damages, in each case only to the extent that such Damages arise out of or are based upon actions or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by or on behalf of such selling Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration; and each such selling Holder will pay to the Company and each other aforementioned Person any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred thereby in connection with investigating or defending any claim or proceeding from which Damages may result, as such expenses are incurred; provided that the indemnity agreement contained in this Subsection 2.8(B) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; and provided further that in no event shall the aggregate amounts payable by any Holder by way of indemnity or contribution under Subsections 2.8(B) and 2.8(D) exceed the proceeds from the offering, received by such Holder (net of any Selling Expenses paid by such Holder), except in the case of fraud or wilful misconduct by such Holder. (C) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Subsection 2.8 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action) for which a party may be entitled to indemnification hereunder, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Subsection 2.8, give the indemnifying party notice of the commencement thereof. The indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in such action and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, participate jointly with any other indemnifying party to which notice has been given, and to assume the defence thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided that an indemnified party (together with all other indemnified parties that may be represented without conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to retain one separate counsel, with the fees and expenses to be |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such action. The failure to give notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Subsection 2.8, to the extent (and only to the extent) that such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party's ability to defend such action. The failure to give notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Subsection 2.8. (D) To provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either: (i) any party otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Subsection 2.8 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last-right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case, notwithstanding the fact that this Subsection 2.8 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of any party hereto for which indemnification is provided under this Subsection 2.8, then, and in each such case, such parties will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses to which they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of each of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the statements, omissions, or other actions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability, or expense, as well as to reflect any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact, or the omission or alleged omission of a material fact, relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided that, in any such case (x) no Holder will be required to contribute any amount in excess of the public offering price of all such Registrable Securities offered and sold by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement, and (y) no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation; and provided further that in no event shall a Holder's liability pursuant to this Subsection 2.7(D), when combined with the amounts paid or payable by such Holder pursuant to Subsection 2.7(B) exceed the proceeds from the offering received by such Holder (net of any Selling Expenses paid by such Holder), except in the case of wilful misconduct or fraud by such Holder. (E) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall prevail; provided, however, that any matter expressly provided for or addressed by the foregoing provisions that is not expressly provided for or addressed by the underwriting agreement shall be controlled by the foregoing provisions. (F) Unless otherwise superseded by an underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering, the obligations of the Company and Holders under this Subsection 2.8 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration under this Section 2, and otherwise shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 2.9 Reports Under Exchange Act With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of SEC Rule 144 and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form S-3, the Company shall: (A) make and keep available adequate current public information, as those terms are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, at all times after the effective date of the registration statement filed by the Company for the IPO; |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after the Company has become subject to such reporting requirements); and (C) furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any Registrable Securities, forthwith upon request (i) to the extent accurate, a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the registration statement filed by the Company for the IPO), the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act (at any time after the Company has become subject to such reporting requirements), or that it qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after the Company so qualifies); and (ii) such other information as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the selling of any such securities without registration (at any time after the Company has become subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act) or pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after the Company so qualifies to use such form). 2.10 Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Holders of 60% of the Registrable Securities then outstanding, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company that would (i) provide to such holder the right to include securities in any registration on other than a subordinate basis after all Holders have had the opportunity to include in the registration and offering all shares of Registrable Securities that they wish to so include or (ii) allow such holder or prospective holder to initiate a demand for registration of any securities held by such holder or prospective holder; provided that this limitation shall not apply to any additional Investor who becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Deed of Adherence. 2.11 Restrictions on Transfer (A) The Registrable Securities shall not be sold, pledged, or otherwise transferred, in each case in the United States, and the Company shall not recognize and shall issue stop-transfer instructions to its transfer agent with respect to any such sale, pledge, or transfer in the United States, except upon the conditions specified in this Agreement, which conditions are intended to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act. In connection with a sale in the United States, a transferring Holder will cause any proposed purchaser, pledgee, or transferee of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder to agree to take and hold such securities subject to the provisions and upon the conditions specified in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has completed an IPO in the United States pursuant to a registration under the Securities Act, the Company shall not require any transferee of shares pursuant to an effective registration statement or, following the IPO, SEC Rule 144, in each case, to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. (B) Each certificate, instrument, or book entry representing (i) the Preferred D Shares, (ii) the Preferred C Shares, (iii) the Preferred B Shares, (iv) the Preferred A Shares, (v) the Registrable Securities, and (vi) any other securities issued in respect of the securities referenced in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or similar event, shall (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of Subsection 2.11(C)) be notated with a legend substantially in the following form: THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR A VALID EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 The Holders consent to the Company making a notation in its records and giving instructions to any transfer agent of the Restricted Securities, in order to implement the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Subsection 2.11. (C) The holder of such Restricted Securities, by acceptance of ownership thereof, agrees to comply in all respects with the provisions of this Section 2. Before any proposed sale or transfer of any Restricted Securities in the United States, unless there is in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the proposed transaction or following the IPO, the transfer is made pursuant to SEC Rule 144, the Holder thereof shall give notice to the Company of such Holder's intention to effect such sale or transfer; provided that no such notice shall be required in connection if the intended sale, pledge or transfer complies with SEC Rule 144. Each such notice shall describe the manner and circumstances of the proposed sale or transfer in sufficient detail and, if reasonably requested by the Company, shall be accompanied at such Holder's expense by either (i) a written opinion of legal counsel who shall, and whose legal opinion shall, be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, addressed to the Company, to the effect that the proposed transaction may be effected without registration under the Securities Act; (ii) a "no action" letter from the SEC to the effect that the proposed sale, pledge, or transfer of such Restricted Securities without registration will not result in a recommendation by the staff of the SEC that action be taken with respect thereto; or (iii) any other evidence reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Company to the effect that the proposed sale or transfer of the Restricted Securities may be effected without registration under the Securities Act, whereupon the Holder of such Restricted Securities shall be entitled to sell or transfer such Restricted Securities in accordance with the terms of the notice given by the Holder to the Company. The Company will not require such a legal opinion or "no action" letter (x) in any transaction in compliance with SEC Rule 144; or (y) in any transaction in which such Holder distributes Restricted Securities to an Affiliate of such Holder for no consideration; provided that each transferee agrees in writing to be subject to the terms of this Subsection 2.11. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may in its sole discretion waive compliance with this Subsection 2.11(C) and the Company's failure to object within 5 Business Days in writing after notification of a proposed assignment allegedly in violation of Subsection 2.11(C) shall be deemed to be such a waiver. (D) Subject to compliance with the Exchange Act, Securities Act and other applicable securities laws and regulations, including SEC Rule 144, and any contractual restrictions entered into by a Holder of Restricted Securities (such as a lock-up or market standoff agreement), at such Holder's request and at the Company's expense, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly remove all transfer restrictions (and any legends relating thereto) that are no longer required to restrict transfers of the Registrable Securities of the Company (or its successor) held by the Holder; provided, however, that the Holder may be required to produce customary seller representation letters and, as applicable, broker representation letters as required pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States, as amended, as well as an opinion of its counsel at the Holder's expense in connection with any such removal of transfer restrictions (and any legends relating thereto). 2.12 Termination of Registration Rights The right of any Holder to request registration or inclusion of Registrable Securities in any registration pursuant to Subsections 2.1 or 2.2 shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of: (A) the closing of a Liquidity Event; (B) such time as Rule 144 or another similar exemption under the Securities Act is available for the sale of all of such Holder's shares without limitation (including without observance of the manner of sale, volume limitation and notice provisions of Rule 144) during a three-month period without registration; and (C) the third anniversary of an IPO. 3. MISCELLANEOUS |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 3.1 Aggregation of Stock. For the purposes of determining the number of shares of Registrable Securities held by a transferee, the holdings of a transferee (i) that is an Affiliate or stockholder of a Holder; (ii) who is a Holder's Immediate Family member; or (iii) that is a trust for the benefit of an individual Holder or such Holder's Immediate Family Member shall be aggregated together and with those of the transferring Holding; provided further that all transferees who would not qualify individually for assignment of rights shall have a single attorney-in-fact for the purpose of exercising any rights, receiving notices, or taking any action under this Agreement. All shares of Registrable Securities held or acquired by Affiliates shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement and such Affiliated persons may apportion such rights as among themselves in any manner they deem appropriate. 3.2 Governing Law This Schedule 6 shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal law of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in application of any law other than the law of the State of New York. 3.3 Dispute Resolution The parties (i) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of State of New York and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Schedule 6, (ii) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Schedule 6 except in the state courts of State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (iii) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defence, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Schedule 6 or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS SCHEDULE 6, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. Each party to this Agreement will bear its own costs in respect of any disputes arising under this Schedule 6. Each of the parties to this Agreement consents to personal jurisdiction for any equitable action sought pursuant to this Schedule 6 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any court of the State of New York having subject matter jurisdiction. |
| ACTIVE/202925561.5 SCHEDULE 7 SERIES D PROXY AGREEMENT [***] |
Exhibit 10.1
FREE TRANSLATION
This document is drafted originally in Dutch. In the event of any discrepancies between the Dutch and English version of this document, the Dutch version shall prevail.
14 March 2019
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
Regarding the grant of maximum nine thousand seven hundred and twenty-three (9,723) Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 14 March 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 | |||
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 | ||
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 | ||
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5. | OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary | 8 | ||
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options | 9 | ||
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 | ||
| 5.4 | Term of Options | 9 | ||
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and Security | 9 | ||
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 | ||
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 | ||
| 6.2 | Acceptance or Refusal of the Offer | 10 | ||
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations | 10 | ||
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 | ||
| 7.1 | Exercise Conditions | 11 | ||
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 | ||
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise | 11 | ||
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods | 11 | ||
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option | 12 | ||
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the Right to Exercise the Options | 12 | ||
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 | ||
| 7.6.4 | Termination | 13 | ||
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 13 | ||
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 | ||
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or Ipo | 14 | ||
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 14 | ||
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 | ||
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.2 | Rights Attached to the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares | 15 | ||
2
| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 15 | ||
| 10.1 | Operation | 15 | ||
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 15 | ||
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 | ||
| 11. | TAXATION AND BELGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY | 16 | ||
| 11.1 | Taxation Rules Applicable to the Grant of Options | 16 | ||
| 11.1.1 | Moment of taxation | 17 | ||
| 11.1.2 | Taxable benefit | 17 | ||
| 11.2 | Applicable Taxation On Shares | 19 | ||
| 11.2.1 | Income tax | 19 | ||
| 11.2.2 | Tax on stock exchange operations | 19 | ||
| 11.2.3 | Special tax regime for foreign executives | 19 | ||
| 12. | EXPENSES | 20 | ||
| 12.1 | The Company | 20 | ||
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 20 | ||
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 20 | ||
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 20 | ||
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 21 | ||
| 16. | NOTICES | 21 | ||
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 21 | ||
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 21 | ||
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 21 | ||
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FOREWORD
The Employee Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors held on 14 March 2019 in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The Employee Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the Employee Stock Option Plan at nine thousand seven hundred and twenty-three (9,723) Options.
The Employee Stock Option Plan is set for an indefinite period of time. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the Employee Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another Employee Stock Option Plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
As far as certain categories of Beneficiaries are concerned, the Employee Stock Option Plan is issued in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Belgian law, dated 26 March 1999, (especially subpart VII thereof) regulating the shares with discount and stock options (article 41 through 47).
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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| 1. | DEFINITIONS |
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 11 of the Belgian Company Code. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3. |
| Beneficiary | : | a key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company (it being understood that if such key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors would be a management company, the Options shall, at the election of the management company concerned, be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company) to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Pieter Van Reysshootlaan 2/104, 9051 Sint-Denijs-Westrem (Ghent), Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent). |
| Employee Stock Option Plan | : | the Employee Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
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| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Initial Public Offering or IPO | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganisation of the Company, (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets (including intellectual property rights) of the Company, (iv) any merger, consolidation or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) any other event in which the control of the Company is transferred or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
| Offer | : | the offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the letter attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a warrant (“warrant” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the Employee Stock Option Plan, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the Employee Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the Employee Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
| Securities | : | shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or warrants), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or warrants attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right (“wettelijk voorkeurrecht” / “droit préférentiel de souscription”)). |
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| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Stock Option Act | : | the law of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions (as amended). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement as enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Subscription and Shareholders Agreement | : | the subscription and shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Key Founder, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 4 March 2019 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company in circumstances involving his/her being summarily dismissed by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct (“fraude” / “dol”), as far as related to the Company and as described in detail in the written termination notice from the Company to such Beneficiary and as having been confirmed by either the Beneficiary itself or by a final, binding and non-appealable judgement from a court having applicable jurisdiction, except as otherwise decided by the Board of Directors. |
| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, (i) within the first three (3) years or (ii) after three (3) years but without having given notice at least six (6) months before the intended leaving, after starting to providing services to the Company under his/her management agreement, employment agreement or other service agreement (as the case may be). |
| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
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| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS |
The Employee Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES |
The Employee Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS |
A maximum number of nine thousand seven hundred and twenty-three (9,723) Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the Employee Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
| 5. | OPTIONS |
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary |
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
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| 5.2 | Nature of the Options |
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be numbered and registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
| 5.3 | Option Price |
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
| 5.4 | Term of Options |
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance, regardless the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option, which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and security |
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company that it controls at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5 will not be exercisable.
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| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS |
| 6.1 | Offer Date |
The Company will address each Beneficiary a customized Offer Letter for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
| 6.2 | Acceptance or refusal of the Offer |
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form (being sixty (60) days after the date of the Offer) to the registered seat of the Company.
The Offer of Options shall be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within sixty (60) days following the date of the Offer, without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
In case of absence of signature, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Agreement has to be handed over, duly completed and signed, simultaneously with the Answer Form, at the address mentioned on the Answer Form.
From a Belgian tax point of view, the Stock Option Act considers the Options as granted on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Offer, provided that the Beneficiary has notified in writing his intention to accept the Offer prior to the expiration of said term.
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations |
The acceptance of the Offer by the Beneficiary results in (i) the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary, and (ii) the adherence by the Beneficiary to the Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement in his/her capacity as a holder of Warrants (as defined in the Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement).
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| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS |
| 7.1 | Exercise conditions |
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
| 7.2 | Exercise Price |
The Exercise Price equals the fair market value of the shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. This value is determined by the Company in accordance with the report of an auditor appointed by the Company for such purpose.
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise |
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods |
At least 75% of the Options will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer. |
| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer: vesting of 25 % of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised as of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
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The Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option |
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options |
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company.
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during the first valid exercise period after the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
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| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver |
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
| 7.6.4 | Termination |
When a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be), who is a Type B or Type C Leaver, ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, then such Beneficiary may be obliged, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to transfer but not sell, (i) all Shares held by such Type B or Type C Leaver and (ii) all Shares issued to the Type B or Type C Leaver pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options, within one month of, respectively, the leaving event, or the issuance of Shares pursuant to the exercise of Options, to a holding structure (“stichting” / fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated at that time and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be) and to be controlled by the Company, and the Type B or Type C Leaver will be entitled to receive the proceeds from those Shares held in escrow by said holding structure, but all other rights (including voting rights) with respect to the Shares will vest in this holding structure/entity.
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions |
A Beneficiary who is willing to exercise his/her Options, shall specify at the occasion of the exercise the numbers of the Options he/she wishes to exercise. In case the Beneficiary does not specify the numbers, the Beneficiary shall be considered to exercise his/her Options in chronological order of their granting, starting with the oldest.
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered or (ii) be sent by registered letter.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
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| 7.8 | Payment conditions |
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form. The Beneficiary has sixty (60) calendar days from the date of sending of the Exercise Form to proceed with the payment.
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or IPO |
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations, the Options will, in case of a Liquidity Event or an IPO, be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company, respectively immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange.
The tax consequences of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options may not be exercised during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY |
In case of death of the Beneficiary, his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
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| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS |
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares |
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
| 9.2 | Rights attached to the Shares |
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares |
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS |
| 10.1 | Operation |
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and quality of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of warrants or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
| 10.2 | Adaptation |
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio number/value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio.
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| 10.3 | Notice |
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
| 11. | TAXATION AND BELGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY |
The Belgian Stock Option Act is applicable to employees, directors (individuals only) and independent service providers (individuals only) who are taxable in Belgium on their professional remuneration or on their profits and dividends. The Belgian Stock Option Act, and, in accordance, the Belgian taxation regime, is not applicable to (foreign) employees, directors (individuals only) and independent service providers (individuals only), who are taxable outside Belgium on their professional remuneration or on their profits and dividends.
This analysis is thus not applicable to directors (companies) and independent service providers (companies) who are taxable in or outside Belgium. This analysis is neither applicable to employees, directors or independent service providers who are not taxable in Belgium pursuant to Belgian law or treaties entered into by Belgium. The Beneficiaries must take advice from their tax counsel in order to determine how the Grant and exercise of Options will be taxed in or outside Belgium.
As regards social security obligations, only when specific conditions are met employees can be exempt from social security contributions. Such exemption does not apply to persons considered to be self-employed persons for social security purposes. An amount will be due by such self-employed persons pursuant to the Options to the extent the maximum amount of social security contributions has not been met.
In general, since the principles described below are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax consequences of the Grant or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for the declaration of the Options in their tax return. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
| 11.1 | Taxation rules applicable to the Grant of Options |
The Options are governed by the following rules:
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| 11.1.1 | Moment of taxation |
In accordance with the Stock Option Act, the Grant of Options is regarded as a benefit in kind for qualifying Beneficiaries, and are taxable at the time the Options are granted. This benefit in kind is taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, is subject to the wage withholding tax. The wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised.
From a tax point of view, the Stock Option Act regards the Options as granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer, provided that the Beneficiary has given written notice of his/her will to accept the Offer before expiration of said period. The acceptance of the Offer must be notified to the offering entity before expiration of the above mentioned sixty (60) day period. Consequently, from a tax point of view, the Options are regarded as being refused if the Offer has not been accepted within the prescribed period in writing as required by the Stock Option Act.
If the Options fall within the scope of the Stock Option Act, Belgian tax law currently does not tax the Beneficiary at the time of exercise and the gain realized upon the transfer of the Shares acquired through the exercise of Options will neither be taxed as professional income, as long as the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries.
| 11.1.2 | Taxable benefit |
The benefit, valued at a certain percentage (see below) of the fair market value of the Company’s shares at the time of the Offer, is part of the earned income of the Beneficiary and will be taxed at the applicable progressive rate of income tax (to be increased with the “municipal surcharges”, usually varying between five percent (5%) and eight percent (8%) of the federal income tax due).
Fair Market Value of the Shares
The value of the Shares to be taken into account for the computation of the taxable benefit is the fair market value at the time of the Offer. The Company shall provide an estimate of this value in the Offer Letter, without any formal guarantee in that respect. If the Exercise Price of the Option is below said value, at the time of the Offer, the difference comes on top of the taxable benefit as described here below.
Applicable Percentage
As a general rule, the applicable percentage is set at eighteen percent (18%) of the fair market value of the Shares, to be increased by one percent (1%) per year or part of year in the course of which the Option remains exercisable after five (5) years as of the day the Offer is made.
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Under certain conditions, the percentage referred to above is reduced to nine (9%), to be increased by 0.5% per year or part of year in the course of which the Option remains exercisable above a period of five (5) years starting the day the Offer is made.
In order to benefit from this reduced rate, the following conditions must be satisfied:
| 1. | The Exercise Price of the Options must be clearly determined at the time that the Offer is made. |
| 2. | The Option cannot be exercised either before the expiry of the third (3rd) calendar year following the year in the course of which the Offer is made, or after the expiry of the tenth (10th) year following the year in the course of which the Offer is made. |
| 3. | The Options cannot be assigned inter vivo. |
| 4. | The risk of decrease in the value of the Shares, subject-matter of the Option, cannot be insured whether directly or indirectly either by the grantor of the Option, nor by any related person. |
| 5. | The Option shall relate to Shares of the Company for the benefit of which the professional activity is exercised or shares of another company which directly or indirectly holds shares in the Company. |
If the Employee Stock Option Plan does not satisfy the second and/or third condition, discussed above, the Stock Option Act nevertheless authorizes the Beneficiary to undertake to satisfy these conditions so as to be entitled to benefit from the reduced tax rate.
In the case at hand, the Options are granted for a period of ten (10) years as of their issuance date, regardless the date of their Grant. The applicable percentage shall in principle be 11.5 percent (11.5%) because the Options cannot be exercised before the end of the third (3rd) year following the year of the Offer.
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| 11.2 | Applicable taxation on Shares |
| 11.2.1 | Income tax |
Taxation on Dividends
Upon distribution of dividends to the Beneficiaries, the Company must in principle withhold thirty percent (30%) of the gross amount of the dividends.
Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the withholding tax rate can be reduced to twenty percent (20%) or fifteen percent (15%) provided that, inter alia, the dividends are taken from the profit distribution of the second financial year or subsequent financial years after the financial year of the contribution.
If the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries and the Belgian withholding tax on dividends has been withheld, the Beneficiaries do not have to include such dividends in their annual tax statement, but can if they so wish. If no Belgian withholding tax on dividends has been withheld, such dividends should in principle be included in the annual tax statement. Only the Beneficiaries who are subject to an aggregate tax rate equal to or less than thirty percent (30%) or the reduced withholding tax rate, if applicable, of their net income may benefit from including dividends on which Belgian withholding tax has been withheld in their annual tax statement. In such case, the dividends are subject to progressive income tax scales and the Belgian withholding tax can in principle (subject to specific conditions) be taken into account when calculating the amount of income tax due. As the case may be, the surplus will be reimbursed.
Taxes on gains
In principle, considering that the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries, individuals having their tax residence in Belgium need not pay Belgian income taxes on gains from the sale, exchange, purchase or other transfers of shares, except if they are the result of speculation or abnormal management of a private estate.
| 11.2.2 | Tax on stock exchange operations |
The Belgian tax on stock exchange operations is due on certain transactions agreed or performed in Belgium by a professional intermediary on public funds (i.e. securities tradable on a stock exchange).
Any sale or purchase of shares realized on a secondary market is subject to the tax on stock exchange operations at a rate of 0.35% of the sale or purchase price of the shares (with a maximum amount of EUR 1,600 per party and per transaction). This tax is due on each sale or purchase severally.
| 11.2.3 | Special tax regime for foreign executives |
In the event that the Beneficiary enjoys the special tax regime for foreign executives, this regime also applies to the benefit in kind arising from the Options. The taxable benefit resulting from the Grant of Options is reduced in accordance with the percentage of the travel exclusion.
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| 12. | EXPENSES |
| 12.1 | The Company |
Subject to Clause 11, all expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries |
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS |
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations in accordance with the Beneficiaries’ rights, without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against them five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES |
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have a significant impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the Employee Stock Option Plan.
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| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION |
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this Employee Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Employee Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
| 16. | NOTICES |
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the warrant register of the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION |
| 17.1 | Applicable law |
The Regulations, the Employee Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction |
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the Employee Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 1 – Offer Letter
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
The board of directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [·] Options at the exercise price of EUR [·] per Option.
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
For your information, please note that the value of the Shares which shall be taken into account to determine the amount of taxable income, in particular in order to determine the wage withholding tax to be withheld by the Company, equals EUR [·] (rounded) per Share to which the Option gives rise, it being EUR [·] per Option under the circumstances described under clause 11.1.2 of the Regulations, to the extent said hypothesis shall apply.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the board of directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV. Please note that failure to sign, to send the Answer Form or to send it late will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| [·] | ||
| Read and approved | ||
| [·] |
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EXHIBIT 2 – Stock Option Agreement
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN : | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Pieter Van Reysshootlaan 2/104, 9051 Sint-Denijs-Westrem (Ghent), Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent).); |
duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [·];
hereafter the Company,
| AND: | [·], |
hereafter the Beneficiary,
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created a Employee Stock Option Plan, the Employee Stock Option Plan – AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, in favor of the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary [, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Regulations and the provisions of the law of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions (the Stock Option Act)].
The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept these conditions.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the Employee Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
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THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
| 2. | The Company has offered [·] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Exercise Price is EUR [·] per Option. The Beneficiary will notify his/her acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
| 3. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Grant. |
| Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer: vesting of 25 % of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
The Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
| 4. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 5. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be later limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
| 6. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full) within the period of sixty (60) days following the Offer, he/she can be liable for taxes on the value of these Options. |
Done on in in duplicate, each party acknowledges having received its own original copy.
| The Company | The Beneficiary | |
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EXHIBIT 3 – Answer Form
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned Employee Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her decision in respect of the Grant dated DATE). He/She declares:
| - | to accept all the Options offered. |
| - | to accept out of the Options offered. |
| - | to refuse all the Options offered. |
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that:
| - | the acceptance of the Offer of Options constitutes a taxable benefit and that he/she will be liable for paying taxes on the Options; and |
| - | the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [·] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options. |
Done at on
| Signature | |
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| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [·] before [·], duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 4 – Exercise Form
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of (DATE):
(NUMBER) Options, attributed on (DATE) at the Exercise Price of (AMOUNT) EUR = (AMOUNT) EUR
| Total amount: EUR |
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [·] (NUMBER) for value [·] (DATE) latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [·] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number (NUMBER)
Done at on
| Signature |
Please send this document by [·] at the latest to [·] duly completed and signed.
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Exhibit 10.2
FREE TRANSLATION
This document is drafted originally in Dutch. In the event of any discrepancies between the Dutch and English version of this document, the Dutch version shall prevail.
11 September 2019
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
Regarding the grant of maximum seven thousand two hundred and thirty-seven (7,237) Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 11 September 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 | |
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 |
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 |
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 |
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 8 |
| 5. | OPTIONS | 8 |
| 5.1 | Number of Options Per Beneficiary | 8 | |
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options | 9 | |
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 | |
| 5.4 | Term of Options | 9 | |
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and Security | 9 |
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 |
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 | |
| 6.2 | Acceptance or Refusal of the Offer | 10 | |
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations | 10 |
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 |
| 7.1 | Exercise Conditions | 11 | |
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 | |
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise | 11 | |
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods | 11 | |
| 7.5 | Number of Shares Per Option | 12 | |
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the Right to Exercise the Options | 12 |
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 | |
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 12 | |
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 | |
| 7.6.4 | Termination | 13 |
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 13 | |
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 | |
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or Ipo | 14 |
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 14 |
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 |
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares | 15 | |
| 9.2 | Rights Attached to the Shares | 15 | |
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares | 15 |
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| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 15 |
| 10.1 | Operation | 15 | |
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 15 | |
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 |
| 11. | TAXATION AND BELGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY | 16 |
| 11.1 | Taxation Rules Applicable to the Grant of Options | 17 |
| 11.1.1 | Moment of taxation | 17 | |
| 11.1.2 | Taxable benefit | 17 |
| 11.2 | Applicable Taxation On Shares | 19 |
| 11.2.1 | Income tax | 19 | |
| 11.2.2 | Tax on stock exchange operations | 19 | |
| 11.2.3 | Special tax regime for foreign executives | 19 |
| 12. | EXPENSES | 20 |
| 12.1 | The Company | 20 | |
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 20 |
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 20 |
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 20 |
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 21 |
| 16. | NOTICES | 21 |
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 21 |
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 21 | |
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 21 |
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FOREWORD
The Employee Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors held on 11 September 2019 in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The Employee Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the Employee Stock Option Plan at seven thousand two hundred and thirty-seven (7,237) Options.
The Employee Stock Option Plan is set for an indefinite period of time. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the Employee Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another Employee Stock Option Plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
As far as certain categories of Beneficiaries are concerned, the Employee Stock Option Plan is issued in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Belgian law, dated 26 March 1999, (especially subpart VII thereof) regulating the shares with discount and stock options (article 41 through 47).
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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1. DEFINITIONS
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 11 of the Belgian Company Code. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3. |
| Beneficiary | : | a key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company (it being understood that if such key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors would be a management company, the Options shall, at the election of the management company concerned, be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company) to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent). |
| Employee Stock Option Plan | : | the Employee Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
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| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
Initial Public Offering or IPO | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganisation of the Company, (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets (including intellectual property rights) of the Company, (iv) any merger, consolidation or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) any other event in which the control of the Company is transferred or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
| Offer | : | the offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the letter attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a warrant (“warrant” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the Employee Stock Option Plan, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the Employee Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the Employee Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
| Securities | : | shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or warrants), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or warrants attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right (“wettelijk voorkeurrecht” / “droit préférentiel de souscription”)). |
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| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Stock Option Act | : | the law of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions (as amended). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement as enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Subscription and Shareholders Agreement | : | the subscription and shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Key Founder, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 4 March 2019 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company in circumstances involving his/her being summarily dismissed by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct (“fraude” / “dol”), as far as related to the Company and as described in detail in the written termination notice from the Company to such Beneficiary and as having been confirmed by either the Beneficiary itself or by a final, binding and non-appealable judgement from a court having applicable jurisdiction, except as otherwise decided by the Board of Directors. |
| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, (i) within the first three (3) years or (ii) after three (3) years but without having given notice at least six (6) months before the intended leaving, after starting to providing services to the Company under his/her management agreement, employment agreement or other service agreement (as the case may be). |
| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
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2. GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS
The Employee Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
3. BENEFICIARIES
The Employee Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
4. NUMBER OF OPTIONS
A maximum number of seven thousand two hundred and thirty-seven (7,237) Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the Employee Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
5. OPTIONS
5.1 Number of Options per Beneficiary
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
8
5.2 Nature of the Options
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be numbered and registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
5.3 Option Price
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
5.4 Term of Options
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance, regardless the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option, which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
5.5 Non-transferability and security
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company that it controls at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5 will not be exercisable.
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6. OFFER OF OPTIONS
6.1 Offer Date
The Company will address each Beneficiary a customized Offer Letter for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
6.2 Acceptance or refusal of the Offer
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form (being sixty (60) days after the date of the Offer) to the registered seat of the Company.
The Offer of Options shall be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within sixty (60) days following the date of the Offer, without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
In case of absence of signature, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Agreement has to be handed over, duly completed and signed, simultaneously with the Answer Form, at the address mentioned on the Answer Form.
From a Belgian tax point of view, the Stock Option Act considers the Options as granted on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Offer, provided that the Beneficiary has notified in writing his intention to accept the Offer prior to the expiration of said term.
6.3 Acceptance of the Regulations
The acceptance of the Offer by the Beneficiary results in (i) the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary, and (ii) the adherence by the Beneficiary to the Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement in his/her capacity as a holder of Warrants (as defined in the Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement).
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7. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
7.1 Exercise conditions
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
7.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price equals the fair market value of the shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. This value is determined by the Company in accordance with the report of an auditor appointed by the Company for such purpose.
7.3 Consequences of the Exercise
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
7.4 Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods
At least 75% of the Options will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer. | |
| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer: vesting of 25 % of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised as of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
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The Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and | |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
7.5 Number of Shares per Option
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
7.6 Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options
7.6.1 Type C Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company.
7.6.2 Type B Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during the first valid exercise period after the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
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7.6.3 Type A Leaver
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
7.6.4 Termination
When a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be), who is a Type B or Type C Leaver, ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, then such Beneficiary may be obliged, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to transfer but not sell, (i) all Shares held by such Type B or Type C Leaver and (ii) all Shares issued to the Type B or Type C Leaver pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options, within one month of, respectively, the leaving event, or the issuance of Shares pursuant to the exercise of Options, to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated at that time and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be) and to be controlled by the Company, and the Type B or Type C Leaver will be entitled to receive the proceeds from those Shares held in escrow by said holding structure, but all other rights (including voting rights) with respect to the Shares will vest in this holding structure/entity.
7.7 Exercise Conditions
A Beneficiary who is willing to exercise his/her Options, shall specify at the occasion of the exercise the numbers of the Options he/she wishes to exercise. In case the Beneficiary does not specify the numbers, the Beneficiary shall be considered to exercise his/her Options in chronological order of their granting, starting with the oldest.
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered or (ii) be sent by registered letter.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
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7.8 Payment conditions
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form. The Beneficiary has sixty (60) calendar days from the date of sending of the Exercise Form to proceed with the payment.
7.9 Liquidity Event or IPO
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations, the Options will, in case of a Liquidity Event or an IPO, be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company, respectively immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange.
The tax consequences of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options may not be exercised during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
8. DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY
In case of death of the Beneficiary, his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
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The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
9. NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
9.1 Nature of the Shares
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
9.2 Rights attached to the Shares
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
9.3 Transferability of the Shares
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
10. AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS
10.1 Operation
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and quality of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of warrants or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
10.2 Adaptation
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio number/value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio.
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10.3 Notice
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
11. TAXATION AND BELGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY
The Belgian Stock Option Act is applicable to employees, directors (individuals only) and independent service providers (individuals only) who are taxable in Belgium on their professional remuneration or on their profits and dividends. The Belgian Stock Option Act, and, in accordance, the Belgian taxation regime, is not applicable to (foreign) employees, directors (individuals only) and independent service providers (individuals only), who are taxable outside Belgium on their professional remuneration or on their profits and dividends.
This analysis is thus not applicable to directors (companies) and independent service providers (companies) who are taxable in or outside Belgium. This analysis is neither applicable to employees, directors or independent service providers who are not taxable in Belgium pursuant to Belgian law or treaties entered into by Belgium. The Beneficiaries must take advice from their tax counsel in order to determine how the Grant and exercise of Options will be taxed in or outside Belgium.
As regards social security obligations, only when specific conditions are met employees can be exempt from social security contributions. Such exemption does not apply to persons considered to be self-employed persons for social security purposes. An amount will be due by such self-employed persons pursuant to the Options to the extent the maximum amount of social security contributions has not been met.
In general, since the principles described below are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax consequences of the Grant or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for the declaration of the Options in their tax return. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
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11.1 Taxation rules applicable to the Grant of Options
The Options are governed by the following rules:
11.1.1 Moment of taxation
In accordance with the Stock Option Act, the Grant of Options is regarded as a benefit in kind for qualifying Beneficiaries, and are taxable at the time the Options are granted. This benefit in kind is taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, is subject to the wage withholding tax. The wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised.
From a tax point of view, the Stock Option Act regards the Options as granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer, provided that the Beneficiary has given written notice of his/her will to accept the Offer before expiration of said period. The acceptance of the Offer must be notified to the offering entity before expiration of the above mentioned sixty (60) day period. Consequently, from a tax point of view, the Options are regarded as being refused if the Offer has not been accepted within the prescribed period in writing as required by the Stock Option Act.
If the Options fall within the scope of the Stock Option Act, Belgian tax law currently does not tax the Beneficiary at the time of exercise and the gain realized upon the transfer of the Shares acquired through the exercise of Options will neither be taxed as professional income, as long as the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries.
11.1.2 Taxable benefit
The benefit, valued at a certain percentage (see below) of the fair market value of the Company’s shares at the time of the Offer, is part of the earned income of the Beneficiary and will be taxed at the applicable progressive rate of income tax (to be increased with the “municipal surcharges”, usually varying between five percent (5%) and eight percent (8%) of the federal income tax due).
Fair Market Value of the Shares
The value of the Shares to be taken into account for the computation of the taxable benefit is the fair market value at the time of the Offer. The Company shall provide an estimate of this value in the Offer Letter, without any formal guarantee in that respect. If the Exercise Price of the Option is below said value, at the time of the Offer, the difference comes on top of the taxable benefit as described here below.
Applicable Percentage
As a general rule, the applicable percentage is set at eighteen percent (18%) of the fair market value of the Shares, to be increased by one percent (1%) per year or part of year in the course of which the Option remains exercisable after five (5) years as of the day the Offer is made.
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Under certain conditions, the percentage referred to above is reduced to nine (9%), to be increased by 0.5% per year or part of year in the course of which the Option remains exercisable above a period of five (5) years starting the day the Offer is made.
In order to benefit from this reduced rate, the following conditions must be satisfied:
| 1. | The Exercise Price of the Options must be clearly determined at the time that the Offer is made. |
| 2. | The Option cannot be exercised either before the expiry of the third (3rd) calendar year following the year in the course of which the Offer is made, or after the expiry of the tenth (10th) year following the year in the course of which the Offer is made. |
| 3. | The Options cannot be assigned inter vivo. |
| 4. | The risk of decrease in the value of the Shares, subject-matter of the Option, cannot be insured whether directly or indirectly either by the grantor of the Option, nor by any related person. |
| 5. | The Option shall relate to Shares of the Company for the benefit of which the professional activity is exercised or shares of another company which directly or indirectly holds shares in the Company. |
If the Employee Stock Option Plan does not satisfy the second and/or third condition, discussed above, the Stock Option Act nevertheless authorizes the Beneficiary to undertake to satisfy these conditions so as to be entitled to benefit from the reduced tax rate.
In the case at hand, the Options are granted for a period of ten (10) years as of their issuance date, regardless the date of their Grant. The applicable percentage shall in principle be eleven and a half percent (11.5%) because the Options cannot be exercised before the end of the third (3rd) year following the year of the Offer.
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11.2 Applicable taxation on Shares
11.2.1 Income tax
Taxation on Dividends
Upon distribution of dividends to the Beneficiaries, the Company must in principle withhold thirty percent (30%) of the gross amount of the dividends.
Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the withholding tax rate can be reduced to twenty percent (20%) or fifteen percent (15%) provided that, inter alia, the dividends are taken from the profit distribution of the second financial year or subsequent financial years after the financial year of the contribution.
If the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries and the Belgian withholding tax on dividends has been withheld, the Beneficiaries do not have to include such dividends in their annual tax statement, but can if they so wish. If no Belgian withholding tax on dividends has been withheld, such dividends should in principle be included in the annual tax statement. Only the Beneficiaries who are subject to an aggregate tax rate equal to or less than thirty percent (30%) or the reduced withholding tax rate, if applicable, of their net income may benefit from including dividends on which Belgian withholding tax has been withheld in their annual tax statement. In such case, the dividends are subject to progressive income tax scales and the Belgian withholding tax can in principle (subject to specific conditions) be taken into account when calculating the amount of income tax due. As the case may be, the surplus will be reimbursed.
Taxes on gains
In principle, considering that the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries, individuals having their tax residence in Belgium need not pay Belgian income taxes on gains from the sale, exchange, purchase or other transfers of shares, except if they are the result of speculation or abnormal management of a private estate.
11.2.2 Tax on stock exchange operations
The Belgian tax on stock exchange operations is due on certain transactions agreed or performed in Belgium by a professional intermediary on public funds (i.e. securities tradable on a stock exchange).
Any sale or purchase of shares realized on a secondary market is subject to the tax on stock exchange operations at a rate of 0.35% of the sale or purchase price of the shares (with a maximum amount of EUR 1,600 per party and per transaction). This tax is due on each sale or purchase severally.
11.2.3 Special tax regime for foreign executives
In the event that the Beneficiary enjoys the special tax regime for foreign executives, this regime also applies to the benefit in kind arising from the Options. The taxable benefit resulting from the Grant of Options is reduced in accordance with the percentage of the travel exclusion.
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12. EXPENSES
12.1 The Company
Subject to Clause 11, all expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
12.2 The Beneficiaries
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
13. ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations in accordance with the Beneficiaries’ rights, without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against them five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
14. INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have a significant impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the Employee Stock Option Plan.
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15. NULLITY OF A PROVISION
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this Employee Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Employee Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
16. NOTICES
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the warrant register of the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
17. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
17.1 Applicable law
The Regulations, the Employee Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
17.2 Jurisdiction
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the Employee Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 1 - Offer Letter
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
The board of directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [·] Options at the exercise price of EUR [·] per Option.
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
For your information, please note that the value of the Shares which shall be taken into account to determine the amount of taxable income, in particular in order to determine the wage withholding tax to be withheld by the Company, equals EUR [·] (rounded) per Share to which the Option gives rise, it being EUR [·] per Option under the circumstances described under clause 11.1.2 of the Regulations, to the extent said hypothesis shall apply.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the board of directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV. Please note that failure to sign, to send the Answer Form or to send it late will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
| AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV | |
| [·] | |
| Read and approved | |
| [·] |
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EXHIBIT 2 - Stock Option Agreement
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN: | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent).); |
| duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [·]; | |
| hereafter the Company, | |
| AND: | [·], |
| hereafter the Beneficiary, |
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created a Employee Stock Option Plan, the Employee Stock Option Plan —AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, in favor of the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary [, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Regulations and the provisions of the law of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions (the Stock Option Act)].
The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept these conditions.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the Employee Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
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THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
| 2. | The Company has offered [·] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Exercise Price is EUR [·] per Option. The Beneficiary will notify his/her acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
| 3. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Grant. | |
| Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer: vesting of 25 % of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
The Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
| 4. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 5. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be later limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
| 6. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full) within the period of sixty (60) days following the Offer, he/she can be liable for taxes on the value of these Options. |
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Done on in in duplicate, each party acknowledges having received its own original copy.
| The Company | The Beneficiary | |
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EXHIBIT 3 - Answer Form
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned Employee Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her decision in respect of the Grant dated (DATE). He/She declares:
| - | to accept all the Options offered. |
| - | to accept out of the Options offered. |
| - | to refuse all the Options offered. |
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that:
| - | the acceptance of the Offer of Options constitutes a taxable benefit and that he/she will be liable for paying taxes on the Options; and |
| - | the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [·] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options. |
Done at on
| Signature | |
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| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [·] before [·], duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 4 - Exercise Form
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of (DATE):
(NUMBER) Options, attributed on (DATE) at the Exercise Price of (AMOUNT) EUR = (AMOUNT) EUR
Total amount: EUR
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [·] (NUMBER) for value [·] (DATE) latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [·] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number (NUMBER)
Done at on
| Signature |
Please send this document by [·] at the latest to [·] duly completed and signed.
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Exhibit 10.3
FREE TRANSLATION
This document is drafted originally in Dutch. In the event of any discrepancies between the Dutch and English version of this document, the Dutch version shall prevail.
25 March 2020
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
Regarding the grant of maximum five thousand five hundred and forty-three (5,543) Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 25 March 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 | |||
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 | ||
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 | ||
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5. | OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary | 8 | ||
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options | 9 | ||
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 | ||
| 5.4 | Term of Options | 9 | ||
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and security | 9 | ||
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 | ||
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 | ||
| 6.2 | Acceptance or refusal of the Offer | 10 | ||
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations | 10 | ||
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 | ||
| 7.1 | Exercise conditions | 11 | ||
| 7.2 | Exercise price | 11 | ||
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise | 11 | ||
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods | 11 | ||
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option | 12 | ||
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options | 12 | ||
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 | ||
| 7.6.4 | Termination | 13 | ||
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 13 | ||
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 | ||
| 7.9 | Liquidity event or IPO | 14 | ||
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 14 | ||
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 | ||
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.2 | Rights attached to the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares | 15 | ||
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| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 15 | ||
| 10.1 | Operation | 15 | ||
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 15 | ||
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 | ||
| 11. | TAXATION AND BELGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY | 16 | ||
| 11.1 | Taxation rules applicable to the Grant of Options | 17 | ||
| 11.1.1 | Moment of taxation | 17 | ||
| 11.1.2 | Taxable benefit | 17 | ||
| 11.2 | Applicable taxation on Shares | 19 | ||
| 11.2.1 | Income tax | 19 | ||
| 11.2.2 | Tax on stock exchange operations | 19 | ||
| 11.2.3 | Special tax regime for foreign executives | 19 | ||
| 12. | EXPENSES | 20 | ||
| 12.1 | The Company | 20 | ||
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 20 | ||
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 20 | ||
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 20 | ||
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 21 | ||
| 16. | NOTICES | 21 | ||
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 21 | ||
| 17.1 | Applicable law | 21 | ||
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 21 | ||
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FOREWORD
The Employee Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors held on 25 March 2020 in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The Employee Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the Employee Stock Option Plan at five thousand five hundred and forty-three (5,543) Options.
The Employee Stock Option Plan is set for an indefinite period of time. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the Employee Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another Employee Stock Option Plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
As far as certain categories of Beneficiaries are concerned, the Employee Stock Option Plan is issued in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Belgian law, dated 26 March 1999, (especially subpart VII thereof) regulating the shares with discount and stock options (article 41 through 47).
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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| 1. | DEFINITIONS |
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3. |
| Beneficiary | : | a key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company (it being understood that if such key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors would be a management company, the Options shall, at the election of the management company concerned, be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company) to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent). |
| Employee Stock Option Plan | : | the Employee Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
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| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Initial Public Offering or IPO | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganisation of the Company, (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets (including intellectual property rights) of the Company, (iv) any merger, consolidation or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) any other event in which the control of the Company is transferred or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
| Offer | : | the offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the letter attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a subscription rights (“inschrijvingsrecht” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the Employee Stock Option Plan, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the Employee Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the Employee Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
| Securities | : | shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or subscription rights), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or subscription rights attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right (“wettelijk voorkeurrecht” / “droit préférentiel de souscription”)). |
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| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Stock Option Act | : | the law of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions (as amended). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement as enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Subscription and Shareholders Agreement | : | the subscription and shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Key Founder, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 4 March 2019 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company in circumstances involving his/her being summarily dismissed by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct (“fraude” / “dol”), as far as related to the Company and as described in detail in the written termination notice from the Company to such Beneficiary and as having been confirmed by either the Beneficiary itself or by a final, binding and non-appealable judgement from a court having applicable jurisdiction, except as otherwise decided by the Board of Directors. |
| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, (i) within the first three (3) years or (ii) after three (3) years but without having given notice at least six (6) months before the intended leaving, after starting to providing services to the Company under his/her management agreement, employment agreement or other service agreement (as the case may be). |
| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
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| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS |
The Employee Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES |
The Employee Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS |
A maximum number of five thousand five hundred and forty-three (5,543) Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the Employee Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
| 5. | OPTIONS |
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary |
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
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| 5.2 | Nature of the Options |
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be numbered and registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
| 5.3 | Option Price |
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
| 5.4 | Term of Options |
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance, regardless the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option, which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and security |
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company that it controls at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5 will not be exercisable.
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| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS |
| 6.1 | Offer Date |
The Company will address each Beneficiary a customized Offer Letter for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
| 6.2 | Acceptance or refusal of the Offer |
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form (being sixty (60) days after the date of the Offer) to the registered seat of the Company.
The Offer of Options shall be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within sixty (60) days following the date of the Offer, without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
In case of absence of signature, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Agreement has to be handed over, duly completed and signed, simultaneously with the Answer Form, at the address mentioned on the Answer Form.
From a Belgian tax point of view, the Stock Option Act considers the Options as granted on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Offer, provided that the Beneficiary has notified in writing his intention to accept the Offer prior to the expiration of said term.
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations |
The acceptance of the Offer by the Beneficiary results in (i) the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary, and (ii) the adherence by the Beneficiary to the Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement in his/her capacity as a holder of Subscription Rights (as defined in the Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement).
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| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS |
| 7.1 | Exercise conditions |
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
| 7.2 | Exercise Price |
The Exercise Price equals the fair market value of the shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. This value is determined by the Company in accordance with the report of an auditor appointed by the Company for such purpose.
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise |
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods |
At least 75% of the Options will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer. |
| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer: vesting of 25 % of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised as of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
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The Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option |
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options |
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company.
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during the first valid exercise period after the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
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| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver |
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
| 7.6.4 | Termination |
When a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be), who is a Type B or Type C Leaver, ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, then such Beneficiary may be obliged, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to transfer but not sell, (i) all Shares held by such Type B or Type C Leaver and (ii) all Shares issued to the Type B or Type C Leaver pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options, within one month of, respectively, the leaving event, or the issuance of Shares pursuant to the exercise of Options, to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated at that time and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be) and to be controlled by the Company, and the Type B or Type C Leaver will be entitled to receive the proceeds from those Shares held in escrow by said holding structure, but all other rights (including voting rights) with respect to the Shares will vest in this holding structure/entity.
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions |
A Beneficiary who is willing to exercise his/her Options, shall specify at the occasion of the exercise the numbers of the Options he/she wishes to exercise. In case the Beneficiary does not specify the numbers, the Beneficiary shall be considered to exercise his/her Options in chronological order of their granting, starting with the oldest.
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered or (ii) be sent by registered letter.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
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| 7.8 | Payment conditions |
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form. The Beneficiary has sixty (60) calendar days from the date of sending of the Exercise Form to proceed with the payment.
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or IPO |
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations, the Options will, in case of a Liquidity Event or an IPO, be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company, respectively immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange.
The tax consequences of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options may not be exercised during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY |
In case of death of the Beneficiary, his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
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The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS |
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares |
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
| 9.2 | Rights attached to the Shares |
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares |
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS |
| 10.1 | Operation |
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and quality of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of subscription rights or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
| 10.2 | Adaptation |
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio number/value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio.
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| 10.3 | Notice |
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
| 11. | TAXATION AND BELGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY |
The Belgian Stock Option Act is applicable to employees, directors (individuals only) and independent service providers (individuals only) who are taxable in Belgium on their professional remuneration or on their profits and dividends. The Belgian Stock Option Act, and, in accordance, the Belgian taxation regime, is not applicable to (foreign) employees, directors (individuals only) and independent service providers (individuals only), who are taxable outside Belgium on their professional remuneration or on their profits and dividends.
This analysis is thus not applicable to directors (companies) and independent service providers (companies) who are taxable in or outside Belgium. This analysis is neither applicable to employees, directors or independent service providers who are not taxable in Belgium pursuant to Belgian law or treaties entered into by Belgium. The Beneficiaries must take advice from their tax counsel in order to determine how the Grant and exercise of Options will be taxed in or outside Belgium.
As regards social security obligations, only when specific conditions are met employees can be exempt from social security contributions. Such exemption does not apply to persons considered to be self-employed persons for social security purposes. An amount will be due by such self-employed persons pursuant to the Options to the extent the maximum amount of social security contributions has not been met.
In general, since the principles described below are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax consequences of the Grant or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for the declaration of the Options in their tax return. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
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| 11.1 | Taxation rules applicable to the Grant of Options |
The Options are governed by the following rules:
| 11.1.1 | Moment of taxation |
In accordance with the Stock Option Act, the Grant of Options is regarded as a benefit in kind for qualifying Beneficiaries, and are taxable at the time the Options are granted. This benefit in kind is taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, is subject to the wage withholding tax. The wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised.
From a tax point of view, the Stock Option Act regards the Options as granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer, provided that the Beneficiary has given written notice of his/her will to accept the Offer before expiration of said period. The acceptance of the Offer must be notified to the offering entity before expiration of the above mentioned sixty (60) day period. Consequently, from a tax point of view, the Options are regarded as being refused if the Offer has not been accepted within the prescribed period in writing as required by the Stock Option Act.
If the Options fall within the scope of the Stock Option Act, Belgian tax law currently does not tax the Beneficiary at the time of exercise and the gain realized upon the transfer of the Shares acquired through the exercise of Options will neither be taxed as professional income, as long as the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries.
| 11.1.2 | Taxable benefit |
The benefit, valued at a certain percentage (see below) of the fair market value of the Company’s shares at the time of the Offer, is part of the earned income of the Beneficiary and will be taxed at the applicable progressive rate of income tax (to be increased with the “municipal surcharges”, usually varying between five percent (5%) and eight percent (8%) of the federal income tax due).
Fair Market Value of the Shares
The value of the Shares to be taken into account for the computation of the taxable benefit is the fair market value at the time of the Offer. The Company shall provide an estimate of this value in the Offer Letter, without any formal guarantee in that respect. If the Exercise Price of the Option is below said value, at the time of the Offer, the difference comes on top of the taxable benefit as described here below.
Applicable Percentage
As a general rule, the applicable percentage is set at eighteen percent (18%) of the fair market value of the Shares, to be increased by one percent (1%) per year or part of year in the course of which the Option remains exercisable after five (5) years as of the day the Offer is made.
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Under certain conditions, the percentage referred to above is reduced to nine (9%), to be increased by 0.5% per year or part of year in the course of which the Option remains exercisable above a period of five (5) years starting the day the Offer is made.
In order to benefit from this reduced rate, the following conditions must be satisfied:
| 1. | The Exercise Price of the Options must be clearly determined at the time that the Offer is made. |
| 2. | The Option cannot be exercised either before the expiry of the third (3rd) calendar year following the year in the course of which the Offer is made, or after the expiry of the tenth (10th) year following the year in the course of which the Offer is made. |
| 3. | The Options cannot be assigned inter vivo. |
| 4. | The risk of decrease in the value of the Shares, subject-matter of the Option, cannot be insured whether directly or indirectly either by the grantor of the Option, nor by any related person. |
| 5. | The Option shall relate to Shares of the Company for the benefit of which the professional activity is exercised or shares of another company which directly or indirectly holds shares in the Company. |
If the Employee Stock Option Plan does not satisfy the second and/or third condition, discussed above, the Stock Option Act nevertheless authorizes the Beneficiary to undertake to satisfy these conditions so as to be entitled to benefit from the reduced tax rate.
In the case at hand, the Options are granted for a period of ten (10) years as of their issuance date, regardless the date of their Grant. The applicable percentage shall in principle be eleven and a half percent (11.5%) because the Options cannot be exercised before the end of the third (3rd) year following the year of the Offer.
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| 11.2 | Applicable taxation on Shares |
| 11.2.1 | Income tax |
Taxation on Dividends
Upon distribution of dividends to the Beneficiaries, the Company must in principle withhold thirty percent (30%) of the gross amount of the dividends.
Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the withholding tax rate can be reduced to twenty percent (20%) or fifteen percent (15%) provided that, inter alia, the dividends are taken from the profit distribution of the second financial year or subsequent financial years after the financial year of the contribution.
If the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries and the Belgian withholding tax on dividends has been withheld, the Beneficiaries do not have to include such dividends in their annual tax statement, but can if they so wish. If no Belgian withholding tax on dividends has been withheld, such dividends should in principle be included in the annual tax statement. Only the Beneficiaries who are subject to an aggregate tax rate equal to or less than thirty percent (30%) or the reduced withholding tax rate, if applicable, of their net income may benefit from including dividends on which Belgian withholding tax has been withheld in their annual tax statement. In such case, the dividends are subject to progressive income tax scales and the Belgian withholding tax can in principle (subject to specific conditions) be taken into account when calculating the amount of income tax due. As the case may be, the surplus will be reimbursed.
Taxes on gains
In principle, considering that the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries, individuals having their tax residence in Belgium need not pay Belgian income taxes on gains from the sale, exchange, purchase or other transfers of shares, except if they are the result of speculation or abnormal management of a private estate.
| 11.2.2 | Tax on stock exchange operations |
The Belgian tax on stock exchange operations is due on certain transactions agreed or performed in Belgium by a professional intermediary on public funds (i.e. securities tradable on a stock exchange).
Any sale or purchase of shares realized on a secondary market is subject to the tax on stock exchange operations at a rate of 0.35% of the sale or purchase price of the shares (with a maximum amount of EUR 1,600 per party and per transaction). This tax is due on each sale or purchase severally.
| 11.2.3 | Special tax regime for foreign executives |
In the event that the Beneficiary enjoys the special tax regime for foreign executives, this regime also applies to the benefit in kind arising from the Options. The taxable benefit resulting from the Grant of Options is reduced in accordance with the percentage of the travel exclusion.
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| 12. | EXPENSES |
| 12.1 | The Company |
Subject to Clause 11, all expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries |
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS |
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations in accordance with the Beneficiaries’ rights, without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against them five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES |
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have a significant impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the Employee Stock Option Plan.
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| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION |
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this Employee Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Employee Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
| 16. | NOTICES |
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the subscription rights register of the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION |
| 17.1 | Applicable law |
The Regulations, the Employee Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction |
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the Employee Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 1 – Offer Letter
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
The board of directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [·] Options at the exercise price of EUR [·] per Option.
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
For your information, please note that the value of the Shares which shall be taken into account to determine the amount of taxable income, in particular in order to determine the wage withholding tax to be withheld by the Company, equals EUR [·] (rounded) per Share to which the Option gives rise, it being EUR [·] per Option under the circumstances described under clause 11.1.2 of the Regulations, to the extent said hypothesis shall apply.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the board of directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV. Please note that failure to sign, to send the Answer Form or to send it late will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
| AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV | ||
| [·] | ||
| Read and approved | ||
| [·] |
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EXHIBIT 2 – Stock Option Agreement
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN: | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent).); | |
| duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [·]; | ||
| hereafter the Company, | ||
| AND: | [·], | |
| hereafter the Beneficiary, |
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created an Employee Stock Option Plan, the Employee Stock Option Plan – AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, in favor of the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary [, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Regulations and the provisions of the law of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions (the Stock Option Act)].
The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept these conditions.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the Employee Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
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THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
| 2. | The Company has offered [·] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Exercise Price is EUR [·] per Option. The Beneficiary will notify his/her acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
| 3. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Grant. |
Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows:
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer: vesting of 25 % of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
The Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
| 4. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 5. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be later limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
| 6. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full) within the period of sixty (60) days following the Offer, he/she can be liable for taxes on the value of these Options. |
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Done on in in duplicate, each party acknowledges having received its own original copy.
| The Company | The Beneficiary | |
25
EXHIBIT 3 – Answer Form
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned Employee Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her decision in respect of the Grant dated (DATE). He/She declares:
| – | to accept all the Options offered. |
| – | to accept out of the Options offered. |
| – | to refuse all the Options offered. |
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that:
| – | the acceptance of the Offer of Options constitutes a taxable benefit and that he/she will be liable for paying taxes on the Options; and |
| – | the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [·] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options. |
Done at on
Signature
| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [·] before [·], duly completed and signed. |
2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused.
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EXHIBIT 4 – Exercise Form
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of (DATE):
(NUMBER) Options, attributed on (DATE) at the Exercise Price of (AMOUNT) EUR = (AMOUNT) EUR
Total amount: EUR
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [·] (NUMBER) for value [·] (DATE) latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [·] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number (NUMBER)
Done at on
| Signature |
Please send this document by [·] at the latest to [·] duly completed and signed.
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Exhibit 10.4
FREE TRANSLATION
This document is drafted originally in Dutch. In the event of any discrepancies between the Dutch and English version of this document, the Dutch version shall prevail.
28 October 2020
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
– OCTOBER 2020
Regarding the grant of maximum eleven thousand eighty-two (11,082) Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 28 October 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 | |||
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 | ||
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 | ||
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5. | OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5.1 | Number of Options Per Beneficiary | 8 | ||
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options | 9 | ||
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 | ||
| 5.4 | Term of Options | 9 | ||
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and Security | 9 | ||
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 | ||
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 | ||
| 6.2 | Acceptance or Refusal of the Offer | 10 | ||
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations | 10 | ||
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 | ||
| 7.1 | Exercise Conditions | 11 | ||
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 | ||
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise | 11 | ||
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods | 11 | ||
| 7.5 | Number of Shares Per Option | 12 | ||
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the Right to Exercise the Options | 12 | ||
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 | ||
| 7.6.4 | Termination | 13 | ||
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 13 | ||
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 | ||
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or Ipo | 14 | ||
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 14 | ||
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 | ||
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.2 | Rights Attached to the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares | 15 | ||
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| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 15 | ||
| 10.1 | Operation | 15 | ||
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 15 | ||
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 | ||
| 11. | TAXATION AND BELGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY | 16 | ||
| 11.1 | Taxation Rules Applicable to the Grant of Options | 17 | ||
| 11.1.1 | Moment of taxation | 17 | ||
| 11.1.2 | Taxable benefit | 17 | ||
| 11.2 | Applicable Taxation On Shares | 19 | ||
| 11.2.1 | Income tax | 19 | ||
| 11.2.2 | Tax on stock exchange operations | 19 | ||
| 11.2.3 | Special tax regime for foreign executives | 19 | ||
| 12. | EXPENSES | 20 | ||
| 12.1 | The Company | 20 | ||
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 20 | ||
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 20 | ||
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 20 | ||
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 21 | ||
| 16. | NOTICES | 21 | ||
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 21 | ||
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 21 | ||
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 21 | ||
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FOREWORD
The Employee Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors held on 28 October 2020 in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The Employee Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the Employee Stock Option Plan at eleven thousand eighty-two (11.082) Options.
The Employee Stock Option Plan is set for an indefinite period of time. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the Employee Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another Employee Stock Option Plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
As far as certain categories of Beneficiaries are concerned, the Employee Stock Option Plan is issued in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Belgian law, dated 26 March 1999, (especially subpart VII thereof) regulating the shares with discount and stock options (article 41 through 47).
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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1. DEFINITIONS
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3. |
| Beneficiary | : | a key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company (it being understood that if such key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors would be a management company, the Options shall, at the election of the management company concerned, be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company) to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent). |
| Employee Stock Option Plan | : | the Employee Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
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| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Initial Public Offering or IPO | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganisation of the Company, (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets (including intellectual property rights) of the Company, (iv) any merger, consolidation or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) any other event in which the control of the Company is transferred or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
| Offer | : | the offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the Employee Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the letter attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a subscription rights (“inschrijvingsrecht” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the Employee Stock Option Plan, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the Employee Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the Employee Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
| Securities | : | shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or subscription rights), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or subscription rights attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right (“wettelijk voorkeurrecht” / “droit préférentiel de souscription”)). |
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| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Stock Option Act | : | the law of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions (as amended). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement as enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Subscription and Shareholders Agreement | : | the subscription and shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Key Founder, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 4 March 2019 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company in circumstances involving his/her being summarily dismissed by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct (“fraude” / “dol”), as far as related to the Company and as described in detail in the written termination notice from the Company to such Beneficiary and as having been confirmed by either the Beneficiary itself or by a final, binding and non-appealable judgement from a court having applicable jurisdiction, except as otherwise decided by the Board of Directors. |
| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, (i) within the first three (3) years or (ii) after three (3) years but without having given notice at least six (6) months before the intended leaving, after starting to providing services to the Company under his/her management agreement, employment agreement or other service agreement (as the case may be). |
| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
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| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS |
The Employee Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES |
The Employee Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS |
A maximum number of eleven thousand eighty-two (11.082) Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the Employee Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
| 5. | OPTIONS |
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary |
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
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| 5.2 | Nature of the Options |
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be numbered and registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
| 5.3 | Option Price |
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
| 5.4 | Term of Options |
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance, regardless the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option, which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and security |
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company that it controls at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5 will not be exercisable.
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| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS |
| 6.1 | Offer Date |
The Company will address each Beneficiary a customized Offer Letter for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
| 6.2 | Acceptance or refusal of the Offer |
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form (being sixty (60) days after the date of the Offer) to the registered seat of the Company.
The Offer of Options shall be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within sixty (60) days following the date of the Offer, without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
In case of absence of signature, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Agreement has to be handed over, duly completed and signed, simultaneously with the Answer Form, at the address mentioned on the Answer Form.
From a Belgian tax point of view, the Stock Option Act considers the Options as granted on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Offer, provided that the Beneficiary has notified in writing his intention to accept the Offer prior to the expiration of said term.
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations |
The acceptance of the Offer by the Beneficiary results in (i) the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary, and (ii) the adherence by the Beneficiary to the Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement in his/her capacity as a holder of Subscription Rights (as defined in the Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement).
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| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS |
| 7.1 | Exercise conditions |
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
| 7.2 | Exercise Price |
The Exercise Price equals the fair market value of the shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. This value is determined by the Company in accordance with the report of an auditor appointed by the Company for such purpose.
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise |
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods |
At least 75% of the Options will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
· The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer.
· Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows:
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer: vesting of 25 % of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised as of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
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The Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and | |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option |
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options |
7.6.1 Type C Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company.
7.6.2 Type B Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during the first valid exercise period after the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
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7.6.3 Type A Leaver
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
7.6.4 Termination
When a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be), who is a Type B or Type C Leaver, ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, then such Beneficiary may be obliged, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to transfer but not sell, (i) all Shares held by such Type B or Type C Leaver and (ii) all Shares issued to the Type B or Type C Leaver pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options, within one month of, respectively, the leaving event, or the issuance of Shares pursuant to the exercise of Options, to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated at that time and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be) and to be controlled by the Company, and the Type B or Type C Leaver will be entitled to receive the proceeds from those Shares held in escrow by said holding structure, but all other rights (including voting rights) with respect to the Shares will vest in this holding structure/entity.
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions |
A Beneficiary who is willing to exercise his/her Options, shall specify at the occasion of the exercise the numbers of the Options he/she wishes to exercise. In case the Beneficiary does not specify the numbers, the Beneficiary shall be considered to exercise his/her Options in chronological order of their granting, starting with the oldest.
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered or (ii) be sent by registered letter.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
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| 7.8 | Payment conditions |
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form. The Beneficiary has sixty (60) calendar days from the date of sending of the Exercise Form to proceed with the payment.
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or IPO |
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations, the (exercisable and non-exercisable) Options will, in case of a Liquidity Event or an IPO, be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company, respectively immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange.
The tax consequences of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options may not be exercised during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY |
In case of death of the Beneficiary, his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
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| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS |
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares |
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
| 9.2 | Rights attached to the Shares |
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares |
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS |
| 10.1 | Operation |
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and quality of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of subscription rights or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
| 10.2 | Adaptation |
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio number/value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio.
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| 10.3 | Notice |
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
| 11. | TAXATION AND BELGIAN SOCIAL SECURITY |
The Belgian Stock Option Act is applicable to employees, directors (individuals only) and independent service providers (individuals only) who are taxable in Belgium on their professional remuneration or on their profits and dividends. The Belgian Stock Option Act, and, in accordance, the Belgian taxation regime, is not applicable to (foreign) employees, directors (individuals only) and independent service providers (individuals only), who are taxable outside Belgium on their professional remuneration or on their profits and dividends.
This analysis is thus not applicable to directors (companies) and independent service providers (companies) who are taxable in or outside Belgium. This analysis is neither applicable to employees, directors or independent service providers who are not taxable in Belgium pursuant to Belgian law or treaties entered into by Belgium. The Beneficiaries must take advice from their tax counsel in order to determine how the Grant and exercise of Options will be taxed in or outside Belgium.
As regards social security obligations, only when specific conditions are met employees can be exempt from social security contributions. Such exemption does not apply to persons considered to be self-employed persons for social security purposes. An amount will be due by such self-employed persons pursuant to the Options to the extent the maximum amount of social security contributions has not been met.
In general, since the principles described below are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax consequences of the Grant or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for the declaration of the Options in their tax return. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
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| 11.1 | Taxation rules applicable to the Grant of Options |
The Options are governed by the following rules:
| 11.1.1 | Moment of taxation |
In accordance with the Stock Option Act, the Grant of Options is regarded as a benefit in kind for qualifying Beneficiaries, and are taxable at the time the Options are granted. This benefit in kind is taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, is subject to the wage withholding tax. The wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised.
From a tax point of view, the Stock Option Act regards the Options as granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer, provided that the Beneficiary has given written notice of his/her will to accept the Offer before expiration of said period. The acceptance of the Offer must be notified to the offering entity before expiration of the above mentioned sixty (60) day period. Consequently, from a tax point of view, the Options are regarded as being refused if the Offer has not been accepted within the prescribed period in writing as required by the Stock Option Act.
If the Options fall within the scope of the Stock Option Act, Belgian tax law currently does not tax the Beneficiary at the time of exercise and the gain realized upon the transfer of the Shares acquired through the exercise of Options will neither be taxed as professional income, as long as the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries.
| 11.1.2 | Taxable benefit |
The benefit, valued at a certain percentage (see below) of the fair market value of the Company’s shares at the time of the Offer, is part of the earned income of the Beneficiary and will be taxed at the applicable progressive rate of income tax (to be increased with the “municipal surcharges”, usually varying between five percent (5%) and eight percent (8%) of the federal income tax due).
Fair Market Value of the Shares
The value of the Shares to be taken into account for the computation of the taxable benefit is the fair market value at the time of the Offer. The Company shall provide an estimate of this value in the Offer Letter, without any formal guarantee in that respect. If the Exercise Price of the Option is below said value, at the time of the Offer, the difference comes on top of the taxable benefit as described here below.
Applicable Percentage
As a general rule, the applicable percentage is set at eighteen percent (18%) of the fair market value of the Shares, to be increased by one percent (1%) per year or part of year in the course of which the Option remains exercisable after five (5) years as of the day the Offer is made.
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Under certain conditions, the percentage referred to above is reduced to nine (9%), to be increased by 0.5% per year or part of year in the course of which the Option remains exercisable above a period of five (5) years starting the day the Offer is made.
In order to benefit from this reduced rate, the following conditions must be satisfied:
| 1. | The Exercise Price of the Options must be clearly determined at the time that the Offer is made. |
| 2. | The Option cannot be exercised either before the expiry of the third (3rd) calendar year following the year in the course of which the Offer is made, or after the expiry of the tenth (10th) year following the year in the course of which the Offer is made. |
| 3. | The Options cannot be assigned inter vivo. |
| 4. | The risk of decrease in the value of the Shares, subject-matter of the Option, cannot be insured whether directly or indirectly either by the grantor of the Option, nor by any related person. |
| 5. | The Option shall relate to Shares of the Company for the benefit of which the professional activity is exercised or shares of another company which directly or indirectly holds shares in the Company. |
If the Employee Stock Option Plan does not satisfy the second and/or third condition, discussed above, the Stock Option Act nevertheless authorizes the Beneficiary to undertake to satisfy these conditions so as to be entitled to benefit from the reduced tax rate.
In the case at hand, the Options are granted for a period of ten (10) years as of their issuance date, regardless the date of their Grant. The applicable percentage shall in principle be eleven and a half percent (11.5%) because the Options cannot be exercised before the end of the third (3rd) year following the year of the Offer.
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| 11.2 | Applicable taxation on Shares |
| 11.2.1 | Income tax |
Taxation on Dividends
Upon distribution of dividends to the Beneficiaries, the Company must in principle withhold thirty percent (30%) of the gross amount of the dividends.
Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the withholding tax rate can be reduced to twenty percent (20%) or fifteen percent (15%) provided that, inter alia, the dividends are taken from the profit distribution of the second financial year or subsequent financial years after the financial year of the contribution.
If the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries and the Belgian withholding tax on dividends has been withheld, the Beneficiaries do not have to include such dividends in their annual tax statement, but can if they so wish. If no Belgian withholding tax on dividends has been withheld, such dividends should in principle be included in the annual tax statement. Only the Beneficiaries who are subject to an aggregate tax rate equal to or less than thirty percent (30%) or the reduced withholding tax rate, if applicable, of their net income may benefit from including dividends on which Belgian withholding tax has been withheld in their annual tax statement. In such case, the dividends are subject to progressive income tax scales and the Belgian withholding tax can in principle (subject to specific conditions) be taken into account when calculating the amount of income tax due. As the case may be, the surplus will be reimbursed.
Taxes on gains
In principle, considering that the Shares are part of the private estate of the Beneficiaries, individuals having their tax residence in Belgium need not pay Belgian income taxes on gains from the sale, exchange, purchase or other transfers of shares, except if they are the result of speculation or abnormal management of a private estate.
| 11.2.2 | Tax on stock exchange operations |
The Belgian tax on stock exchange operations is due on certain transactions agreed or performed in Belgium by a professional intermediary on public funds (i.e. securities tradable on a stock exchange).
Any sale or purchase of shares realized on a secondary market is subject to the tax on stock exchange operations at a rate of 0.35% of the sale or purchase price of the shares (with a maximum amount of EUR 1,600 per party and per transaction). This tax is due on each sale or purchase severally.
| 11.2.3 | Special tax regime for foreign executives |
In the event that the Beneficiary enjoys the special tax regime for foreign executives, this regime also applies to the benefit in kind arising from the Options. The taxable benefit resulting from the Grant of Options is reduced in accordance with the percentage of the travel exclusion.
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| 12. | EXPENSES |
| 12.1 | The Company |
Subject to Clause 11, all expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries |
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS |
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations in accordance with the Beneficiaries’ rights, without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against them five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES |
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have a significant impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the Employee Stock Option Plan.
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| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION |
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this Employee Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Employee Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
| 16. | NOTICES |
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the subscription rights register of the Company, or to the e-mail address provided by them to the Company (cf. article 2:32 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code). Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION |
| 17.1 | Applicable law |
The Regulations, the Employee Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction |
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the Employee Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 1 – Offer Letter
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
The board of directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [·] Options at the exercise price of EUR [·] per Option.
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
For your information, please note that the value of the Shares which shall be taken into account to determine the amount of taxable income, in particular in order to determine the wage withholding tax to be withheld by the Company, equals EUR [·] (rounded) per Share to which the Option gives rise, it being EUR [·] per Option under the circumstances described under clause 11.1.2 of the Regulations, to the extent said hypothesis shall apply.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the board of directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV. Please note that failure to sign, to send the Answer Form or to send it late will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| [·] | ||
| Read and approved | ||
| [·] | ||
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EXHIBIT 2 – Stock Option Agreement
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN : | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent).); |
duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [·]; hereafter the Company,
| AND: | [·], |
hereafter the Beneficiary,
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created an Employee Stock Option Plan, the Employee Stock Option Plan —AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, in favor of the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary [, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Regulations and the provisions of the law of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions (the Stock Option Act)].
The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept these conditions.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the Employee Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
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THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
| 2. | The Company has offered [·] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Exercise Price is EUR [·] per Option. The Beneficiary will notify his/her acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
| 3. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Grant. |
Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows:
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer: vesting of 25 % of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
The Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
| 4. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 5. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be later limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
| 6. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full) within the period of sixty (60) days following the Offer, he/she can be liable for taxes on the value of these Options. |
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Done on in in duplicate, each party acknowledges having received its own original copy.
| The Company | The Beneficiary | |
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EXHIBIT 3 – Answer Form
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned Employee Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her decision in respect of the Grant dated (DATE). He/She declares:
| - | to accept all the Options offered. |
| - | to accept out of the Options offered. |
| - | to refuse all the Options offered. |
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that:
| - | the acceptance of the Offer of Options constitutes a taxable benefit and that he/she will be liable for paying taxes on the Options; and |
| - | the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [·] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options. |
[The undersigned hereby informs the Company of the following e-mail address at which the Company can communicate with him/her at any time:
Any communication made at this e-mail address shall be deemed valid. The Company may use this address until the communication by the undersigned of another e-mail address or of his/her wish not to communicate by e-mail anymore (cfr. article 2:32 of the Companies and Associations Code)].
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Done at on
| Signature | |
| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [·] before [·], duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 4 – Exercise Form
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of (DATE):
(NUMBER) Options, attributed on (DATE) at the Exercise Price of (AMOUNT) EUR = (AMOUNT) EUR
Total amount: EUR
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [·] (NUMBER) for value [·] (DATE) latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [·] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number (NUMBER)
Done at on
| Signature |
Please send this document by [·] at the latest to [·] duly completed and signed.
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Exhibit 10.5
5 March 2021
GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN
Regarding the grant of maximum seventy-one thousand eight hundred and eight (71,808) Options to
the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 5 March 2021
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 | |||
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 | ||
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 | ||
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5. | OPTIONS | 9 | ||
| 5.1 | Number of Options Per Beneficiary | 9 | ||
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options | 9 | ||
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 | ||
| 5.4 | Term of Options | 9 | ||
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and Security | 9 | ||
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 | ||
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 | ||
| 6.2 | Acceptance or Refusal of the Offer | 10 | ||
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations | 10 | ||
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 | ||
| 7.1 | Exercise Conditions | 11 | ||
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 | ||
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise | 11 | ||
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods | 11 | ||
| 7.5 | Number of Shares Per Option | 12 | ||
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the Right to Exercise the Options | 12 | ||
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 | ||
| 7.6.4 | Holding | 13 | ||
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 13 | ||
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 | ||
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or Ipo | 14 | ||
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 14 | ||
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 | ||
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.2 | Rights Attached to the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares | 15 | ||
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| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 15 | ||
| 10.1 | Operation | 15 | ||
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 16 | ||
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 | ||
| 11. | TAXES | 16 | ||
| 12. | EXPENSES | 17 | ||
| 12.1 | The Company | 17 | ||
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 17 | ||
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 17 | ||
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 17 | ||
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 18 | ||
| 16. | NOTICES | 18 | ||
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 18 | ||
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 18 | ||
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 18 | ||
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FOREWORD
The Global Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors held on 5 March 2021 in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The Global Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the Global Stock Option Plan at seventy-one thousand eight hundred and eight (71,808) Options.
The Global Stock Option Plan is set for an indefinite period of time. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the Global Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another Global Stock Option Plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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1. DEFINITIONS
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3. |
| Beneficiary | : | a key manager, employee, director and/or outside consultant and/or advisor of the Company (it being understood that if such key manager, employee, director and/or outside consultant and/or advisor would be a management company, the Options shall, at the election of the management company concerned, be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company) to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent). |
| Controlling Interest | : | means an interest in shares giving to the holder or holders control of the Company within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
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| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the Global Stock Option Plan, as determined in the Stock Option Agreement. |
Global Stock Option Plan |
: | the Global Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Initial Public | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Offering or IPO | ||
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganisation of the Company, (iii) the disposal by the Company of all or substantially all of its undertaking and assets (which disposal may include, without limitation, the grant by the Company of an exclusive licence of intellectual property not entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) any merger, consolidation or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) the sale of all or such number of the shares of the company that results in any person acquiring a Controlling Interest in the company or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
| Offer | : | the offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the letter attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a subscription right (“inschrijvingsrecht” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the Global Stock Option Plan, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the Global Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the Global Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
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| Securities | : | shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or subscription rights), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or subscription rights attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right (“wettelijk voorkeurrecht”/“droit preferentiel de souscription”)). |
| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Shareholders Agreement | : | the shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 5 March 2021 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement as enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company in circumstances involving his/her being summarily dismissed by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct (“fraude” / “dol”), as far as related to the Company and as described in detail in the written termination notice from the Company to such Beneficiary and as having been confirmed by either the Beneficiary itself or by a final, binding and non-appealable judgement from a court having applicable jurisdiction, except as otherwise decided by the Board of Directors. |
| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, (i) within the first three (3) years or (ii) after three (3) years but without having given notice at least six (6) months before the intended leaving, after starting to providing services to the Company under his/her management agreement, employment agreement or other service agreement (as the case may be). |
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| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
2. GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS
The Global Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
3. BENEFICIARIES
The Global Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
4. NUMBER OF OPTIONS
A maximum number of seventy-one thousand eight hundred and eight (71,808) Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the Global Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
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5. OPTIONS
5.1 Number of Options per Beneficiary
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
5.2 Nature of the Options
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be numbered and registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
5.3 Option Price
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
5.4 Term of Options
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance, regardless the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option, which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
5.5 Non-transferability and security
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company that it controls at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
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The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5 will not be exercisable.
6. OFFER OF OPTIONS
6.1 Offer Date
The Company will address each Beneficiary a customized Offer Letter for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
6.2 Acceptance or refusal of the Offer
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form to the registered seat of the Company.
The Offer of Options shall, in any case, be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within sixty (60) days following the date of the Offer, without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
In case of absence of signature, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Stock Option Agreement has to be handed over, duly completed and signed, simultaneously with the Answer Form, at the address mentioned on the Answer Form.
6.3 Acceptance of the Regulations
The acceptance of the Offer by the Beneficiary results in the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary.
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7. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
7.1 Exercise conditions
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
7.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price of the Options shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and mentioned in the individual Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the Beneficiary.
7.3 Consequences of the Exercise
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
7.4 Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods
At least 75% of the Options will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the vested Options may be exercised as of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in these Regulations or the Stock Option Agreement, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
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- 15 June to 30 June; and
- 15 October to 31 October.
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
7.5 Number of Shares per Option
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
7.6 Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options
7.6.1 Type C Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company.
7.6.2 Type B Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, during the first valid exercise period after the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
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7.6.3 Type A Leaver
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company.
7.6.4 Holding
A Beneficiary can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be), so that such person will keep the economic rights, if any, attached to such Options and/or Shares, but all other rights (including voting rights), if any, will vest in this structure / entity.
By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor with such transaction, to the extent applicable.
7.7 Exercise Conditions
A Beneficiary who is willing to exercise his/her Options, shall specify at the occasion of the exercise the numbers of the Options he/she wishes to exercise. In case the Beneficiary does not specify the numbers, the Beneficiary shall be considered to exercise his/her Options in chronological order of their granting, starting with the oldest.
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered, (ii) be sent by email or (ii) be sent by registered letter.
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The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
7.8 Payment conditions
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form. The Beneficiary has sixty (60) calendar days from the date of sending of the Exercise Form to proceed with the payment.
7.9 Liquidity Event or IPO
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations, the (vested and non-vested) Options will, in case of a Liquidity Event or an IPO, be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company, respectively immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange.
The tax consequences, if any, of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options may not be exercised during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
8. DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY
In case of death of the Beneficiary, his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries.
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The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
9. NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
9.1 Nature of the Shares
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
9.2 Rights attached to the Shares
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
9.3 Transferability of the Shares
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
10. AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS
10.1 Operation
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and quality of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of subscription rights or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
The holder of Options shall not be entitled to exercise his/her Options in case of a capital increase in cash in the Company, in accordance with Article 7:71 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations.
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10.2 Adaptation
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio number/value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio.
10.3 Notice
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
11. TAXES
The Beneficiary shall be solely liable for and undertakes to pay any income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest due by the Beneficiary in connection with the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option, or the acquisition, holding or transfer of the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Options.
Pursuant to applicable laws, the grant of an Option can be considered as a benefit in kind and such benefit in kind can be taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, is subject to the wage withholding tax. The wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised
Pursuant to applicable laws, the Company (including, for purposes of this paragraph, an Affiliate) may be required to collect income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest, upon the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option. The Company may require, as a condition to the grant or exercise of an Option, or at such other time as it may consider appropriate, that the Beneficiary pays the Company the amount of any taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest which the Company may determine is required to be withheld or collected, and that the Beneficiary shall comply with the requirement or demand of the Company. In its discretion, the Company may withhold Shares to be received upon exercise of the Option if it deems this an appropriate method for withholding or collecting taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest.
In general, since the principles described below are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax consequences of the grant or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for the declaration of the Options in their tax return. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
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12. EXPENSES
12.1 The Company
Subject to Clause 11, all expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
12.2 The Beneficiaries
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
13. ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations in accordance with the Beneficiaries’ rights, without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against them five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
14. INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have an impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the Global Stock Option Plan.
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15. NULLITY OF A PROVISION
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this Global Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Global Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
16. NOTICES
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the subscription rights register of the Company, or to the e-mail address provided by them to the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
17. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
17.1 Applicable law
The Regulations, the Global Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
17.2 Jurisdiction
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the Global Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 1 – Offer Letter
GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [·] Options at the exercise price of EUR [·] per Option.
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the Board of Directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV. Please note that failure to sign, to send the Answer Form or to send it late will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| [·] |
| Read and approved | |
| [·] |
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EXHIBIT 2 – Stock Option Agreement
GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN : | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent).); |
duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [·];
hereafter the Company,
| AND: | [·], |
hereafter the Beneficiary,
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created a Global Stock Option Plan, “THE GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN – AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV”, in favor of key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary.
The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept these conditions.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the Global Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
| 2. | The Company has offered [·] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Beneficiary will notify his/her acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
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| 3. | Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Exercise Price is EUR 0,01 per Option. With respect to the Beneficiaries which are Belgian tax residents, the Exercise Price shall be determined by the Board of Directors at the fair market value of the Shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. |
| 4. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows:
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first twelve (12) months of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2,083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
[The vested Options may be exercised of the third (3rd) anniversary following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.]
Unless otherwise determined in the Regulations, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
| 5. | The Options are subject to the Type A Leaver, Type B Leaver and Type C Leaver provisions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Regulations. |
| 6. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be later limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
| 8. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that he/she can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be).
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By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor with such transaction, to the extent applicable.
| 9. | The Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor with such transaction, to the extent applicable. |
| 10. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full) within the period of sixty (60) days following the Offer, he/she can be liable for taxes on the value of these Options. |
| 11. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that (i) any convocation to a general meeting of shareholders of the Company addressed to the Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, as well as (ii) any notice in connection with this Agreement, shall be validly given to the Beneficiary, in accordance with Article 2:32 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, if sent by email to the following email address: |
[E-mail address].
| 12. | [Insertion of specific clauses related to the (tax) treatment of the Options in connection with the country of which the Beneficiary is a tax resident.] |
Done on in in duplicate, each party acknowledges having received its own original copy.
| The Company | The Beneficiary | ||
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EXHIBIT 3 – Answer Form
GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned Global Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her decision in respect of the Grant dated (DATE). He/She declares:
| - | to accept all the Options offered. |
| - | to accept out of the Options offered. |
| - | to refuse all the Options offered. |
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [·] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options.
Done at on
| Signature | |
| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [·] before [·], duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 4 – Exercise Form
GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of (DATE):
(NUMBER) Options, attributed on (DATE) at the Exercise Price of (AMOUNT) EUR = (AMOUNT) EUR
Total amount: EUR
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [·] (NUMBER) for value [·] (DATE) latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [·] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number (NUMBER)
Done at on
| Signature |
Please send this document by [·] at the latest to [·] duly completed and signed.
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Exhibit 10.6
28 June 2022
2022 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN
Regarding the grant of maximum
41,998 (forty-one thousand nine hundred ninety-eight) Options to the
key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 23 June 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 |
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 | ||
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 | ||
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5. | OPTIONS | 9 | ||
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary | 9 | ||
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options | 9 | ||
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 | ||
| 5.4 | Term of Options | 9 | ||
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and security | 9 | ||
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 | ||
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 | ||
| 6.2 | Acceptance or refusal of the Offer | 10 | ||
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations | 11 | ||
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 | ||
| 7.1 | Exercise conditions | 11 | ||
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 | ||
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise | 11 | ||
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods | 11 | ||
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option | 12 | ||
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options | 12 | ||
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 | ||
| 7.6.4 | Holding | 13 | ||
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 14 | ||
| 7.8 | Payment conditions | 14 | ||
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or Ipo | 14 | ||
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 15 | ||
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 | ||
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.2 | Rights Attached to the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares | 15 | ||
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| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 15 | ||
| 10.1 | Operation | 15 | ||
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 16 | ||
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 | ||
| 11. | TAXES | 16 | ||
| 12. | EXPENSES | 17 | ||
| 12.1 | The Company | 17 | ||
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 17 | ||
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 17 | ||
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 17 | ||
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 18 | ||
| 16. | NOTICES | 18 | ||
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 18 | ||
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 18 | ||
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 18 | ||
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FOREWORD
The 2022 Global Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors held on 23 June 2022 and the Company’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on 28 June 2022, in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and/or its Affiliates, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The 2022 Global Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly the Beneficiaries may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan at 41,998 Options.
The 2022 Global Stock Option Plan is set for a definite period of ten (10) years as of the issuance of the Options. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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| 1. | DEFINITIONS |
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3. |
| Belgian Code of Companies and Associations | : | means the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations of 23 March 2019 (as amended from time to time). |
| Beneficiary | : | a key manager, employee, director and/or outside consultant and/or advisor of the Company or the Company’s Affiliates (it being understood that if such key manager, director and/or outside consultant and/or advisor would be a management company, the Options shall be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company) to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent). |
| Controlling Interest | : | means an interest in shares giving to the holder or holders control of the Company within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
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| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan, as determined in the 2022 Stock Option Agreement. |
| 2022 Global Stock Option Plan | : | the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Initial Public Offering or IPO | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganisation of the Company, (iii) the disposal by the Company of all or substantially all of its undertaking and assets (which disposal may include, without limitation, the grant by the Company of an exclusive licence of intellectual property not entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) any merger, consolidation or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) the sale of all or such number of the shares of the company that results in any person acquiring a Controlling Interest in the company or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
| Offer | : | the offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the letter attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a subscription right (“inschrijvingsrecht” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan, and the specific terms set out in the 2022 Stock Option Agreement, if any, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
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Regulations |
: | the present regulations of the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
| Securities | : | shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or subscription rights), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or subscription rights attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right (“wettelijk voorkeurrecht”/“droit préférentiel de souscription”)). |
| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Shareholders Agreement | : | the shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 5 March 2021 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement as enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) in circumstances involving his/her being summarily dismissed by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct (“fraude” / “dol” / “despido disciplinario procedente”), as far as related to the Company or any of its Affiliates and as described in detail in the written termination notice from the Company or any of its Affiliates to such Beneficiary and as having been confirmed by either the Beneficiary itself or by a final, binding and non-appealable judgement from a court having applicable jurisdiction, except as otherwise decided by the Board of Directors. |
| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, (i) within the first three (3) years or (ii) after three (3) years but without having given the legally required notice (or, for the senior management, at least six (6) months) before the intended leaving, after starting to provide services to the Company and/or its Affiliates under his/her management agreement, employment agreement or other service agreement (as the case may be). |
| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
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| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS |
The 2022 Global Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES |
The 2022 Global Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company (or any of its Affiliates) and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS |
A maximum number of 41,998 Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
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| 5. | OPTIONS |
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary |
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options |
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
| 5.3 | Option Price |
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
| 5.4 | Term of Options |
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance (i.e. 28 June 2022), regardless of the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and security |
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company that it controls at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
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The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5 will not be exercisable.
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS |
| 6.1 | Offer Date |
The Company will address each Beneficiary a duly dated and executed customized Offer Letter, containing all material terms and conditions, for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
| 6.2 | Acceptance or refusal of the Offer |
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form.
The Offer of Options shall, in any case, be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within the acceptance period indicated in the Offer Letter (which shall not exceed 75 calendar days as from the date of the Offer), without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right. If the Beneficiary accepts the Offer in writing in whole or in part within sixty (60) calendar days following the date of the Offer, the portion of the Options that has been accepted in writing within such a time frame shall be deemed to have been Granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer for Belgian tax purposes, in line with applicable regulations.
In case of absence of signature, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Stock Option Agreement has to be duly completed and signed, simultaneously with the Answer Form.
If an Option is refused, it shall be deemed never to have been granted to the person and the so refused Options shall remain available to the Company for any further grants to other Beneficiaries.
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| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations |
The acceptance of the Offer by the Beneficiary results in the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary.
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS |
| 7.1 | Exercise conditions |
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
| 7.2 | Exercise Price |
The Exercise Price of the Options shall be determined by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the statutory auditor, and mentioned in the individual Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the Beneficiary.
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise |
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods |
At least 75% of the total amount of Options offered under this 2022 Global Stock Option Plan will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
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Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in these Regulations or the Stock Option Agreement, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option |
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options |
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates.
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
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The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her Options which are vested at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, during the first valid exercise period after the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver |
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
| 7.6.4 | Holding |
A Beneficiary can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be), so that such person will keep the economic rights, if any, attached to such Options and/or Shares, but all other rights (including voting rights), if any, will vest in this structure / entity.
By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor of such transaction, to the extent applicable.
Each Beneficiary accepts that any tax consequences resulting from the application of this Clause 7.6.4, if any, will be borne exclusively by the Beneficiary.
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| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions |
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered, (ii) be sent by email or (ii) be sent by registered letter.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
| 7.8 | Payment conditions |
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form.
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or IPO |
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations, the (vested and non-vested) Options will, in case of a Liquidity Event or an IPO, be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company, respectively immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange.
The tax consequences, if any, of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the exercise of his/her Options may not be sold during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
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| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY |
In case of death of the Beneficiary, his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries who are Type C Leavers.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS |
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares |
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
| 9.2 | Rights attached to the Shares |
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares |
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS |
| 10.1 | Operation |
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and nature of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of subscription rights or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
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The holder of Options shall not be entitled to exercise his/her Options in case of a capital increase in cash in the Company, in accordance with Article 7:71 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations.
| 10.2 | Adaptation |
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio number/value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio.
| 10.3 | Notice |
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
| 11. | TAXES |
The Beneficiary shall be solely liable for and undertakes to pay any income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest due by the Beneficiary in connection with the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option, or the acquisition, holding or transfer of the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Options.
If according to applicable local laws, the grant of an Option or the exercise of the Option is to be considered as a benefit in kind, such benefit in kind should be taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, should be subject to the wage withholding tax and reporting. If so provided by applicable local laws, the wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised
Pursuant to applicable laws, the Company (including, for purposes of this paragraph, an Affiliate) may be required to collect income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest, upon the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option. The Company may require, as a condition to the grant or exercise of an Option, or at such other time as it may consider appropriate, that the Beneficiary pays the Company the amount of any taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest which the Company may determine is required to be withheld or collected, and that the Beneficiary shall comply with the requirement or demand of the Company. In its discretion, the Company may withhold Shares to be received upon exercise of the Option if it deems this an appropriate method for withholding or collecting taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest.
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In general, since the principles described above are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax consequences of the grant or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for the declaration of the Options in their tax return. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
| 12. | EXPENSES |
| 12.1 | The Company |
Subject to Clause 11, all expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries |
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS |
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations in accordance with the Beneficiaries’ rights, without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against them five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES |
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have an impact on their estate.
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The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan.
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION |
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this 2022 Global Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this 2022 Global Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
| 16. | NOTICES |
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the subscription rights register of the Company, or to the e-mail address provided by them to the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION |
| 17.1 | Applicable law |
The Regulations, the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction |
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 1 – Offer Letter
2022 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [·] Options at the exercise price of EUR [·] per Option,which will vest as per the following schedule
[·]
and with a term expiring on [·].
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the Board of Directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV by [·] at the latest. Please note that failure to sign or to send the Answer Form or sending it late will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[·]
| Read and approved | |
| [·] |
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EXHIBIT 2 – Stock Option Agreement
2022 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN : | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, an open limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (LER Ghent, division Ghent).); |
duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [·];
hereafter the Company,
| AND: | [·] |
hereafter the Beneficiary,
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created a 2022 Global Stock Option Plan, “THE 2022 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN – AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV”, in favor of key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates, a copy of which is annexed to this Stock Option Agreement.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary. The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept the Regulations.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
| 2. | The Company has offered [·] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Beneficiary will notify his/her acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
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| 3. | Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Exercise Price is EUR 0.01 per Option. With respect to the Beneficiaries which are Belgian tax residents, the Exercise Price shall be determined by the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the statutory auditor, at the fair market value of the Shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. |
| 4. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows:
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the remaining Options per month). |
The vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in the Regulations, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
| 5. | The Options are subject to the Type A Leaver, Type B Leaver and Type C Leaver provisions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Regulations. |
| 6. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be later limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
| 8. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
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The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that he/she can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be).
By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor with such transaction, to the extent applicable.
| 9. | The 2022 Global Stock Option Plan and the resulting potential Option was granted by the Company on an extraordinary basis and, therefore, cannot be consolidated; it is not taken into consideration for the calculation of any other type of remuneration or voluntary Social Security improvement systems implemented by the Company or any Affiliate; it shall not be taken into account for the calculation of any compensation/ severance pay to which the Beneficiary is entitled as a result of the termination of his/her employment or service contract; nor can it be understood, under any circumstances, to be a condition with benefits in favor of the Beneficiary in the future. |
| 10. | The 2022 Global Stock Option Plan does not grant any Beneficiary the right to keep their employment at the Company or the relevant Affiliate The rights and obligations of the Beneficiary under the terms and conditions of their contract of employment or service contract shall not be affected by their participation in the 2022 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| 11. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full), he/she can be liable for social security contributions and taxes relating to the Grant and/or exercise of these Options pursuant to applicable local laws. |
| 12. | [The Beneficiary undertakes that he/she/it shall not exercise the Options before [·] nor transfer the Options. This undertaking is made pursuant to article 43 of the Belgian Act of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions, as amended from time to time, with a view to obtaining the reduced lump sum valuation percentage of [·]% of the value of the Shares underlying the award at the time of grant. |
In case the Beneficiary would not live up to this undertaking, the Beneficiary acknowledges and agrees that this will trigger a second taxable moment and that he/she/it shall be liable for all ensuing taxes pursuant to applicable local laws.] [Wording for Belgian individuals/tax residents.]
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| 13. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that (i) any convocation to a general meeting of shareholders of the Company addressed to the Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, as well as (ii) any notice in connection with this Agreement, shall be validly given to the Beneficiary, in accordance with Article 2:32 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, if sent by email to the following email address: |
[E-mail address].
| 14. | [Insertion of specific clauses related to the (tax) treatment of the Options in connection with the country of which the Beneficiary is a tax resident.] |
Done on
| The Company | The Beneficiary | |
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EXHIBIT 3 – Answer Form
2022 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned 2022 Global Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her decision in respect of the Grant dated (DATE). He/She declares:
Please tick ONE option
- to accept all the Options offered.
- to accept out of the Options offered.
- to refuse all the Options offered.
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [·] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options.
Done on
Signature
| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [·] before [·], duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 4 – Exercise Form
2022 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of (DATE):
(NUMBER) Options, attributed on (DATE) at the Exercise Price of (AMOUNT) EUR = (AMOUNT) EUR
| Total amount: EUR |
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [·] (NUMBER) for value [·] (DATE) latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [·] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number (NUMBER)
Done at on
Signature
Please send this document by [·] at the latest to [·] duly completed and signed.
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Exhibit 10.7
10 October 2023
2023 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN
Regarding the grant of maximum ninety-six thousand nine hundred ninety-seven (96,997) Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 6 October 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 | |||
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 | ||
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 | ||
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
| 5. | OPTIONS | 9 | ||
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary | 9 | ||
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options | 9 | ||
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 | ||
| 5.4 | Term of Options | 9 | ||
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and security | 9 | ||
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 | ||
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 | ||
| 6.2 | Acceptance or refusal of the Offer | 10 | ||
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations | 11 | ||
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 | ||
| 7.1 | Exercise conditions | 11 | ||
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 | ||
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise | 11 | ||
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods | 11 | ||
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option | 12 | ||
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options | 12 | ||
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 | ||
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 13 | ||
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 | ||
| 7.6.4 | Holding | 13 | ||
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 14 | ||
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 | ||
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event or Ipo | 14 | ||
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 15 | ||
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 | ||
| 9.1 | Nature of the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.2 | Rights Attached to the Shares | 15 | ||
| 9.3 | Transferability of the Shares | 15 | ||
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| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 16 | ||
| 10.1 | Operation | 16 | ||
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 16 | ||
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 | ||
| 11. | TAXES | 16 | ||
| 12. | EXPENSES | 17 | ||
| 12.1 | The Company | 17 | ||
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 17 | ||
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 18 | ||
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 18 | ||
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 18 | ||
| 16. | NOTICES | 18 | ||
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 19 | ||
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 19 | ||
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 19 | ||
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FOREWORD
The 2023 Global Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors held on 6 October 2023 and the Company’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on 10 October 2023, in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and/or its Affiliates, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The 2023 Global Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly the Beneficiaries may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan at 96,997 Options.
The 2023 Global Stock Option Plan is set for a definite period of ten (10) years as of the issuance of the Options. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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1. DEFINITIONS
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3. |
| Belgian Code of Companies and Associations | means the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations of 23 March 2019 (as amended from time to time). | |
| Beneficiary | : | a key manager, employee, director and/or outside consultant and/or advisor of the Company or the Company’s Affiliates (it being understood that if such key manager, director and/or outside consultant and/or advisor would be a management company, the Options shall be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (RLE Ghent, division Ghent). |
| Controlling Interest | : | means an interest in shares giving to the holder or holders control of the Company within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
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| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan, as determined in the 2023 Stock Option Agreement. |
2023 Global Stock Option Plan |
: | the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Initial Public Offering or IPO | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganisation of the Company, (iii) the disposal or other disposition by the Company and / any of its subsidiaries of all or substantially all of its undertaking and assets (which disposal may include, without limitation, the grant by the Company of an exclusive licence of intellectual property not entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) any merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) the sale of (or the grant of a right to acquire or to dispose of) any shares of the Company (in one transaction or as a series of transactions) that results in the purchaser of those shares (or grantee of that right) and persons acting jointly with him acquiring a Controlling Interest in the Company (which, for the sake of completeness does not include a Holding Company Reorganisation (as defined in the articles of association of the Company) or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
| Offer | : | the written and dated offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the letter attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a subscription right (“inschrijvingsrecht” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan, and the specific terms set out in the 2023 Stock Option Agreement, if any, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
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| Securities | : | shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or subscription rights), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or subscription rights attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right (“wettelijk voorkeurrecht” / “droit préférentiel de souscription”)). |
| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Shareholders Agreement | : | the shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 10 October 2023 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement as enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) in circumstances involving his/her/it being summarily dismissed by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct, and, specifically, as far as an employee Beneficiary is concerned, by reason of serious cause (“fraude” / “dol” / “despido disciplinario procedente” / “dringende reden” / “motif grave”). |
| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) voluntarily or as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or his/her management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, within the first three (3) years after the date of sending of the Offer Letter addressed to such Beneficiary. |
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| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
2. GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS
The 2023 Global Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
3. BENEFICIARIES
The 2023 Global Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company (or any of its Affiliates) and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
4. NUMBER OF OPTIONS
A maximum number of 96,997 Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
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5. OPTIONS
5.1 Number of Options per Beneficiary
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
5.2 Nature of the Options
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
5.3 Option Price
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
5.4 Term of Options
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance (i.e. on or around 10 October 2033), regardless of the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
5.5 Non-transferability and security
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company that it controls at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
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The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5 will not be exercisable.
6. OFFER OF OPTIONS
6.1 Offer Date
The Company will address each Beneficiary a duly dated and executed customized Offer Letter, containing all material terms and conditions, for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
6.2 Acceptance or refusal of the Offer
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her/its decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form.
The Offer of Options shall, in any case, be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within the acceptance period indicated in the Offer Letter (which shall not exceed 75 calendar days as from the date of the Offer), without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right. If the Beneficiary accepts the Offer in writing in whole or in part within sixty (60) calendar days following the date of the Offer, the portion of the Options that has been accepted in writing within such a time frame shall be deemed to have been Granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer for Belgian tax purposes, in line with applicable regulations.
In case of absence of signature, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Stock Option Agreement has to be duly completed and signed, simultaneously with the Answer Form.
If an Option is refused, it shall be deemed never to have been granted to the person and the so refused Options shall remain available to the Company for any further grants to other Beneficiaries.
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6.3 Acceptance of the Regulations
The acceptance of the Offer by the Beneficiary results in the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary.
7. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
7.1 Exercise conditions
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
7.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price of the Options shall be determined by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the statutory auditor, and mentioned in the individual Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the Beneficiary.
7.3 Consequences of the Exercise
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
7.4 Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods
At least 75% of the total amount of Options offered under this 2023 Global Stock Option Plan will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the Options per fully lapsed month). |
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Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in these Regulations or the Stock Option Agreement, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
- 15 June to 30 June; and
- 15 October to 31 October.
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
7.5 Number of Shares per Option
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
7.6 Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options
7.6.1 Type C Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her/its Options which are vested at the time he/she/it ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates.
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7.6.2 Type B Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her/its Options which are vested at the time he/she/it ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, during the first valid exercise period for his/her vested Options in accordance with Clause 7.4 of these Regulations, after the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
7.6.3 Type A Leaver
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she/it ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
7.6.4 Holding
A Beneficiary can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be), so that such person will keep the economic rights, if any, attached to such Options and/or Shares, but all other rights (including voting rights), if any, will vest in this structure / entity.
By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor of such transaction, to the extent applicable.
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Each Beneficiary accepts that any tax consequences resulting from the application of this Clause 7.6.4, if any, will be borne exclusively by the Beneficiary.
7.7 Exercise Conditions
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered, (ii) be sent by email or (ii) be sent by registered letter, with either one having to be received by the Company no later than the last calendar day of an exercise period as referred to in Clause 7.4.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
The exercise of the Options is unconditional.
7.8 Payment conditions
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form.
7.9 Liquidity Event or IPO
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations, the (vested and non-vested) Options will, in case of a Liquidity Event or an IPO, be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company, respectively immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange.
The tax consequences, if any, of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the exercise of his/her/its Options may not be sold during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
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8. DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY
In case of death of the Beneficiary, his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries who are Type C Leavers.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
9. NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
9.1 Nature of the Shares
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
9.2 Rights attached to the Shares
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
9.3 Transferability of the Shares
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
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10. AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS
10.1 Operation
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and nature of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of subscription rights or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
The holder of Options shall not be entitled to exercise his/her/its Options in case of a capital increase in cash in the Company, in accordance with Article 7:71 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations.
10.2 Adaptation
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio number/value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio. The tax consequences, if any, of any such adaptation pursuant to this Clause 10.2 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
10.3 Notice
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
11. TAXES
The Beneficiary shall be solely liable for and undertakes to pay any income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest due by the Beneficiary in connection with the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option, or the acquisition, holding or transfer of the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Options.
If according to applicable local laws, the grant of an Option or the exercise of the Option, is to be considered as a benefit in kind, such benefit in kind should be taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, should be subject to the wage withholding tax and reporting. If so provided by applicable local laws, the wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised.
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Pursuant to applicable laws, the Company (including, for purposes of this paragraph, an Affiliate) may be required to collect income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest, upon the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option. The Company may require, as a condition to the grant or exercise of an Option, or at such other time as it may consider appropriate, that the Beneficiary pays the Company the amount of any taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest which the Company may determine is required to be withheld or collected, and that the Beneficiary shall comply with the requirement or demand of the Company. In its discretion, the Company may withhold Shares to be received upon exercise of the Option if it deems this an appropriate method for withholding or collecting taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest.
In general, since the principles described above are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a personal tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax consequences of the grant or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future, nor regarding the subsequent sale of the underlying shares. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for reporting the taxable event resulting from the Options and, possibly, the subsequent sale of the underlying shares in the appropriate personal income tax return which they are to file. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
12. EXPENSES
12.1 The Company
Subject to Clause 11, all expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
12.2 The Beneficiaries
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
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13. ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations in accordance with the Beneficiaries’ rights, without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against them five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
14. INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have an impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan.
15. NULLITY OF A PROVISION
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this 2023 Global Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this 2023 Global Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
16. NOTICES
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the subscription rights register of the Company, or to the e-mail address provided by them to the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
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17. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
17.1 Applicable law
The Regulations, the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
17.2 Jurisdiction
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 1 – Offer Letter
2023 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [·] Options at the exercise price of EUR [·] per Option,which will vest as per the following schedule
[·]
and with a term expiring on [·].
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the Board of Directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV by [·] at the latest. Please note that failure to sign or to send the Answer Form or sending it late will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[·]
| Read and approved | ||
| [·] |
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EXHIBIT 2 – Stock Option Agreement
2023 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN : | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (RLE Ghent, division Ghent); |
duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [·];
hereafter the Company,
| AND: | [·] |
hereafter the Beneficiary,
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created a 2023 Global Stock Option Plan, “THE 2023 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN – AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV”, in favor of key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates, a copy of which is annexed to this Stock Option Agreement.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary. The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept the Regulations.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
| 2. | The Company has offered [·] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Beneficiary will notify his/her/its acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
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| 3. | Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Exercise Price is EUR [0.01] per Option. With respect to the Beneficiaries which are Belgian tax residents, the Exercise Price shall be determined by the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the statutory auditor, at the fair market value of the Shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. |
| 4. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows:
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the Options per fully lapsed month). |
The vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in the Regulations, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
| 5. | The Options are subject to the Type A Leaver, Type B Leaver and Type C Leaver provisions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Regulations. |
| 6. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance ([date] 2033), become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be later limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
| 8. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that he/she can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be).
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By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor with such transaction, to the extent applicable.
| 9. | The 2023 Global Stock Option Plan and the resulting potential Option was granted by the Company on an extraordinary basis and, therefore, cannot be consolidated; it is not taken into consideration for the calculation of any other type of remuneration or voluntary Social Security improvement systems implemented by the Company or any Affiliate; it shall not be taken into account for the calculation of any compensation/ severance pay to which the Beneficiary is entitled as a result of the termination of his/her/its employment or service contract; nor can it be understood, under any circumstances, to be a condition with benefits in favor of the Beneficiary in the future. |
| 10. | The 2023 Global Stock Option Plan does not grant any Beneficiary the right to keep their employment or service relationship at the Company or the relevant Affiliate. The rights and obligations of the Beneficiary under the terms and conditions of their contract of employment or service contract shall not be affected by their participation in the 2023 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| 11. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full), he/she can be liable for social security contributions and taxes relating to the Grant and/or exercise of these Options pursuant to applicable local laws. |
| 12. | [The Beneficiary undertakes that he/she/it shall not exercise the Options before [·] nor transfer the Options. This undertaking is made pursuant to article 43 of the Belgian Act of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions, as amended from time to time, with a view to obtaining the reduced lump sum valuation percentage of [·]% of the value of the Shares underlying the award at the time of grant. |
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In case the Beneficiary would not live up to this undertaking, the Beneficiary acknowledges and agrees that this will trigger a second taxable moment and that he/she/it shall be liable for all ensuing taxes pursuant to applicable local laws.] [ Wording for Belgian individuals/tax residents.]
| 13. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that (i) any convocation to a general meeting of shareholders of the Company addressed to the Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, as well as (ii) any notice in connection with this Agreement, shall be validly given to the Beneficiary, in accordance with Article 2:32 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, if sent by email to the following email address: |
[E-mail address].
| 14. | [Insertion of specific clauses related to the (tax) treatment of the Options in connection with the country of which the Beneficiary is a tax resident.] |
Done on
| The Company | The Beneficiary | |
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EXHIBIT 3 – Answer Form
2023 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned 2023 Global Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her/its decision in respect of the Grant dated (DATE). He/She declares:
Please tick ONE option
| - | to accept all the Options offered. | |
| - | to accept out of the Options offered. | |
| - | to refuse all the Options offered. |
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [·] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options.
Done on
Signature
| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [·] by [·] at the latest, duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 4 – Exercise Form
2023 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of (DATE):
(NUMBER) Options, attributed on (DATE) at the Exercise Price of (AMOUNT) EUR = (AMOUNT) EUR
| Total amount: EUR |
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [·] (NUMBER) for value [·] (DATE) at the latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [·] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number (NUMBER)
Done at on
Signature
Please send this document by [·] at the latest to [·] duly completed and signed.
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Exhibit 10.8
Execution version
8 July 2024
2024 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN
Regarding the grant of maximum 87,780 Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 3 July 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 |
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 |
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 |
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 |
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 9 |
| 5. | OPTIONS | 9 |
| 5.1 | Number Of Options Per Beneficiary | 9 | |
| 5.2 | Nature Of The Options | 9 | |
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 | |
| 5.4 | Term Of Options | 9 | |
| 5.5 | Non-transferability And Security | 9 |
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 |
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 | |
| 6.2 | Acceptance Or Refusal Of The Offer | 10 | |
| 6.3 | Acceptance Of The Regulations | 11 |
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 |
| 7.1 | Exercise Conditions | 11 | |
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 | |
| 7.3 | Consequences Of The Exercise | 11 | |
| 7.4 | Vesting Of Options And Exercise Periods | 11 | |
| 7.5 | Number Of Shares Per Option | 12 | |
| 7.6 | Cancellation Of The Right To Exercise The Options | 12 |
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 | |
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 13 | |
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 | |
| 7.6.4 | Holding | 13 |
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 14 | |
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 | |
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event Or Ipo | 14 |
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 15 |
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 |
| 9.1 | Nature Of The Shares | 15 | |
| 9.2 | Rights Attached To The Shares | 16 | |
| 9.3 | Transferability Of The Shares | 16 |
| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 16 |
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| 10.1 | Operation | 16 | |
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 16 | |
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 | |
| 10.4 | Trading Restrictions | 17 | |
| 10.5 | Clawback Policy | 17 |
| 11. | TAXES | 17 |
| 12. | EXPENSES | 18 |
| 12.1 | The Company | 18 | |
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 18 |
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 18 |
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 19 |
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 19 |
| 16. | NOTICES | 19 |
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 19 |
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 19 | |
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 19 |
| 18. | U.S. BENEFICIARIES | 20 |
| 18.1 | Grant Date | 20 | |
| 18.2 | Exercise Price | 20 | |
| 18.3 | Section 409a | 20 | |
| 18.4 | Currency Exchange Rates | 21 |
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FOREWORD
The 2024 Global Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors on 3 July 2024 and the Company’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on 8 July 2024, in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and/or its Affiliates, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The 2024 Global Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly the Beneficiaries may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan at 87,780 Options.
The 2024 Global Stock Option Plan is set for a definite period of ten (10) years as of the issuance of the Options. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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1. DEFINITIONS
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3. |
| Belgian Code of Companies and Associations | means the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations of 23 March 2019 (as amended from time to time). | |
| Beneficiary | : | a key manager, employee, director and/or outside consultant and/or advisor of the Company or the Company’s Affiliates (it being understood that if such key manager, director and/or outside consultant and/or advisor would be a management company, the Options shall be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Posthoflei 1 box 6, 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (RLE Antwerp, division Antwerp). |
| Code | : | means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code. |
| Controlling Interest | : | means an interest in shares giving to the holder or holders control of the Company within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code for Companies and Associations. |
| Exercise | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an |
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| Conditions | Option during the Exercise Periods. | |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan, as determined in the 2024 Stock Option Agreement. |
| 2024 Global Stock Option Plan | : | the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Initial Public Offering or IPO | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganisation of the Company, (iii) the disposal or other disposition by the Company and / any of its subsidiaries of all or substantially all of its undertaking and assets (which disposal may include, without limitation, the grant by the Company of an exclusive licence of intellectual property not entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) any merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) the sale of (or the grant of a right to acquire or to dispose of) any shares of the Company (in one transaction or as a series of transactions) that results in the purchaser of those shares (or grantee of that right) and persons acting jointly with him acquiring a Controlling Interest in the Company (which, for the sake of completeness does not include a Holding Company Reorganisation (as defined in the articles of association of the Company) or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
| Offer | : | the written and dated offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan. |
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| Offer Letter | : | the letter attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a subscription right (“inschrijvingsrecht” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan, and the specific terms set out in the 2024 Stock Option Agreement, if any, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
| Securities | : | shall mean any Shares and any transferable securities authorized by law and representing or granting a present or future claim on a portion of the share capital of the Company (including, for instance, convertible bonds or subscription rights), issued by the Company at any time, as well as any securities of the Company which may be allotted by the Company at any time for any reason whatsoever (subscription, transfer, gift, bequest, gratuitous allotment, merger or split, etc.) and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, all rights or subscription rights attached to such securities (including but not limited to pre-emption rights and the legal preferential subscription right (“wettelijk voorkeurrecht” / “droit préférentiel de souscription”)). |
| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Shareholders Agreement | : | the shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 10 October 2023 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement as enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) in circumstances involving his/her/it being summarily dismissed by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct, and, specifically, as far as an employee Beneficiary is concerned, by reason of serious cause (“fraude” / “dol” / ”despido disciplinario procedente” / “dringende reden”/“motif grave”). |
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| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) voluntarily or as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or his/her management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, within the first three (3) years after the date of sending of the Offer Letter addressed to such Beneficiary. |
| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who leaves the Company (or any of its Affiliates) and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
| U.S. Beneficiary | : | means a Beneficiary who is or is expected to become a United States resident or otherwise subject to the federal tax laws of the United States. |
2. GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS
The 2024 Global Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
3. BENEFICIARIES
The 2024 Global Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company (or any of its Affiliates) and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
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4. NUMBER OF OPTIONS
A maximum number of 87,780 Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
5. OPTIONS
5.1 Number of Options per Beneficiary
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
5.2 Nature of the Options
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
5.3 Option Price
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
5.4 Term of Options
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance (i.e. on or around 8 July 2034), regardless of the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
5.5 Non-transferability and security
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
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| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company that it controls at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5 will not be exercisable.
6. OFFER OF OPTIONS
6.1 Offer Date
The Company will address each Beneficiary a duly dated and executed customized Offer Letter, containing all material terms and conditions, for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
6.2 Acceptance or refusal of the Offer
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her/its decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form.
The Offer of Options shall, in any case, be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within the acceptance period indicated in the Offer Letter (which shall not exceed 75 calendar days as from the date of the Offer), without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right. If the Beneficiary accepts the Offer in writing in whole or in part within sixty (60) calendar days following the date of the Offer, the portion of the Options that has been accepted in writing within such a time frame shall be deemed to have been Granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer for Belgian tax purposes, in line with applicable regulations.
In case of absence of signature, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
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The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Stock Option Agreement has to be duly completed and signed, simultaneously with the Answer Form.
If an Option is refused, it shall be deemed never to have been granted to the person and the so refused Options shall remain available to the Company for any further grants to other Beneficiaries.
6.3 Acceptance of the Regulations
The acceptance of the Offer by the Beneficiary results in the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary.
7. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
7.1 Exercise conditions
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
7.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price of the Options shall be determined by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the statutory auditor, and mentioned in the individual Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the Beneficiary.
7.3 Consequences of the Exercise
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
7.4 Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods
At least 75% of the total amount of Options offered under this 2024 Global Stock Option Plan will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
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| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the Options per fully lapsed month). |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in these Regulations or the Stock Option Agreement, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
7.5 Number of Shares per Option
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
7.6 Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options
7.6.1 Type C Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her/its Options which are vested at the time he/she/it ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates.
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7.6.2 Type B Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her/its Options which are vested at the time he/she/it ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, during the first valid exercise period for his/her vested Options in accordance with Clause 7.4 of these Regulations, after the time he/she ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
7.6.3 Type A Leaver
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she/it ceases to be employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
7.6.4 Holding
A Beneficiary can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be), so that such person will keep the economic rights, if any, attached to such Options and/or Shares, but all other rights (including voting rights), if any, will vest in this structure / entity.
By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
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Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor of such transaction, to the extent applicable.
Each Beneficiary accepts that any tax consequences resulting from the application of this Clause 7.6.4, if any, will be borne exclusively by the Beneficiary.
7.7 Exercise Conditions
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered, (ii) be sent by email or (ii) be sent by registered letter, with either one having to be received by the Company no later than the last calendar day of an exercise period as referred to in Clause 7.4.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
The exercise of the Options is unconditional.
7.8 Payment conditions
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form.
7.9 Liquidity Event or IPO
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations:
| (a) | in case of a Liquidity Event, all of the vested and non-vested Options will be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company; and |
| (b) | in case of an IPO, a portion of fifty percent (50%) of the Options held by a Beneficiary at that time, which portion shall include the Options that, as the case may be, have already vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, will vest and be exercisable immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange, whereby the remaining Options (vested or not yet vested) held by such Beneficiary will continue to vest (as the case may be) and become exercisable in accordance with Clause 7.4. |
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The tax consequences, if any, of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the envisaged exercise of his/her/its Options may not be sold during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from the aforementioned rules.
8. DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY
In case of death of the Beneficiary, his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries who are Type C Leavers.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
9. NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
9.1 Nature of the Shares
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
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9.2 Rights attached to the Shares
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
9.3 Transferability of the Shares
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
10. AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS
10.1 Operation
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and nature of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of subscription rights or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
The holder of Options shall not be entitled to exercise his/her/its Options in case of a capital increase in cash in the Company, in accordance with Article 7:71 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations.
10.2 Adaptation
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio number/value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio. The tax consequences, if any, of any such adaptation pursuant to this Clause 10.2 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
10.3 Notice
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
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10.4 Trading Restrictions
Following an IPO, Option exercises shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.
10.5 Clawback Policy
Following an IPO and to the extent required by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Shares may be listed, Options under this 2024 Global Stock Option Plan shall be subject to the Company’s clawback policy, as may be in effect from time to time.
11. TAXES
The Beneficiary shall be solely liable for and undertakes to pay any income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest due by the Beneficiary in connection with the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option, or the acquisition, holding or transfer of the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Options.
If according to applicable local laws, the grant of an Option or the exercise of the Option, is to be considered as a benefit in kind, such benefit in kind should be taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, should be subject to the wage withholding tax and reporting. If so provided by applicable local laws, the wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised.
Pursuant to applicable laws, the Company (including, for purposes of this paragraph, an Affiliate) may be required to collect income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest, upon the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option. The Company may require, as a condition to the grant or exercise of an Option, or at such other time as it may consider appropriate, that the Beneficiary pays the Company the amount of any taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest which the Company may determine is required to be withheld or collected, and that the Beneficiary shall comply with the requirement or demand of the Company. In its discretion, the Company may withhold Shares to be received upon exercise of the Option if it deems this an appropriate method for withholding or collecting taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest.
In general, since the principles described above are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a personal tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax consequences of the grant or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future, nor regarding the subsequent sale of the underlying shares. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for reporting the taxable event resulting from the Options and, possibly, the subsequent sale of the underlying shares in the appropriate personal income tax return which they are to file. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
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12. EXPENSES
12.1 The Company
Subject to Clause 11, all expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
12.2 The Beneficiaries
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
13. ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations in accordance with the Beneficiaries’ rights, without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against them five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Regulations, the Board of Directors may amend or add to the Regulations including, without limitation, approving and adopting any and all sub-plans or appendices for employees, consultants and/or advisors, including employees, consultants and/or advisors outside of Belgium, provided that such sub-plans or appendices conform with any applicable local tax laws and do not negatively impact the Beneficiaries’ rights attached to the Options.
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14. INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have an impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan.
15. NULLITY OF A PROVISION
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this 2024 Global Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this 2024 Global Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
16. NOTICES
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the subscription rights register of the Company, or to the e-mail address provided by them to the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
17. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
17.1 Applicable law
The Regulations, the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
17.2 Jurisdiction
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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18. U.S. BENEFICIARIES
18.1 Grant Date
Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Option will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, regardless of when the Stock Option Agreement, or such other instrument, certificate, book entry, or letter evidencing the Option is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, a U.S. Beneficiary (the “U.S. Grant Date”) for U.S. law purposes only.
18.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price per Share purchasable under any Option granted to a U.S. Beneficiary will be determined by the Board of Directors and will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a Share on the U.S. Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with an exercise price per Share that is less than 100 percent of the fair market value on the date of grant (i) pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code, or (ii) the Options are otherwise compliant with or exempt from Section 409A of the Code. For purposes hereof, the “fair market value” shall be determined (A) if the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange, by reference to market quotations and (y) in the absence of an established market for the Shares, by the Board of Directors in good faith by application of a reasonable valuation method not inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code.
18.3 Section 409A
Unless otherwise expressly provided for by the Board of Directors at the time of grant, the terms applicable to Options granted to U.S. Beneficiaries under this 2024 Global Stock Option Plan will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes such Options exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, that brings the Options into compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this 2024 Global Stock Option Plan (and unless the Stock Option Agreement or other written contract with the U.S. Beneficiary specifically provides otherwise), if the Shares are publicly traded, and if a U.S. Beneficiary of an Option that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six (6) months following the date of such U.S. Beneficiary’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the U.S. Beneficiary’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that does not result in accelerated taxation or a tax penalty under Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six (6) month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule. Any adjustments to Options held by U.S. Beneficiaries pursuant to clause 10.2 of the Regulations shall be done only to the extent permitted by, and in a manner that complies with, Section 409A of the Code.
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18.4 Currency Exchange Rates
The Company reserves the right to determine in good faith the timing of any currency exchange in connection with the grant or exercise of an Option, and the controlling exchange rate to be used. The Company will not be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation that may affect the value of an Option, the Exercise Price or withholding taxes payable by a U.S. Beneficiary or any amounts payable to a U.S. Beneficiary in connection with the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon exercise.
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EXHIBIT 1 — Offer Letter
2024 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [•] Options at the exercise price of EUR [•] per Option, which will vest as per the following schedule
[•]
and with a term expiring on [•].
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the Board of Directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV by [•] at the latest. Please note that failure to sign or to send the Answer Form or sending it late will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[•]
| Read and approved | |
| [•] |
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EXHIBIT 2 - Stock Option Agreement
2024 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN : | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Posthoflei 1 box 6, 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (RLE Antwerp, division Antwerp); |
| duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [•]; | |
| hereafter the Company, | |
| AND: | [•], |
| hereafter the Beneficiary, |
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created a 2024 Global Stock Option Plan, “THE 2024 Global Stock Option Plan — AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV”, in favor of key managers, employees, directors and/or outside consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates, a copy of which is annexed to this Stock Option Agreement.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary. The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept the Regulations.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
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| 2. | The Company has offered [•] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Beneficiary will notify his/her/its acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
| 3. | Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Exercise Price is EUR [0.01] per Option. With respect to the Beneficiaries which are Belgian tax residents, the Exercise Price shall be determined by the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the statutory auditor, at the fair market value of the Shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. With respect to U.S. Beneficiaries, the Exercise Price shall be equal to [•], determined in accordance with clause 18.2 of the Regulations. |
| 4. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows:
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the Options per fully lapsed month). |
The vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in the Regulations, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June; and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October. |
| 5. | The Options are subject to the Type A Leaver, Type B Leaver and Type C Leaver provisions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Regulations. |
| 6. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance ([date] 2034), become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be later limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
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| 8. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that he/she can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be).
By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor with such transaction, to the extent applicable.
| 9. | The 2024 Global Stock Option Plan and the resulting potential Option was granted by the Company on an extraordinary basis and, therefore, cannot be consolidated; it is not taken into consideration for the calculation of any other type of remuneration or voluntary Social Security improvement systems implemented by the Company or any Affiliate; it shall not be taken into account for the calculation of any compensation/ severance pay to which the Beneficiary is entitled as a result of the termination of his/her/its employment or service contract; nor can it be understood, under any circumstances, to be a condition with benefits in favor of the Beneficiary in the future. |
| 10. | The 2024 Global Stock Option Plan does not grant any Beneficiary the right to keep their employment or service relationship at the Company or the relevant Affiliate. The rights and obligations of the Beneficiary under the terms and conditions of their contract of employment or service contract shall not be affected by their participation in the 2024 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| 11. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full), he/she can be liable for social security contributions and taxes relating to the Grant and/or exercise of these Options pursuant to applicable local laws. |
| 12. | [The Beneficiary undertakes that he/she/it shall not exercise the Options before [•] nor transfer the Options. This undertaking is made pursuant to article 43 of the Belgian Act of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions, as amended from time to time, with a view to obtaining the reduced lump sum valuation percentage of [•]% of the value of the Shares underlying the award at the time of grant. |
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In case the Beneficiary would not live up to this undertaking, the Beneficiary acknowledges and agrees that this will trigger a second taxable moment and that he/she/it shall be liable for all ensuing taxes pursuant to applicable local laws.] [Wording for Belgian individuals/tax residents.]
| 13. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that (i) any convocation to a general meeting of shareholders of the Company addressed to the Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, as well as (ii) any notice in connection with this Agreement, shall be validly given to the Beneficiary, in accordance with Article 2:32 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, if sent by email to the following email address: |
[E-mail address].
| 14. | [The Beneficiary shall, not later than the date as of which the exercise of the Options becomes a taxable event for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or any subsidiary or make arrangements satisfactory to the Board of Directors for payment of any U.S. Federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event.] [Wording for U.S. individuals/tax residents.] |
| 15. | [Insertion of specific clauses related to the (tax) treatment of the Options in connection with the country of which the Beneficiary is a tax resident.] |
Done on ____________ .
| The Company | The Beneficiary |
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EXHIBIT 3 — Answer Form
2024 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
| The undersigned | (NAME) |
| domiciled / having its registered office at |
| (FULL ADDRESS) |
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned 2024 Global Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
| The undersigned hereby notifies his/her/its decision in respect of the Grant dated | (DATE). He/She declares: |
Please tick ONE option
| - | to accept all the | Options offered. |
| - | to accept | out of the | Options offered. |
| - | to refuse all the | Options offered. |
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [•] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options.
| Done on |
Signature
| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [•] by [•] at the latest, duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 4 — Exercise Form
2024 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| The undersigned | (NAME) |
| domiciled / having its registered office at |
| (FULL ADDRESS) |
| hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of | (DATE): |
_______________(NUMBER) Options, attributed on______________________(DATE) at the Exercise Price of_________________________(AMOUNT) EUR =__________________(AMOUNT) EUR
| Total amount: | EUR |
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [•] (NUMBER) for value [•] (DATE) at the latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [•] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number_____________________(NUMBER)
Done at____________on___________
| Signature |
Please send this document by [•] at the latest to [•] duly completed and signed.
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Exhibit 10.9
20 October 2024
2024 (B) GLOBAL STOCK OPTION
PLAN
Regarding the grant of maximum 103,786 Options to the key managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 20 October 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 | |
| 1. DEFINITIONS | 5 | |
| 2. GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 | |
| 3. BENEFICIARIES | 8 | |
| 4. NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 8 | |
| 5. OPTIONS | 9 | |
| 5.1 | Number Of Options Per Beneficiary | 9 |
| 5.2 | Nature Of The Options | 9 |
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 |
| 5.4 | Term Of Options | 9 |
| 5.5 | Non-transferability And Security | 9 |
| 6. OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 | |
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 |
| 6.2 | Acceptance Or Refusal Of The Offer | 10 |
| 6.3 | Acceptance Of The Regulations | 11 |
| 7. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 | |
| 7.1 | Exercise Conditions | 11 |
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 |
| 7.3 | Consequences Of The Exercise | 11 |
| 7.4 | Vesting Of Options And Exercise Periods | 11 |
| 7.5 | Number Of Shares Per Option | 12 |
| 7.6 | Cancellation Of The Right To Exercise The Options | 12 |
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 12 |
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 13 |
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 13 |
| 7.6.4 | Holding | 13 |
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 14 |
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 |
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event Or Ipo | 14 |
| 8. DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 15 | |
| 9. NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 | |
| 9.1 | Nature Of The Shares | 15 |
| 9.2 | Rights Attached To The Shares | 16 |
| 9.3 | Transferability Of The Shares | 16 |
| 10. AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 16 | |
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| 10.1 | Operation | 16 |
| 10.2 | Adaptation | 16 |
| 10.3 | Notice | 16 |
| 10.4 | Trading Restrictions | 17 |
| 10.5 | Clawback Policy | 17 |
| 11. TAXES | 17 | |
| 12. EXPENSES | 18 | |
| 12.1 | The Company | 18 |
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 18 |
| 13. ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 18 | |
| 14. INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 19 | |
| 15. NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 19 | |
| 16. NOTICES | 19 | |
| 17. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 19 | |
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 19 |
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 19 |
| 18. U.S. BENEFICIARIES | 20 | |
| 18.1 | Grant Date | 20 |
| 18.2 | Exercise Price | 20 |
| 18.3 | Section 409a | 21 |
| 18.4 | Currency Exchange Rates | 21 |
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FOREWORD
The 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors on 20 October 2024 and the Company’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on 30 October 2024, in order to offer to certain key managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors of the Company and/or its Affiliates, Options allowing them to subscribe to Shares of the Company.
The 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly the Beneficiaries may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company.
The Board of Directors sets the maximum number of Options to be granted under the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan at 103,786 Options.
The 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan is set for a definite period of ten (10) years as of the issuance of the Options. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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1. DEFINITIONS
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3 or any other form in which the Board of Directors would request to respond to the Offer. |
| Belgian Code of Companies and Associations | means the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations of 23 March 2019 (as amended from time to time). |
| Beneficiary | : | a key manager, employee, director, outside consultant and/or advisor of the Company or the Company’s Affiliates (it being understood that if such key manager, director, outside consultant and/or advisor would be a management company, the Options shall be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations. |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Posthoflei 1 box 6, 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (RLE Antwerp, division Antwerp). |
| Code | : | means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code. |
| Controlling Interest | : | means an interest in shares giving to the holder or holders control of the Company within the meaning of article 1:14 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. |
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| ESOP Common Shares | means the ESOP common shares of the Company having the rights and privileges set out in the articles of association of the Company and the Shareholders Agreement; | |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 4 or any other form in which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan, as determined in the 2024 (B) Stock Option Agreement. |
| 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan | : | the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Initial Public Offering or IPO | : | means an initial public offering of Shares. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a payment of dividends, capital reduction, or share buy-back, (ii) a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or judicial reorganisation of the Company, (iii) the disposal or other disposition by the Company and / or any of its subsidiaries of all or substantially all of its undertaking and assets (which disposal may include, without limitation, the grant by the Company of an exclusive licence of intellectual property not entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) any merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement or acquisition, involving the Company or its subsidiaries, in which the Company or its subsidiaries are not the surviving entity, (v) the sale of (or the grant of a right to acquire or to dispose of) any shares of the Company (in one transaction or as a series of transactions) that results in the purchaser of those shares (or grantee of that right) and persons acting jointly with him acquiring a Controlling Interest in the Company (which, for the sake of completeness does not include a Holding Company Reorganisation (as defined in the articles of association of the Company) or (vi) any other event with substantially the same economic effect as the events set out in (i) to (v) above. |
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| Offer | : | the written and dated offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the letter according to the model attached in Exhibit 1. |
| Option | : | a subscription right (“inschrijvingsrecht” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan, and the specific terms set out in the 2024 (B) Stock Option Agreement, if any, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
| Share | : | a new ESOP Common Share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company. |
| Shareholders Agreement | : | the shareholders agreement regarding the Company that has been entered into by and between the Company, the Existing Shareholders and the Investors (each as defined therein) on 30 October 2024 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, as the case may be). |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement according to the model enclosed in Exhibit 2 of the Regulations, to be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary. |
| Type A Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who ceases to be an employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company (or any of its Affiliates) in circumstances involving his/her/it being summarily dismissed or terminated by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct/negligence , and, specifically, as far as an employee Beneficiary is concerned, by reason of serious cause (“fraude” / “dol” / “despido disciplinario procedente” / “dringende reden” /“motif grave”). |
| Type B Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who ceases to be an employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company (or any of its Affiliates) voluntarily or as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or his/her management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, within the first three (3) years after the date of sending of the Offer Letter addressed to such Beneficiary. |
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| Type C Leaver | : | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who ceases to be an employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company (or any of its Affiliates) and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
| U.S. Beneficiary | : | means a Beneficiary who is or is expected to become a United States resident or otherwise subject to the federal tax laws of the United States. |
2. GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS
The 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
3. BENEFICIARIES
The 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan is open to the key managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors of the Company and its Affiliates. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the key managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors of the Company or its Affiliates.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company (or any of its Affiliates) and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
4. NUMBER OF OPTIONS
A maximum number of 103,786 Options may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations.
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5. OPTIONS
5.1 Number of Options per Beneficiary
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
5.2 Nature of the Options
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
5.3 Option Price
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
5.4 Term of Options
The Options are valid for ten (10) years as of the date of their issuance (i.e. expiring in 2034), regardless of the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option which has not been exercised at its expiration date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
5.5 Non-transferability and security
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
| (i) | in case of death as provided for in Clause 8; |
| (ii) | in connection with the obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association; and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company in which it holds a Controlling Interest at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
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The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5, will not be exercisable.
Any transfer in accordance with this Clause 5.5 must be promptly notified to the Company.
6. OFFER OF OPTIONS
6.1 Offer Date
The Company will address each Beneficiary a duly dated and executed customized Offer Letter, containing all material terms and conditions, for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
6.2 Acceptance or refusal of the Offer
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her/its decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, by the Beneficiary to the Company at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form.
The Offer of Options shall, in any case, be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within the acceptance period indicated in the Offer Letter (which shall not exceed 75 calendar days as from the date of the Offer), without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right. If the Beneficiary accepts the Offer in writing in whole or in part within sixty (60) calendar days following the date of the Offer, the portion of the Options that has been accepted in writing within such a time frame shall be deemed to have been Granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer for Belgian tax purposes, in line with applicable regulations.
In case of absence of Beneficiary’s signature on the Answer Form, if the Beneficiary has not clearly indicated on the Answer Form whether she/he accepts the Offer in full or in part, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
The final acceptance of the Offer depends on the signature of a Stock Option Agreement. This Stock Option Agreement has to be duly completed and signed by the Beneficiary, simultaneously with the Answer Form.
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If an Option is refused, it shall be deemed never to have been granted to the person and the so refused Options shall remain available to the Company for any further grants to other Beneficiaries.
6.3 Acceptance of the Regulations
The acceptance of the Offer (in full or in part) by the Beneficiary results in the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary.
7. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
7.1 Exercise conditions
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
7.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price of the Options shall be determined by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the Company’s statutory auditor, and shall be mentioned in the individual Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the Beneficiary.
7.3 Consequences of the Exercise
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form.
7.4 Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods
At least 75% of the total amount of Options offered under this 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
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| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the Options per fully lapsed month). |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in these Regulations or the Stock Option Agreement, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June (inclusive); and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October (inclusive). |
All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance, become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from these rules.
7.5 Number of Shares per Option
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
7.6 Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options
7.6.1 Type C Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her/its Options which are vested at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, key manager, director, consultant or advisor of the Company or its Affiliates, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she/it ceases to be employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Affiliates.
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7.6.2 Type B Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her/its Options which are vested at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Affiliates, during the first valid exercise period for his/her vested Options in accordance with Clause 7.4 of these Regulations, after the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Affiliates. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
7.6.3 Type A Leaver
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, key manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Affiliates, will automatically be cancelled and expired, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Affiliates.
7.6.4 Holding
A Beneficiary can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be), so that such person will keep the economic rights, if any, attached to such Options and/or Shares, but all other rights (including voting rights), if any, will vest in this structure / entity.
By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
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Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor of such transaction, to the extent applicable.
Each Beneficiary accepts that any tax consequences resulting from the application of this Clause 7.6.4, if any, will be borne exclusively by the Beneficiary.
7.7 Exercise Conditions
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered, (ii) be sent by email or (ii) be sent by registered letter, with either one having to be received by the Company no later than the last calendar day of an exercise period as referred to in Clause 7.4.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
The exercise of the Options is unconditional.
7.8 Payment conditions
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form.
7.9 Liquidity Event or IPO
Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of these Regulations:
| (a) | in case of a Liquidity Event, all of the vested and non-vested Options will be exercisable immediately prior to the sale, lease, transfer, license or other disposition of all or substantially all shares or assets of the Company; and |
| (b) | in case of an IPO, a portion of fifty percent (50%) of the Options held by a Beneficiary at that time, which portion shall include the Options that, as the case may be, have already vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, will vest and be exercisable immediately prior to the admission of all or part of the shares in the Company to an official listing of a stock exchange, whereby the remaining Options (vested or not yet vested) held by such Beneficiary will continue to vest (as the case may be) and become exercisable in accordance with Clause 7.4. |
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The tax consequences, if any, of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The holders of Options undertake to sell the Shares, acquired as a result of the exercise of the Options pursuant to a Liquidity Event, to the purchaser who purchases pursuant to the Liquidity Event, at the same price and under the same conditions as which are applicable to the Liquidity Event. The Option holders will sell their Shares free and clear of any encumbrances within five (5) business days after having been requested to do so by the Company. They will be paid upon the effective transfer of their Shares.
In case of non-exercise of the Options in the event of a Liquidity Event, except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Options become automatically null and void immediately after the date of the effective sale of all shares in the Company in the scope of the Liquidity Event.
In case of an IPO, the Board of Directors may decide that the Shares issued to the Beneficiary pursuant to the envisaged exercise of his/her/its Options may not be sold during a reasonable lock-up period after the listing.
The Stock Option Agreement can deviate from the aforementioned rules.
8. DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY
In case of death of the Beneficiary (natural person), his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries who are Type C Leavers.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
9. NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
9.1 Nature of the Shares
The Shares are ESOP Common Shares of the Company.
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9.2 Rights attached to the Shares
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will benefit from the same rights and advantages as the existing ESOP Common Shares of the Company (especially concerning voting right, dividend payment right, and right to distribution in case of liquidation).
9.3 Transferability of the Shares
The transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
10. AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS
10.1 Operation
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and nature of the shares representing the capital, such as regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of subscription rights or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary.
The holder of Options shall not be entitled to exercise his/her/its Options in case of a capital increase in cash in the Company, in accordance with Article 7:71 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations.
10.2 Adaptation
If the abovementioned operations result in a modification of the ratio between the number and value of the Shares which are subject to the Options and the rights attached thereto, the Board of Directors will adapt the Exercise Price of the Options and/or the number of Shares in order to maintain the ratio. The tax consequences, if any, of any such adaptation pursuant to this Clause 10.2 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
10.3 Notice
The possible modifications to the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
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10.4 Trading Restrictions
Following an IPO, Option exercises shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.
10.5 Clawback Policy
Following an IPO and to the extent required by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Shares may be listed, Options under this 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan shall be subject to the Company’s clawback policy, as may be in effect from time to time.
11. TAXES
The Beneficiary shall be solely liable for and undertakes to pay any income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest due by the Beneficiary in connection with the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option, or the acquisition, holding or transfer of the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Options.
If according to applicable local laws, the grant of an Option or the exercise of the Option, is to be considered as a benefit in kind, such benefit in kind should be taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, should be subject to the wage withholding tax and reporting. If so provided by applicable local laws, the wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised.
Pursuant to applicable laws, the Company (including, for purposes of this paragraph, an Affiliate) may be required to collect income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest, upon the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option. The Company may require, as a condition to the grant or exercise of an Option, or at such other time as it may consider appropriate, that the Beneficiary pays the Company the amount of any taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest which the Company may determine is required to be withheld or collected, and that the Beneficiary shall comply with the requirement or demand of the Company. In its discretion, the Company may withhold Shares to be received upon exercise of the Option if it deems this an appropriate method for withholding or collecting taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest.
In general, since the principles of the applicable laws described in this Clause 11 are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a personal tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax and social security consequences of the grant, acceptance or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future, nor regarding the subsequent sale of the underlying shares. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for reporting the taxable event resulting from the Options and, possibly, the subsequent sale of the underlying shares in the appropriate personal income tax return which they are to file. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
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12. EXPENSES
12.1 The Company
Subject to Clause 11, all of Company’s expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
12.2 The Beneficiaries
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares acquired by exercising the Options, the transfer of Options and/or Shares in case of death will be borne by the Beneficiary.
13. ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations, taking into account the Beneficiaries’ rights, and without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against the Beneficiaries five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Regulations, the Board of Directors may amend or supplement the Regulations including, without limitation, approving and adopting any and all sub-plans or appendices for employees, consultants and/or advisors, including employees, consultants and/or advisors outside of Belgium, provided that such sub-plans or appendices conform with any applicable local tax laws and do not negatively impact the Beneficiaries’ rights attached to the Options.
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14. INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have an impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan.
15. NULLITY OF A PROVISION
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
16. NOTICES
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the subscription rights register of the Company, or to the e-mail address provided by them to the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
17. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
17.1 Applicable law
The Regulations, the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
17.2 Jurisdiction
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
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18. U.S. BENEFICIARIES
18.1 Grant Date
Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Option will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, regardless of when the Stock Option Agreement, or such other instrument, certificate, book entry, or letter evidencing the Option is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, a U.S. Beneficiary (the “U.S. Grant Date”) for U.S. law purposes only.
18.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price per Share purchasable under any Option granted to a U.S. Beneficiary will be determined by the Board of Directors and will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a Share on the U.S. Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with an exercise price per Share that is less than 100 percent of the fair market value on the date of grant (i) pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code, or (ii) the Options are otherwise compliant with or exempt from Section 409A of the Code. For purposes hereof, the “fair market value” shall be determined (A) if the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange, by reference to market quotations and (y) in the absence of an established market for the Shares, by the Board of Directors in good faith by application of a reasonable valuation method not inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code.
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18.3 Section 409A
Unless otherwise expressly provided for by the Board of Directors at the time of grant, the terms applicable to Options granted to U.S. Beneficiaries under this 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes such Options exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, that brings the Options into compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan (and unless the Stock Option Agreement or other written contract with the U.S. Beneficiary specifically provides otherwise), if the Shares are publicly traded, and if a U.S. Beneficiary of an Option that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six (6) months following the date of such U.S. Beneficiary’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the U.S. Beneficiary’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that does not result in accelerated taxation or a tax penalty under Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six (6) month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule. Any adjustments to Options held by U.S. Beneficiaries pursuant to clause 10.2 of the Regulations shall be done only to the extent permitted by, and in a manner that complies with, Section 409A of the Code.
18.4 Currency Exchange Rates
The Company reserves the right to determine in good faith the timing of any currency exchange in connection with the grant or exercise of an Option, and the controlling exchange rate to be used. The Company will not be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation that may affect the value of an Option, the Exercise Price or withholding taxes payable by a U.S. Beneficiary or any amounts payable to a U.S. Beneficiary in connection with the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon exercise.
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EXHIBIT 1 — Offer Letter
2024 (B) GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [·] Options at the exercise price of EUR [·] per Option, which will vest as per the following schedule
[·]
and with a term expiring on [·].
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, attached hereto, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the Board of Directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV by [·] at the latest. Please note that failure to complete, sign or to send the Answer Form or sending it late will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[·]
| Read and approved | |
| [·] |
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EXHIBIT 2 - Stock Option Agreement
2024 (B) GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| BETWEEN : | AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Posthoflei 1 box 6, 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (RLE Antwerp, division Antwerp); |
| duly represented for the purposes of this agreement by [·]; | |
| hereafter the Company, |
| AND: | [·], |
hereafter the Beneficiary,
IT IS PROVIDED AS FOLLOWS:
The Company has created a 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan, “The 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan – AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV”, in favor of key managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors of the Company or its Affiliates, a copy of which is annexed to this Stock Option Agreement.
The Company is ready and willing to grant a limited amount of Options to the Beneficiary. The Beneficiary hereby declares to accept the Regulations.
In accordance with clause 6.2 of the Regulations, any such Grant of Options in relation to the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan is subject to the signing by the Beneficiary of a Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement).
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE:
| 1. | Unless a contrary intention appears, all terms in this Agreement have the same meaning as defined in the Regulations. |
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| 2. | The Company has offered [·] Options to the Beneficiary, on [date]. The Beneficiary will notify his/her/its acceptance or partial acceptance or refusal of the Options by means of the Answer Form by [date] at the latest. |
| 3. | Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Exercise Price is EUR 0.01 per Option. With respect to the Beneficiaries which are Belgian tax residents, the Exercise Price shall be determined by the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the statutory auditor, at the fair market value of the Shares of the Company at the time of the Offer. With respect to U.S. Beneficiaries, the Exercise Price shall be equal to [·], determined in accordance with clause 18.2 of the Regulations. |
| 4. | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. |
Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows:
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the Options per fully lapsed month). |
The vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless otherwise determined in the Regulations, the Options which are exercisable according to the preceding paragraphs, can be exercised during the following periods of each year that they are exercisable:
| - | 15 June to 30 June (inclusive); and |
| - | 15 October to 31 October (inclusive). |
| 5. | The Options are subject to the Type A Leaver, Type B Leaver and Type C Leaver provisions in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Regulations. |
| 6. | All non-exercised Options coming to their expiration date, i.e., after ten (10) years as of their issuance ([date] 2034), become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with clause 5.4 of the Regulations. |
| 7. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that the transferability of the Shares could be further limited pursuant to a change in the Company’s articles of association, after a resolution of the general shareholders’ meeting of the Company. |
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| 8. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that certain limitations of transferability, in case of a possible event in the financial markets, could be applied to the Shares. |
The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that he/she/it can be obliged to transfer, but not sell, all Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to a holding structure (“stichting” / “fondation”) or other similar entity in accordance with applicable laws, to be incorporated and to be controlled by the Company (or an existing holding structure or other similar entity, as the case may be).
By acceptance of one or more Options, each Beneficiary grants a special proxy to the Company to transfer its Options and/or Shares, issued upon exercise of one or more Options, held by such Beneficiary to such holding structure and to execute all documents and other formalities necessary to give full force to this transfer.
Each Beneficiary hereby undertakes to grant the necessary cooperation in this respect, including but not limited to grant permission with respect to such transfer or to vote in favor with such transaction, to the extent applicable.
| 9. | The 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan and the resulting potential Option was granted by the Company on an extraordinary basis and, therefore, cannot be consolidated; it is not taken into consideration for the calculation of any other type of remuneration or voluntary Social Security improvement systems implemented by the Company or any Affiliate; it shall not be taken into account for the calculation of any compensation/ severance pay to which the Beneficiary is entitled as a result of the termination of his/her/its employment or service contract; nor can it be understood, under any circumstances, to be a condition with benefits in favor of the Beneficiary in the future. |
| 10. | The 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan does not grant any Beneficiary the right to keep their employment, mandate or service relationship at the Company or the relevant Affiliate. The rights and obligations of the Beneficiary under the terms and conditions of their contract of employment, mandate or service contract shall not be affected by their participation in the 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan. |
| 11. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that by signing this Agreement and by not expressly rejecting the Options (in part or in full), he/she/it can be liable for social security contributions and taxes relating to the Grant and/or exercise of these Options pursuant to applicable local laws. |
| 12. | [The Beneficiary undertakes that he/she/it shall not exercise the Options before [·] nor transfer the Options. This undertaking is made pursuant to article 43 of the Belgian Act of 26 March 1999 on the Belgian 1998 employment action plan and containing miscellaneous provisions, as amended from time to time, with a view to obtaining the reduced lump sum valuation percentage of [·]% of the value of the Shares underlying the award at the time of grant. |
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In case the Beneficiary would not live up to this undertaking, the Beneficiary acknowledges and agrees that this will trigger a second taxable moment and that he/she/it shall be liable for all ensuing taxes pursuant to applicable local laws.] [Wording for Belgian individuals/tax residents.]
| 13. | The Beneficiary hereby acknowledges and accepts that (i) any convocation to a general meeting of shareholders of the Company addressed to the Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, as well as (ii) any notice in connection with this Agreement, shall be validly given to the Beneficiary, in accordance with Article 2:32 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, if sent by email to the following email address: |
[E-mail address].
| 14. | [The Beneficiary shall, not later than the date as of which the exercise of the Options becomes a taxable event for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or any subsidiary or make arrangements satisfactory to the Board of Directors for payment of any U.S. Federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event.] [Wording for U.S. individuals/tax residents.] |
| 15. | [Insertion of specific clauses related to the (tax) treatment of the Options in connection with the country of which the Beneficiary is a tax resident.] |
Done on _______________ .
| The Company | The Beneficiary | |
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EXHIBIT 3 — Answer Form
2024 (B) GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
| The undersigned | (NAME) |
| domiciled / having its registered office at |
| (FULL ADDRESS) |
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned 2024 (B) Global Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement.
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her/its decision in respect of the Grant dated ________________________ (DATE). He/She declares:
Please tick ONE option
| - | to accept all the _____________ Options offered. |
| - | to accept _____________ out of the _____________ Options offered. |
| - | to refuse all the _____________ Options offered. |
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [·] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options.
Done on ____________
| Signature | |
| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [·] by [·] at the latest, duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 4 — Exercise Form
2024 (B) GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| The undersigned | (NAME) |
| domiciled / having its registered office at |
| (FULL ADDRESS) |
hereby declares to exercise the following Options, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Stock Option Agreement of ______________(DATE):
________________(NUMBER) Options, attributed on ________________ (DATE) at the Exercise Price of ________________ (AMOUNT) EUR = ________________ (AMOUNT) EUR
Total amount:________________EUR
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [·] (NUMBER) for value [·] (DATE) at the latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [·] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number _________________ (NUMBER)
Done at ________________ on ________________
| Signature |
Please send this document by [·] at the latest to [·] duly completed and signed.
28
Exhibit 10.10
Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and is the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that was omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”.
MRenT1V2
| [logo:] Federal Public Service FINANCE |
FPS Finance Sender: Gaston Crommenlaan 6 - 9050 Ghent |
MyRent
Proof of registration
| DOCUMENT INFORMATION | ||
| Type of deed: | LEASE AGREEMENT - COMMON LAW | |
| Barcode of the deed: | 2023122900010350467 | |
| Registration reference number: | 2024G26620000000003343591 | |
AUTHORIZED OFFICE
G26 Office Rechtszekerheid [Legal Certainty] Antwerp 2 Italiëlei 4 2000 Antwerp Tel: 02 572 57 57 Email: rzsj.kantoor.antwerpen2@minfin.fed.be |
| CONTRACT DETAILS | |||
| Lessor (limited to the first 2 lessors): | 444420940 RING BUILDING NV, [***] | ||
| Lessee (limited to the first 2 lessees): | 674527310 AgomAb Therapeutics NV, [***] | ||
| Location of the property: | 2600 Berchem Posthoflei 1-3-5 |
||
| Registration date: | 01/15/2024 | ||
| Amount of the fees and penalties: | €3,593.70 (fees) - €0.00 (penalties) | ||
The Legal Certainty Office

WWW.FIN.BELGIUM.BE PATRIMONY DOCUMENTATION · FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE FINANCE |
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[logo:] FRANKLIN BUILDING
LEASE AGREEMENT
OFFICES
RING BUILDING NV
(LESSOR)
-
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
(LESSEE)
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 1 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
BETWEEN
Ring Building NV, with registered office at [***], duly represented herein by:
| - | FORTIM NV, with registered office at [***], represented by its permanent representative, Mr. Michael Lisman; |
| - | FINTEA MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING SERVICES BV, with registered office at [***], represented by its permanent representative, Mr. Tom Eeckhout. |
Hereinafter referred to as “the Lessor”;
AND
AgomAb Therapeutics NV, with registered office at [***], duly represented herein by two directors, jointly:
| - | Tim Knotnerus, CEO Director |
| - | John Haurum, Chair Director |
Hereinafter referred to as “the Lessee”;
The Lessee and the Lessor are hereinafter jointly referred to as “the Parties” or individually as “the Party”.
IT WAS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
The Lessor is the owner of the building consisting of commercial spaces, offices, and parking areas, known as the Franklin Building, located at 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Posthoflei 1-3-5 (hereinafter “the Building”).
The Parties agree to enter into a Lease Agreement under the Special and General Conditions set out hereinafter (“the Agreement”).
Moreover, the following Annexes shall be attached to the Agreement, of which the Parties acknowledge knowing, and which establish their mutual agreements, with the same legal effect as the Agreement. All Annexes shall form an integral part of the Agreement.
| - | Annex 1 : Plans |
| - | Annex 2 : Bank Guarantee |
| - | Annex 3 : Internal Rules and Regulations |
| - | Annex 4 : Incoming inspection report |
| - | Annex 5 : EPC Certificate |
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 2 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
The Agreement and its Annexes constitute the entirety of the contractual relationship between the Lessee and the Lessor, and supersede all prior proposals and/or commitments, whether written or verbal, between the Parties concerning the Agreement.
In accordance with Articles VI.104 and VI.104/1 of the Economic Law Code, each Party acknowledges that it has in fact negotiated each provision (both the Special Conditions and the General Conditions) with the other Party and that it has accepted each provision after having understood its content and implications, deeming these implications to be fair, balanced, and appropriate in light of the Agreement. The terms of the Agreement shall, therefore, always take precedence within the meaning of Article 5.23, paragraph 2 of the Civil Code.
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Special Conditions and the General Conditions, the Special Conditions of the Agreement shall prevail. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Agreement and its Annexes, the Agreement shall prevail.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 3 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| I. SPECIAL CONDITIONS |
| 1. | Description of the leased premises |
1.1. The Lessor leases to the Lessee, who accepts, the rental units described hereinafter in the Building as indicated on the plans in Annex 1 (“the Leased Premises”):
| Type | Level | Number | Units | Gross
indicative area (m2) |
Ref. |
| Offices | 2 | 2A | 418 | 406 | 2-A-l |
| Offices | 2 | 2B | 337 | 328 | 2-B-l |
| Offices | 2 | 2C | 376 | 366 | 2-C-l |
| Indoor parking spaces | -1 | 52-56 and 104-108 | 80 | N/A | 1-P-052; 1-P-053; 1-P-054; 1 P-055; 1-P-056; 1-P-104; 1-P-105; 1-P-106; 1-P-107; 1-P-108 |
| Outdoor parking spaces | 0 | 8; 19; 23-26; 57-60 | 50 | N/A | 0-P-008; 0-P-019; 0-P-023; 0-P-024; 0-P-025; 0-P-026; 0-P-057; 0-P-058; 0-P-059; 0-P-060 |
| 2. | Duration |
2.1. This Agreement shall enter into force on 12/12/2023 with respect to the office spaces with reference 2-A-1, the ten (10) outdoor parking spaces, and the five (5) indoor parking spaces with references 1-P-104, 1-P-105, 1-P-106, 1-P-107, 1-P-108.
The lease with respect to the office spaces with references 2-B-1 and 2-C-1, as well as the five (5) indoor parking spaces with references 1-P-052, 1-P-053, 1-P-054, 1-P-055, and 1-P-056, shall, however, only come into effect on 08/01/2024 and shall be made available to the Lessee from that date.
2.2. The Agreement is concluded for a term of nine (9) consecutive years starting from 12/12/2023, and shall terminate automatically on 12/11/2032, without notice, by the mere expiry of the term.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 4 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
2.3. The Lessee reserves the right to terminate the Agreement on 12/11/2026, subject to a notice period of six (6) months, communicated to the Lessor by registered letter, and on 12/11/2029, subject to a notice period of twelve (12) months, communicated to the Lessor by registered letter.
The Lessee shall owe a termination fee to the Lessor equal to:
| - | Three and a half (3.5) months’ base rental price in accordance with Article 3 of the Special Conditions in the event of termination on 12/11/2026; |
| - | One and a half (1.5) months’ base rental price in accordance with Article 3 of the Special Conditions in the event of termination on 12/11/2029. |
The termination fees referred to in this Article shall not be owed by the Lessee to the Lessor if the following conditions are cumulatively met:
| 1. | During the notice period, the Lessee shall propose a new prospective lessee to the Lessor, or the Lessor shall find a new prospective lessee willing to take over the Leased Premises under at least the same conditions, in particular but not limited to obtaining a minimum market rental price of €140.00/m2/year, adjusted for indexation, from the new prospective lessee; |
| 2. | The Lessor agrees to this new prospective lessee; |
| 3. | A new lease agreement shall be concluded by the Lessor with the prospective lessee referred to in point (1), with the lease commencing from the moment the Agreement with the Lessee has been terminated. |
| 4. | In the event that the new prospective lessee is introduced by the Lessor itself, the Lessee shall reimburse the Lessor for the brokerage and advertising costs incurred by the Lessor to find this prospective lessee, up to a maximum equal to the applicable termination fee at that time (i.e., 3.5 months’ rent after the 3rd year and 1.5 months’ rent after the 6th year). |
2.4. The Lessor has the right to terminate the Agreement on 12/11/2029, subject to a twelve (12) month notice period given to the Lessee by registered letter.
2.5. The Lessee shall only be entitled to take possession of the keys after payment of the initial advance payments for costs and charges, the signing of the incoming inspection report by both Parties in agreement, and provided that the security deposit has been validly constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 5 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| 3. | Rental Price |
3.1. This annual base rental price is mutually agreed upon at an amount of €181,500.00, and is composed as follows:
| Offices | €159,500.00 |
| Outdoor parking spaces | €12,500.00 |
| Indoor parking spaces | €9,500.00 |
3.2. The Parties expressly agree that this total rental price shall be payable from 12/12/2023, subject to the provisions further set out in Article 3.4 of the Special Conditions. The rental price is payable in accordance with the provisions of the General Conditions and into the account of the Lessor.
3.3. The rental price shall be adjusted annually (on December 12 of each year, starting from December 12, 2024) in accordance with the provisions of the General Conditions. The base index figure is the index figure of the month preceding the signing of the Agreement.
The Parties expressly agree that on the first anniversary of the Agreement, being 12/12/2024, the indexation shall be calculated on the total rental price in accordance with Article 3.1 of the Special Conditions. The amount of the rental price adjustment corresponding to the period prior to the lease of the office spaces with references 2-B-1 and 2-C-1, as well as the five (5) indoor parking spaces with references 1-P-52, 1-P-53, 1-P-054, 1-P-055, and 1-P-056, i.e., for the period from 12/12/2023 to 07/31/2024, shall be deducted by the Lessor from the rental price invoice as of 12/12/2024. This adjustment shall be made once by means of a credit note, which shall be sent by the Lessor to the Lessee together with the notice in accordance with Article 5.3 of the General Conditions (as amended in Article 10 of the Special Conditions).
The arrangement in the preceding paragraph shall only apply to the adjustment of the rental price on the first anniversary of the Agreement.
3.4. By way of an exceptional, personal, and one-time measure, the Lessor grants the Lessee a rent-free period equal to an amount of [***], which shall be applied from the commencement date of the Agreement until the amount is fully utilized. This rent discount is granted to the Lessee on the express condition that the Lessee complies with all of its obligations under the Agreement throughout the entire term of the lease, in particular, but not limited to the provisions regarding the bank guarantee and the payment of the rental amount and advance payments for costs and charges.
This rent-free period shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the provisions regarding the security deposit and the payment of advance payments.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 6 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
In the event of failure by the Lessee to strictly comply with all lease conditions, the rent discount provided for in this Article shall not apply, and the Lessor shall be entitled to claim the full rental price from the commencement of the Agreement.
This rent discount is granted in particular on the express condition of compliance with the terms of the Agreement, as set out in Article 2.2 of the Special Conditions, subject to Article 2.3 of the Special Conditions. However, if the Agreement is terminated before the end of this term at the Lessee’s expense, in accordance with Article 15 of the General Conditions, the Lessee shall repay to the Lessor the amount received by virtue of this rent-free period. In such a case, Article 8 of the General Conditions shall apply.
| 4. | Advance payments for costs and charges |
4.1 The Lessee shall pay advance payments for common costs owed by the Lessee in accordance with Article 7A of the General Conditions, and for individual costs that cannot be paid directly by the Lessee to the relevant company, increased by VAT and advance payments for property tax, regional/municipal taxes, in accordance with Article 7B of the General Conditions.
These advance payments are payable in accordance with the provisions of the General Conditions and into the account of the Lessor, and shall be determined on an annual basis as follows:
| a) | For the period from 12/12/2023 to 07/31/2024: |
| Type | Service charges (excl. VAT) | Taxes |
| Offices | €16,240.00 | €6,090.00 |
| Outdoor parking spaces | €550.00 | €600.00 |
| TOTAL | €16,790.00 | €6,690.00 |
| a) | From 08/01/2024: |
| Type | Service charges (excl. VAT) | Taxes |
| Offices | €44,000.00 | €16,500.00 |
| Indoor parking spaces | €850.00 | €930.00 |
| Outdoor parking spaces | €550.00 | €600.00 |
| TOTAL | €45,400.00 | €18,030.00 |
| 5. | Bank Guarantee – Initial Amount |
5.1. The Lessee shall provide a security deposit in accordance with the provisions of the General Conditions, in an amount equal to six (6) months’ rent, i.e., an initial amount of €90,750.00.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 7 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| 6. | Bank Account – Administrator |
6.1. The Lessor has appointed, as administrator for its properties in the Building, the company ALL YIELD NV, with registered office at [***] (hereinafter “the Administrator”).
6.2. All amounts payable to the Lessor under this Agreement shall be validly paid to the following account number, or to any other account that may be notified by the Lessor: [***].
| 7. | Expert inspection report |
7.1. For the preparation of the inspection report in accordance with Article 17 of the General Conditions, the Parties jointly appoint:
Mr. JOHAN DE PREZ, surveyor and real estate expert
[***]
[***]
[***]
Or
ASAM SA, surveyor and real estate expert
[***]
[***]
[***]
7.2. After completion of the works by the Lessee in accordance with Article 9.2 of the Special Conditions and by the Lessor in accordance with Article 9.3 of the Special Conditions, an addendum to the incoming inspection report shall be drawn up in accordance with Article 7.1 of the Special Conditions and Article 17 of the General Conditions.
7.3. After completion of the works by the Lessor in the offices referenced 2-B-1 and 2-C-1 in accordance with Article 9.1 of the Special Conditions, an addendum to the incoming inspection report shall be drawn up in accordance with Article 7.1 of the Special Conditions and Article 17 of the General Conditions.
| 8. | Registration |
8.1. Only for the collection of registration duties, the Parties estimate the costs and charges imposed on the Lessee by the Agreement at 10% of the annual rental price.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 8 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| 9. | (FURNISHING) WORKS |
9.1. The Lessor is willing, at its own expense, to carry out the following works in the Leased Premises, prior to the respective commencement date of the lease, subject to force majeure:
| - | Creation of an open-plan space by removing the existing interior walls; |
| - | Removal of the current three (3) entrance door(s) and the installation of new glass RF entrance door(s) (door type as used by the lessee The House of Development NV in the Building). Any modifications required as a result of the Lessee’s connection to the alarm and/or access control system are not included; |
| - | Smoothing/leveling the existing pillars where necessary and painting them in a neutral color (white or similar); |
| - | Painting all fixed walls in a neutral color (white or similar); |
| - | Replacement of all existing ceiling tiles; |
| - | Replacement of the existing fluorescent lighting with LED lighting; |
| - | Thorough cleaning of the window frames; |
| - | Inspection and statutory certification of the HVAC system. |
This agreement does not affect the Lessee’s contractual obligations regarding the maintenance and repair of the Leased Premises at the end of the Agreement.
9.2. The Lessee undertakes, after the respective commencement date of the lease, to remove the existing carpet and install a new carpet and/or equivalent flooring in the Leased Premises, using quality materials, in consultation with the Lessor and in compliance with the procedure set out in Article 9 of the General Conditions of the Agreement.
On the condition that the Lessee submits the invoices it has paid for the execution of these works in accordance with the Lessor’s approval, the Lessee shall benefit from an additional rent discount on top of and following the rent-free period provided for in Article 3.4 of the Special Conditions, up to a fixed maximum amount of €22,997.70. The Lessor shall deduct the aforementioned invoices received from the Lessee (taking into account the aforementioned maximum amount) from the invoicing of the rents following the rent-free period provided for in Article 3.4 of the Special Conditions.
9.3. The Lessor shall arrange for the disconnection of the charging stations from the low-voltage panel and the electricity meter of the Leased Premises as soon as possible after the signing of the Agreement. The Lessor shall inform the Lessee in due time about the schedule and the exact timing of these works. This disconnection shall also be jointly recorded by the Parties in the addendum to the incoming inspection report, in accordance with Article 7.2 of the Special Conditions of the Agreement.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 9 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| 10. | Special Deviating Provisions |
The Parties have agreed to the following additional deviations:
| a) | Regarding the General Conditions of the Agreement: |
| · | With regard to Articles 1.1 and 17.1, the Lessor hereby declares that it has no knowledge of any easements by which the Leased Premises may be encumbered or benefited. |
| · | Article 5.3, 1st sentence, is replaced by the following: “The adjustment of the rental price based on the above formula shall be made by the Lessee following timely notification by the Lessor.” |
| · | In Article 6.3, 1st sentence, the terms “six (6) months” are replaced by “four (4) months”. |
| · | Article 6.7 is replaced by the following: “Independent of this security deposit, and in accordance with Article 1752 of the former Civil Code, the Lessee must equip the Leased Premises with furniture and furnishings of sufficient value to secure at least six months of the applicable rental price.” |
| · | In Article 7.12, 2nd paragraph, last sentence, the terms “ten (10) working days” are replaced by “thirty (30) calendar days”; |
| · | In Article 7.17, 3rd paragraph, last sentence, the terms “ten (10) working days” are replaced by “thirty (30) calendar days”; |
| · | In Article 8.2, the interest rate of 10% is replaced by the statutory interest rate applicable as provided for in the law of August 2, 2002, on combating late payment in commercial transactions; |
| · | The following sentence in Article 11.1 shall be deemed not written: “Furthermore, the Lessee unconditionally waives any claim that it could file under Articles 1386 and 1721 of the former Civil Code.” |
| · | Article 14.2 is supplemented with the following sentence: “If, as a result of a partial expropriation of the Leased Premises, the Lessee demonstrates that the normal use of the Leased Premises has become impossible, the Agreement shall also terminate on the date on which the expropriating authority takes possession of the Leased Premises.” |
| · | Article 16.2, 2nd sentence, is replaced by the following: “The Party invoking force majeure must inform the other Party of the reason for the inability of performance within a period of eight (8) calendar days and by registered letter.” |
| · | Article 18.2 is replaced by the following: “In the event of a transfer of all or part of the Leased Premises and/or the Building, or in the event of a change of control of the Lessor’s company, the buyer or Lessor may terminate the Agreement without any compensation being due, within three (3) months after the sale or change of control, with a notice period of eighteen (18) months, served by registered letter and clearly stating the reasons for termination.” |
| · | In Article 19.1, the last sentence shall be considered as not written. |
| · | Article 19.3, 2nd paragraph, shall be considered as not written. |
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 10 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| · | Article 22.1, last sentence, is replaced by the following: “The Lessee furthermore undertakes to comply at all times with the laws and regulations applicable to its activity, as well as with any reasonable written instruction given by the Lessor or its Administrator.” |
| · | With regard to Article 23.1, the Lessor declares that, as soon as possible after signing the Agreement, it will provide signage for the Lessee in the common areas of the Building, following the example of the existing lessees. |
| b) | Regarding the Internal Rules and Regulations: |
| · | Article 18, the last sentence in fine, is supplemented with the following terms: “without prejudice to Article 11 of the General Conditions of the Agreement”. |
The provisions of this Article are strictly personal to the Lessee and may not be transferred, even in the context of a permitted transfer.
| 11. | Confidentiality |
The financial terms and conditions set out in this Agreement are strictly confidential and shall be respected by the Lessee, provided that (i) the Lessee may share this information with its directors, existing and potential shareholders, and its professional advisors, and (ii) the Lessee may disclose this information if required to do so in order to comply with its legal or regulatory obligations.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 11 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| II. GENERAL CONDITIONS |
| 1. | Object |
1.1. The Lessor leases to the Lessee, who accepts, the Leased Premises as described in Article 1 of the Special Conditions of this Agreement, together with all easements by which they may be encumbered or benefited.
1.2. The Lessee is well acquainted with the Leased Premises, having inspected them, and declares that no further description is required other than that set out in the inspection report, which was jointly prepared by the Parties prior to the commencement of the lease.
1.3. The areas mentioned in the Special Conditions are provided for indicative purposes only. The Parties may not request an increase or decrease in the rental price if the stated areas prove to be incorrect.
| 2. | Purpose/Zoning – Urban Planning |
2.1. The Leased Premises, as set out in Article 1 of the Special Conditions, may be used exclusively as follows: the office space is leased solely for use as offices; the parking spaces may only be used for the parking of cars, light commercial vehicles, and motorcycles; and the storage rooms may only be used for storing goods. The storage of hazardous (toxic, highly flammable, etc.) products in the Leased Premises is expressly prohibited.
2.2. If the Lessee changes this permitted use without the prior, specific, and written consent of the Lessor, the latter shall have the right to demand termination (in accordance with Article 15 of the General Conditions) of the Agreement to the detriment of the Lessee, as the Parties expressly agree that any change in use constitutes a serious contractual breach.
2.3. The designation of the use of the Leased Premises does not constitute any commitment or obligation on the part of the Lessor to ensure that this use is or will remain guaranteed, except in cases of willful concealment or fraud. The Lessor shall make reasonable efforts to preserve the permitted use of the Leased Premises.
2.4. It is expressly agreed that the Lessee alone is responsible for obtaining all necessary information, strictly complying with all urban planning regulations, and, to the exclusion of any responsibility of the Lessor, obtaining all necessary authorizations and permits for the operation of its activity. The Lessee accepts and declares that it will comply with all obligations arising therefrom and will be responsible for all formalities in this regard.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 12 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
In the context of its operations, the Lessee shall comply with all legal and regulatory requirements.
2.5. Both upon the commencement of the Agreement and during its term, the Lessee shall, at its own expense, carry out all works, modifications, or extensions of the Leased Premises necessary to bring the Leased Premises into compliance with the agreed use, as well as with all legal, administrative, professional, or other existing or future regulations, regardless of the scope, concerning the nature of its operations, hygiene, health, public safety, or workplace safety. The Lessee undertakes to carry out these works at its own expense and under its sole responsibility, without involvement of the Lessor, and to perform these works in a workmanlike manner using quality materials.
2.6. Under no circumstances shall any restrictions, obligations, or changes related to the activity that the Lessee carries out or intends to carry out in the Leased Premises release the Lessee from its obligations under the Agreement, and in particular from the obligation to continue the lease and pay the rental amount. In such a case, he shall request the Lessor’s consent for a change in the use of the Leased Premises in accordance with the applicable laws or regulations.
2.7. Accordingly, the Lessee must personally ensure the payment of all amounts, levies, taxes, and other charges related to the activities it carries out in the Leased Premises or for the use of the Leased Premises.
2.8. If the Lessee carries out an activity without possessing the required permits, it shall be liable for all harmful consequences that may result for the Lessor, and must indemnify the Lessor against all claims, complaints, or other demands that may be brought against it as a result of such activity.
2.9. Except insofar as deviated from in this Agreement, and for all matters not expressly provided for in this Agreement, this lease shall be governed by general law and the customary practices regarding the lease of offices.
2.10. Under no circumstances may the Lessee use the Leased Premises for purposes that would cause this Agreement to fall under the application of the Act of April 30, 1951, on Commercial Leases. The Lessee is also prohibited from holding a public sale in the Leased Premises.
| 3. | Term – Commencement |
3.1. The lease commences on the date specified in Article 2.1 of the Special Conditions. Upon the expiry of the period referred to in Article 2.2 of the Special Conditions, this Agreement shall cease to have any effect, unless the Agreement is extended with the mutual and written consent of the Parties.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 13 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
3.2. Under no circumstances may the Agreement be tacitly extended. The mere fact that the Lessee continues to use the Leased Premises after the expiry of this Agreement, and/or continues to pay rent, shall in no case be considered as a tacit extension of the lease or a renewal of the tenancy. Any extension of the Agreement shall be subject to a written agreement between the Parties. If the Lessee wishes to obtain any extension of the Agreement, the Lessee shall submit a written request to the Lessor, at least twelve (12) months before the end of the Agreement, by registered mail. If the regime of Article 1738 of the (former) Civil Code were to apply, the Agreement may at any time be terminated by either Party with six (6) months’ notice given by registered letter. This provision shall in no way confer any right on the Lessee to any potential extension.
3.3. The term of this Agreement and its fundamentally non-terminable nature, except as may be otherwise provided for in the Special Conditions, constitute essential conditions of the Agreement, without which the Lessor would not have entered into the contract, and which formed the basis for determining the lease conditions.
| 4. | Rental Price |
4.1. The lease is granted and accepted in consideration of the payment of the annual base rental price set out in the Special Conditions.
4.2. The rental price shall be payable in advance on a quarterly basis, no later than the first day of each new quarter (i.e., January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 - these dates shall be considered as due dates). The rental price for the period between the commencement of the lease and the first due date shall be payable no later than the commencement date of the Agreement.
4.3. The rental price shall become automatically due on the due date. The expiry of the stipulated term shall constitute a formal notice of default.
4.4. The rental price due for the period between the commencement of the lease and the end of the first quarter of the lease shall be calculated on a pro rata basis. The rental price for the period preceding the end of the lease shall also, where applicable, be reduced on a pro rata basis.
| 5. | Indexation |
5.1. The Parties expressly agree that the base rental price mentioned in Article 3 of the Special Conditions is linked to the health index published in the Belgian Official Gazette.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 14 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
5.2. Without ever being lower than the base rental price, the rental price shall be adjusted each year on the anniversary of the commencement of this Agreement according to the following formula:
| Base rental price x new index figure | ||
| Base index figure |
For the purposes of this Article, it is specified that:
| - | The base rental price is that which was agreed upon in the Special Conditions, excluding the costs and charges imposed on the Lessee under this Agreement. |
| - | The new index figure is the index figure of the month preceding the anniversary of the commencement date. |
| - | The base index figure is the index figure specified in the Special Conditions. |
5.3. The adjustment of the rental price based on the above formula shall be made automatically by the Lessee without the need for a formal notice of default from the Lessor. Any silence on the part of the Lessor can in no case be interpreted as a waiver of the right to annual indexation. It is expressly agreed that such a waiver by the Lessor can only be established by a written agreement signed by the Lessor.
5.4. If the “health index” is no longer mandatorily applicable to lease agreements, the rental price amount shall be linked to the consumer price index. In the event that the calculation basis of the consumer price index is changed or the index is abolished, the Parties expressly agree to link the rental price to the new system that replaces this index, provided that the rental price shall in no case be lower than the last rental price calculated based on the previous method of calculating the index.
In the absence of a new criterion for indexation, the base rental price shall be indexed based on the cost of living. The Parties shall use all reasonable efforts to agree on a replacement formula.
5.5. If mandatory legislation or regulations were to affect the economic balance of the Agreement, for example by prohibiting the indexation of the rent amount or by stipulating that property taxes cannot be charged to the Lessee, the Parties declare that they wish to maintain the economic balance as it existed at the time of entering into the Agreement or at the last modification of the lease conditions.
In order to determine the necessary amendments to the Agreement, and in particular the adjustment of rental amounts necessary to maintain the economic balance, an expert shall be appointed by the Parties by mutual agreement, or, failing such agreement, by the competent Justice of the Peace at the request of the most diligent Party. The Parties shall entrust this expert with the task of amending the Agreement, and in particular the rental price, in order to maintain the economic balance, regardless of mandatory legislation or regulations, or unforeseen circumstances that have arisen since the last determination of the lease conditions, provided that the rental price shall not, however, be lower than the initial base rental price or the rental price set following the last adjustment.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 15 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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| 6. | Guarantee |
6.1. As guarantee for the proper performance of the Lessee’s obligations, the Lessee shall, no later than the commencement date of this Agreement, provide a guarantee in favor of the Lessor for an initial amount as set out in the Special Conditions.
6.2. The guarantee shall take the form of an autonomous, unilateral, irrevocable, and abstract bank guarantee, payable on first demand (callable by registered mail), issued by a Belgian banking institution of good reputation and sound financial standing with its registered office in Belgium, and governed by Belgian law, approved by the Lessor. The guarantee secures any contractual claim that the Lessor may bring against the Lessee under the Agreement or arising from circumstances occurring during the term of the Agreement. In the event of a call on the guarantee, the amount requested shall be unconditionally paid by the bank to the Lessor, regardless of any objection by the Lessee.
6.3. The bank guarantee shall commence on the commencement date of this Agreement and shall remain in force for the entire duration of the Lessee’s occupancy, including in the event of renewal, express or tacit extension, until it is established that the Lessee has fulfilled all of its obligations under this Agreement, with a minimum of six (6) months after the Lessee’s departure and in no case earlier than the end date of the Agreement. This guarantee may not be revoked without the formal and written consent of the Lessor. The guarantee shall be transferable to any eventual purchaser of the Building or the Leased Premises.
6.4. The Lessee may under no circumstances offer the guarantee, in whole or in part, as payment of its contractual debts under the Agreement or arising from circumstances occurring during the term of the Agreement. In the event of default by the Lessee, the Lessor may, however, use the guarantee to offset the arrears of rental price, advance payments, and more generally, any amounts owed by the Lessee to the Lessor.
6.5. The amount of the guarantee shall be adjusted each time the rental price increases by 10% as a result of the indexation pursuant to Article 5 of the General Conditions. If the Lessor uses the guarantee in whole or in part, the guarantee must be replenished so that it is at all times in favor of the Lessor at least equal to the amount specified in the Special Conditions.
6.6. The Parties expressly agree that the failure of the Lessee to make the guarantee valid constitutes a serious breach, on the basis of which the Lessor may seek the judicial termination of the Agreement at the Lessee’s expense.
6.7. Independent of this guarantee, and in accordance with Article 1752 of the former Civil Code, the Lessee must equip the Leased Premises with furniture and furnishings of sufficient value to secure one (1) year of the applicable rental price.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 16 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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| 7. | Costs and charges |
| A. | Costs |
| a. | Individual costs |
7.1. All costs, consumption, and charges relating to the Lessee’s occupancy shall be borne by the Lessee, in particular the fees and costs for the consumption of water, gas, heating oil, and electricity of the private premises, as well as the fees and costs for the installation and rental of meters and measuring devices.
7.2. The individual electricity consumption within the leased office space shall be determined using a dedicated meter for the Lessee. The Lessee must conclude a contract directly with a Belgian energy supplier.
7.3. The Lessor reserves the right to bill water and gas based on actual consumption in the future, to pass on the cost to the Lessee, and to request a provision from the Lessee for this purpose.
7.4. Any subscriptions for telephone, fax, cable TV, and internet, as well as all related costs, such as connection fees, rental, and consumption charges, shall be borne by the Lessee. The Lessee shall make such payments directly to the relevant company.
7.5. The Lessee is entitled to install other communication equipment. The costs for the installation and use thereof shall also be borne by the Lessee and shall be paid directly to the relevant company.
7.6. The Lessor does not guarantee the connection to or the proper functioning of any distribution or communication network.
7.7. If in the future, the division of a floor results in the private use of certain common areas, the costs and charges related to such use shall be borne solely by the respective users of that floor. The maintenance of the relevant common areas in private use shall not be the responsibility of the Lessor or its Administrator, except by express agreement between the Parties.
| b. | Service Charges |
7.8. The Lessee shall contribute its pro rata share of the service charges relating to the Building, based on the number of units of the Leased Premises and their respective functions, as set out in Article 1 of the Special Conditions, relative to the total number of units in the Building. The total number of units in the Building amounts to 12,560. These service charges are subject to VAT.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 17 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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These costs are calculated based on the allocation keys used by the Lessor or its Administrator in order to individualize, as far as possible, the costs and consumption of each lessee. The Parties expressly agree that the Lessor may at any time adjust the method of calculating the common costs based on allocation keys that allow the costs and consumption of each lessee to be individualized as accurately as possible.
7.9. The service charges relate to, among other things, the central facilities, common and service areas, and the services provided by the Lessor for the benefit of the lessees and from which the lessees derive benefit. These service charges include, among others, the following items:
| - | the consumption of fuel, water, and electricity; the operation, inspection, maintenance, repairs, and any replacement of parts of the heating, cooling, air-handling and booster pump installations; and the installation or rental of any intermediate meters; |
| - | the consumption of fuel in the common areas; |
| - | the electrical power, operation, rental, subscription and consumption of the telephone system, as well as the inspection, maintenance, repairs and any replacement of parts of the elevator; |
| - | the electrical power, operation, rental, subscription and the use of the telephone installation system, as well as its inspection, maintenance, repairs and any replacement; |
| - | the rental of the internal telephone installation system and of other security or surveillance systems. the electrical power, operation, inspection, maintenance, repairs, and any replacement of parts of these installations; |
| - | the maintenance, electricity consumption, operation, inspection, repairs, and any replacement of parts of the lighting installations in the common and service areas, of the exterior lighting, the emergency power equipment, and of the distribution boards in general; |
| - | the maintenance of the flower boxes, the care and replacement of plants in the common areas, and the maintenance and replacement of other amenities and/or decorative features in general; |
| - | the periodic cleaning of the common areas and of the common amenities and/or decorative features; |
| - | the subscription for water supply, and the inspection, maintenance, and repairs of the central supply and drainage systems and sewers; |
| - | the risk of glass breakage, and the periodic cleaning and washing of windows in the common areas and service areas; |
| - | the periodic washing of the exterior of the windows forming part of the Leased Premises, including the maintenance, inspection, repairs, and any replacement of parts of the installations; |
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 18 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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| - | costs, fees, lodging, salaries, social charges, insurance costs, and allowances, to the extent applicable, relating to the concierge and staff employed for the administration, maintenance, cleaning, supervision, and security of the Building; |
| - | the rental, maintenance, and any replacement of fire extinguishers and other fire protection systems, both in the Leased Premises (if applicable) and in the common and service areas; |
| - | the insurance premiums and deductibles relating to all policies taken out for the Building, and for its management and maintenance; |
| - | storage, transport, and collection of household waste, including replacement, as well as the rental or purchase of household waste containers; |
| - | the emptying of pits, including septic, toilet, and cesspools, and the unblocking of sanitary pipes; |
| - | the cleaning of the chimney and ventilation ducts; |
| - | the costs resulting from criminal acts or vandalism by persons whether or not associated with the Building; |
| - | any other services and special facilities which the Lessor organizes for the proper operation of the whole; and |
| - | the fee for the management of the Building. |
The above list is provided for informational purposes only and is therefore not exhaustive.
| c. | Provision |
7.10. The Lessee shall pay advance payments quarterly and in advance to the Lessor for the above-mentioned service charges and, where applicable, for private use, simultaneously with the payment of the rental amount, the initial amount of which is set out in Article 4 of the Special Conditions of the Agreement.
These advance payments shall become automatically due on the due date, without prior notice of default.
The first advance payments due for the period between the commencement of the lease and the end of the first quarter shall be calculated on a pro rata basis. The advance payments relating to the period preceding the end of the lease shall, where applicable, be reduced on a pro rata temporis basis.
7.11. The advance payments are only an estimate, and the determination of the amount of the advance payments does not entail any obligation on the part of the Lessor regarding their correspondence with the actual costs.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 19 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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7.12. The Lessor or its Administrator shall ensure that the Lessee receives an annual statement of the actual service charges and, where applicable, private consumption. If it appears that the advance payments paid by the Lessee during the year are insufficient to cover the actual expenses, the balance shall be invoiced to the Lessee. If it appears that the advance payments paid by the Lessee during the year exceed the actual expenses, the difference shall be refunded to him or deducted from the next invoice.
The amount of the advance payments shall be adjusted periodically in order to align it with the actual costs of the preceding year. The Lessor shall inform the Lessee of any adjustment to the advance payments by means of a notice. The Lessee may contest the adjustment with reasons within ten (10) working days from the postmark of the notice, and in the absence of any response within the aforementioned period, the adjustment shall be deemed accepted.
7.13. The VAT applicable to the service charges and individual costs shall be borne by the Lessee.
7.14. The Lessee shall be entitled to inspect the invoices relating to the actual costs, by appointment, at the offices of the Lessor or its Administrator.
| B. | Charges |
7.15. All present and future taxes, levies, and contributions, of any kind, ordinary or special, permanent or temporary, including property tax and any other tax on real estate, taxes relating to the Lessee’s activity or the occupation of the Leased Premises, whether payable to the State, the Region, the Province, the Municipality, or any other governmental authority, which may apply to the rent or occupation of the Leased Premises, as well as VAT to the extent it is charged to the Lessee or relates to the rent, shall be borne exclusively by the Lessee. This list is not exhaustive. If the Lessee, due to its activity, is entitled to a (partial) tax exemption, it must provide the necessary certificates to the Lessor.
7.16. The Lessor reserves the right to require the Lessee to pay advance payments, payable in advance on a quarterly basis together with the rent, in an amount as specified in Article 4 of the Special Conditions of this Agreement.
Where applicable, these advance payments shall become automatically due on the due date. The expiry of the stipulated term shall constitute a formal notice of default.
The first advance payments due for the period between the commencement of the lease and the end of the first quarter shall be calculated on a pro rata basis. The advance payments relating to the period preceding the end of the lease shall, where applicable, be reduced on a pro rata temporis basis.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 20 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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7.17. These advance payments are only an estimate, and the determination of the amount of the advance payments does not entail any obligation on the part of the Lessor regarding their correspondence with the actual costs.
The Lessor or its Manager shall ensure that the Lessee receives an annual statement of the actual charges. If it appears that the advance payments paid by the Lessee during the year are insufficient to cover the actual expenses, the balance shall be invoiced to the Lessee. If it appears that the advance payments paid by the Lessee during the year exceed the actual expenses, the difference shall be refunded to the Lessee or deducted from the next invoice.
The amount of the advance payments shall be adjusted periodically in order to align it with the actual costs of the preceding year. The Lessor shall notify the Lessee of any increase in the advance payments. The Lessee may contest the increase with reasons within ten (10) working days from the postmark of the notice, and in the absence of any response within the aforementioned period, the increase shall be deemed accepted.
7.18. If a statutory provision were to impose the property tax or other taxes, levies, or contributions, in whole or in part, on the Lessor, the Lessor reserves the right to restore the economic balance between the Parties by increasing the rental price by an amount equal to that of such tax, levy, or contribution.
7.19. The Lessee shall be entitled to inspect the invoices relating to the actual costs, by appointment, at the offices of the Lessor or its Administrator.
| 8. | Payment terms |
8.1. All amounts payable by the Lessee under this Agreement shall be paid to the Lessor at the bank account specified in the Special Conditions or by any other means that the Lessor may notify the Lessee of during the term of the Agreement.
8.2. Without prejudice to the Lessor’s other rights and claims, any amount due from the Lessee shall, by operation of law and subject to a prior formal notice, accrue interest at a rate of 10% per annum from the due date, with each commenced month counted as a full month, as well as an administrative fee of €25.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 21 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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| 9. | Alterations to the Leased Premises |
9.1. Except for less stringent mandatory legal provisions, the Lessee may not carry out any alterations, modifications, construction, or demolition work, other than mere repair or maintenance work, to the Leased Premises without the prior express written consent of the Lessor. When requesting consent to carry out the works, the Lessee must submit the plans and specifications relating to the proposed works to the Lessor. The Lessor’s refusal does not need to be justified, and any consent granted may be subject to certain conditions.
9.2. The Lessor has the right to supervise or have supervised the approved works. However, such works shall be carried out solely under the responsibility of the Lessee, who shall provide the necessary insurance coverage and submit proof thereof to the Lessor no later than one (1) month before the commencement of the works. The Lessee shall indemnify the Lessor against any complaints and/or claims from anyone, including other lessees, neighbors, and third parties, arising from such works. The Lessee shall ensure that the private installations, fit-out, or alteration works in the Leased Premises do not impair the general operation of the Building.
9.3. The Lessee must carry out the works in a workmanlike manner and may only commence the works after having obtained all necessary permits and/or approvals required for their execution.
9.4. The works shall be carried out by recognized contractors and supervised by an architect registered with the Order of Architects, as well as a safety coordinator. The Lessee shall provide the Lessor with a list of all professionals who will be involved in these works. The Lessee shall comply with all applicable safety obligations, including those imposed by insurance companies and/or fire services. The Lessor must be invited to attend the provisional and final handovers. Under no circumstances shall the contractors use the common areas of the Building for the passage of personnel and/or materials necessary for the execution of the works, except with the prior written consent of the Lessor. In the event such permission is granted, the Lessee shall be required to have an inspection report drawn up for the common areas prior to the commencement of the works and shall be liable to compensate the Lessor for any damage that may be found in the common areas at the end of said works, without any possibility of objection.
9.5. The Lessee’s works shall not cause any inconvenience to the other lessees in the Building. Where applicable, the Lessor may order the immediate cessation of the works and require that the Lessee’s works be carried out outside office hours.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 22 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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9.6. At the end of the works, the Lessee shall provide the Lessor with a complete post-intervention dossier (PID). In the event of non-compliance with this obligation, the Lessee shall owe the Lessor compensation equal to the cost of preparing this PID subsequently by a safety coordinator appointed by the Lessor.
9.7. The Lessor shall be entitled to demand the demolition and restoration of any works and alterations carried out by the Lessee in violation of this Article. To this end, he shall serve the Lessee with a formal notice of default by registered mail. If the Lessee fails or refuses to carry out the requested reconstruction, demolition, or removal within one (1) month after such formal notice of default, the Lessor shall be entitled to carry out the necessary works himself, at the expense and risk of the defaulting Lessee.
| 10. | Maintenance and Repairs of the Leased Premises |
| A. | Obligations of the Lessor |
10.1. The Lessor shall only be responsible for major repairs in accordance with Article 3.154, §1 of the Civil Code, except for repairs whose costs clearly exceed the benefits of the property pursuant to the aforementioned Article 3.154, §1, as well as any future amendments to this Article. Also excluded are any structures or construction works erected by the Lessee or at his request, insofar as such works have not become necessary due to the fault, negligence, or culpability of the Lessee.
| B. | To be borne by the Lessee |
10.2. The Lessee shall, at his own expense, be responsible for the maintenance and all repair works that are not the responsibility of the Lessor under this Article, regardless of their nature or scope.
The Lessee is specifically obliged to keep, repair, and maintain the Leased Premises and the installations located therein, or installed by the Lessee during the term of the Agreement, in good condition, working order, safety, and cleanliness. The Lessee shall carry out repairs whenever necessary and, if required, replace anything that cannot be repaired.
The Lessee shall, at its own expense, equip the Leased Premises with all materials required in accordance with the standards and regulations, whether existing or future, of any competent administrative authority, as well as those of the Lessee’s or Lessor’s insurers.
The Lessee shall be obliged, among other things, and without this list being considered exhaustive, to maintain, repair, and replace any private installations (heating, lighting, electricity, gas, plumbing, etc.), taps, pipes and drainage, windows, doors, wall and floor coverings, curtains, blinds, sunshades, solar screens, etc.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 23 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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The Lessee shall be obliged to clean and periodically inspect the chimneys and private heating installation at least once a year, as well as upon vacating the Leased Premises, and shall provide the Lessor with the corresponding inspection certificates.
The Lessee shall also protect the pipes and installations against freezing and ensure that the sanitary installations, pipes, and sewers do not become clogged.
10.3. The Lessor may, by registered letter, require the Lessee to carry out all repair and maintenance works for which the latter is responsible and may demand that these works be completed no later than two (2) months after the sending of the registered letter. If the Lessee fails to carry out these works after receiving the registered letter, the Lessor may, no earlier than two (2) months after the aforementioned registered letter, have these works carried out at the Lessee’s expense, without prejudice to the Lessor’s right to claim damages or to terminate the Agreement in such case.
10.4. The Lessor may, however, assume part or all of these obligations, which under this Article are the responsibility of the Lessee, for a certain period of time. In such a case, the costs incurred by the Lessor shall be borne by the Lessee and shall form part of the common costs as referred to in Article 7A of the General Conditions.
| C. | Works Carried Out by the Lessor |
10.5. The Lessee accepts the execution of all works, even if they last more than forty (40) days, that are necessary during the term of the Agreement to enable the Lessor to duly and promptly fulfil his obligations, without any compensation or reduction of the rental price. In doing so, the Lessor shall take all reasonable measures to minimize the inconvenience to the Lessee and shall inform the Lessee in due time of the commencement and progress of the works, so as to ensure that the normal use of the Leased Premises by the Lessee remains possible.
The Lessee shall, without any compensation, grant access to the Leased Premises to the Lessor, his employees, architects, experts, workers, or any other person designated by the Lessor to inspect the condition of the Leased Premises and the Building in general, or to carry out the necessary inspections and works.
The Lessor has the right to install, maintain, use, repair, and replace pipes, ducts, and other utilities serving other parts of the Building that pass through the Leased Premises, while taking all possible measures to minimize any inconvenience caused to the Lessee by such works.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 24 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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10.6. As soon as the Lessee becomes aware of it, he shall notify the Lessor by registered letter of any repairs for which the Lessor is responsible in accordance with the provisions of this Article, within seven (7) working days of becoming aware thereof, unless the matter is urgent (depending on the type of repair and/or nature of the damage). In the latter case, the Lessee shall immediately inform the Lessor of the necessity to carry out a repair. In the absence thereof, the Lessee shall be liable for the damage and for all other consequential losses resulting therefrom.
| 11. | Insurance Policies |
| A. | Waiver of Recourse |
11.1. The Lessor and the Lessee mutually waive, except in the event of willful misconduct or fraud, any recourse they may have against each other in the event of damage covered by the insurance policies referred to below, for any material or immaterial damage or loss they may suffer. This mutual waiver of recourse shall be communicated by each of the Parties to their respective insurers. This waiver of recourse does not apply to the various deductibles provided for in the insurance contracts, nor to the obligations deviating from common law that are included in this Agreement. This waiver of recourse shall benefit both the Lessor and the companies of its group, as well as their staff.
Furthermore, the Lessee unconditionally waives any claim that it could bring under Articles 1386 and 1721 of the former Civil Code.
| B. | Insurance Policies to be Taken Out by the Lessee |
11.2. The Lessee is required, at his own expense and for the entire duration of the Agreement, to insure his equipment, all immovable fittings, alterations, and improvements, regardless of ownership, by means of an insurance policy covering fire and related risks, including all possible natural disasters, theft, terrorism, vandalism, and glass breakage, for an adequate amount. The Lessee shall also cover his civil liability for an amount of at least €1,250,000.
11.3. These various insurance contracts must provide that the subrogated insurers waive any recourse against the Lessor and its Administrator and must contain a clause stipulating that such contracts may not be amended, cancelled, terminated, or invalidated except after a period of thirty (30) days commencing on the day following the date on which the insurer sends a registered letter to the Lessor notifying its intention to take such action. Failing this, the insurers shall remain bound towards the Lessor to the extent that the latter may claim all or part of the compensation arising from these contracts.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 25 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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11.4. The Lessee shall, on his own initiative, take out any other insurance policies that may be legally required and any policies he deems useful.
11.5. The Lessee shall provide the Lessor with a copy of the insurance certificates (containing at least the following information: maximum coverage with a description of the scope, coverage period, exclusions, and waiver of recourse) prior to the commencement of the Agreement, together with proof of payment thereof. The absence of insurance, insurance deemed inadequate, refusal, or even inability to provide the required supporting documents shall entitle the Lessor to take out or supplement the necessary insurance policies at the Lessee’s cost and expense, without prejudice to the Lessor’s right to pursue termination of the Agreement, by any legal means, on the grounds of gross negligence.
| C. | Insurance Policies to be Taken Out by the Lessor |
11.6. The Lessor shall insure the Building against fire and related risks, including all possible natural disasters.
11.7. A summary of the terms of this policy may be provided to the Lessee upon request, so that he may, as stated above, independently and with full knowledge, take out any insurance policies and/or supplementary policies he deems necessary.
11.8. If the activities of the Lessee or of persons for whom he is liable result in an increase in the insurance premiums payable by the Lessor and the other lessees of the Building, such increase shall be borne exclusively by the Lessee.
11.9. All premiums and premium supplements payable by the Lessor pursuant to the foregoing obligations shall be borne by the Lessee and shall be included in the common costs, as provided above. If, however, a loss is attributable to the Lessee, the deductible shall be charged to him exclusively.
| 12. | Safety and Regulations |
12.1. The Lessee undertakes to provide in the Leased Premises the necessary equipment for the prevention and control of fire, in accordance with the legal requirements or the regulations of the competent administrative authority or the insurance companies of the Lessee and/or the Lessor. The Lessee shall provide this equipment at his own expense. The Lessee must furthermore comply with all applicable legal obligations in this regard.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 26 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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12.2. Under all circumstances, the Lessee shall remain solely responsible for maintaining the Leased Premises in compliance with any legislation, regulation, instruction, or notice issued by the competent authorities, including but not limited to the ARAB (General Regulations for Labor Protection) and the AREI (General Regulations for Electrical Installations), as well as any legislation that may become applicable to the Leased Premises during the entire term of the Agreement.
12.3. Works imposed by administrative regulations based on the Lessee’s activity shall be borne by the latter, without his being entitled, upon departure, to claim reimbursement thereof from the Lessor, nor to invoke the termination of the Agreement for any reason whatsoever. Such works shall be governed by Article 9 of the General Conditions.
12.4. The maximum permitted load on the floors, including the weight of interior partition walls, may not exceed 300 kg/m², unless otherwise specified in the internal regulations.
| 13. | Assignment and Sublease |
13.1. The Lessee may not assign or sublease the Leased Premises, in whole or in part, except with the express, prior, and written consent of the Lessor, whose consent may be made subject to any conditions he deems necessary. If the Lessee wishes to assign his lease, in whole or in part, he shall submit the signed deed of assignment or sublease agreement to the Lessor, which must necessarily include a suspensive condition of obtaining the Lessor’s written approval. At the Lessor’s first request, the Lessee shall provide all reasonable and/or relevant information that the Lessor may require concerning the prospective assignee or sublessee.
13.2. If the Lessor permits the sublease, the Lessee shall ensure that the rights and obligations provided for in the Agreement are incorporated into the sublease contract. In the absence of such an undertaking by the assignee or sublessee, the assignment or sublease may not take place, even if expressly authorized by the Lessor. The term of the sublease may never exceed the duration of the Agreement.
13.3. If the Lessor permits the assignment or sublease, the assignor and the assignee, or the Lessee and the sublessee, shall be jointly and severally liable towards the Lessor for the performance of all obligations arising from the Agreement until the end of its term.
13.4. The Lessee shall provide the Lessor with a copy of the registered sublease or assignment agreement within thirty (30) days of its registration.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 27 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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13.5. It is reiterated that the designated use of the Leased Premises constitutes an essential element of the Agreement, and no assignment or sublease may be submitted to the Lessor for approval under this Article if the assignee or sublessee is unable to comply with this essential condition in the context of the operation of the Leased Premises.
13.6. At the Lessor’s first request, the Lessee shall be obliged to immediately evict any persons occupying the Leased Premises in violation of the provisions of this Agreement.
| 14. | Expropriation |
14.1. In the event of expropriation for reasons of public utility of the Leased Premises and/or the Building, the Lessor shall notify the Lessee thereof. In the event of expropriation of the entirety of the Leased Premises, the Agreement shall terminate on the date on which the expropriating authority takes possession of the Leased Premises. Until that date, the Lessee shall be required to comply with all of his obligations under this Agreement.
14.2. If the expropriation concerns only a part of the Leased Premises, the Agreement shall be terminated only with respect to the expropriated portions of the Leased Premises, as from the date on which the expropriating authority takes possession of that part of the Leased Premises. Until that date, the Lessee shall be required to comply with all of his obligations under this Agreement with respect to the entirety of the Leased Premises. Thereafter, the rental price and charges shall be adjusted in proportion to the reduction in the surface area of the Leased Premises.
14.3. The Lessee may not claim any compensation from the Lessor. He may only seek recourse against the expropriating authority; it being understood that any compensation he may claim shall not reduce the compensation to which the Lessor is entitled.
| 15. | Attributable Non-Performance of the Agreement – Sanctions |
15.1. Any instance in which the Lessee fails, through his own fault, to comply with a provision of the Agreement shall entitle the Lessor, after serving a notice of default by registered letter to which no response is given within fifteen (15) calendar days of dispatch, to seek the judicial termination of the Agreement at the expense of the Lessee.
15.2. Furthermore, the Lessor may seek the judicial termination of the Agreement in the event of bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, or apparent insolvency. In such cases, no prior notice of default shall be required. The Parties acknowledge that in such cases the relationship of trust is irreparably damaged and that any notice of default would be futile.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 28 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
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15.3. The Lessor’s request for termination of the Agreement shall not relieve the Lessee of its obligations, in particular those relating to the payment of the rental price, charges, and expenses up to the date of termination of the Agreement, as well as the obligation to pay any compensation for rental damage and to reimburse any fit-out works and/or rent-free periods.
15.4. The Lessee acknowledges that any early termination of this Agreement would affect the financial balance established between the Parties upon the conclusion of this Agreement.
If this Agreement is judicially terminated at the expense of the Lessee, or in the event of termination at the initiative of the trustee in accordance with statutory provisions, the Lessee shall bear all costs arising from such termination, including legal and court fees. Furthermore, the Lessee shall owe the Lessor, by way of termination and reletting compensation, an amount fixed at a lump sum equal to six (6) months’ the rental price, increased by the advance payments for charges and expenses, it being understood that this amount may not be less than the total rental price and advance payments due up to the first statutory or contractual termination date, and without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement and the Lessor’s right to claim the actual damage suffered, should this be higher. This provision may not be invoked by the Lessee to claim a right to early termination.
15.5. As an essential condition of this Agreement, the Lessee unconditionally and expressly undertakes not to invoke the exception of non-performance (and, among other things, not to withhold payment of rent or advance payments, in whole or in part) without prior judicial authorization. The application of Articles 5.98 and 5.239 of the Civil Code is expressly excluded.
15.6. The Parties expressly declare that they exclude the sanction of price reduction provided for in Article 5.97 of the Civil Code in the event that either Party fails, through its own fault, to comply with a provision of the Agreement. Even in the event of a breach that is not sufficiently serious to justify the termination of the Agreement, the Parties may not invoke a price reduction.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 29 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| 16. | Force Majeure and Exclusion of Hardship |
16.1. Except in cases of force majeure, each Party shall perform its obligations even if their performance has become more burdensome, whether due to an increase in the cost of performance or a decrease in the value of the counter-performance. The Parties expressly declare that, in the event of such a change in circumstances, Article 5.74 of the Civil Code shall not apply.
16.2. Force majeure shall mean the occurrence of an event beyond the control of the Parties, which they could neither foresee nor prevent, and which renders performance absolutely impossible. The Lessee invoking force majeure must inform the Lessor of the reason for the impossibility of performance within a period of eight (8) calendar days and by registered letter.
| 17. | Inventory of Fixtures and Handover of the Leased Premises |
| A. | Inventory of Fixtures |
17.1. The Leased Premises are let in the condition in which they are found on the date of signing of the Agreement, together with all easements to which they are entitled or by which they are encumbered.
17.2. No later than on the effective date of this Agreement, a detailed and contradictory incoming inspection report shall be drawn up by an expert. The costs thereof shall be borne by the Parties in equal shares. This inspection report, together with any amendments and/or addenda thereto, shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
17.3. A detailed and contradictory outgoing inspection report shall be drawn up no later than on the last day of the Agreement, after the Lessee has fully vacated the Leased Premises. The costs thereof shall be borne by the Parties in equal shares.
17.4. The various property condition reports or any amendments and/or addenda shall be drawn up by the expert jointly appointed by the Parties in accordance with Article 7 of the Special Conditions. In the event this expert is not (timely) available, the Parties shall jointly appoint another expert. In the absence of agreement, the expert shall be appointed by the competent Justice of the Peace upon the unilateral request of the most diligent Party. The report of the expert appointed by the Parties or by the court shall be binding upon the Parties, without any possibility of objection or appeal.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 30 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| B. | Return |
17.5. At the end of the Agreement, and in the event of early termination for any reason whatsoever, the Lessee shall return the Leased Premises in their original condition, in accordance with the incoming inspection report and any amendments and/or addenda thereto, and without being held liable for normal wear and tear or force majeure. It is expressly agreed that any damage caused by the removal of installations, fittings, partitions, and dividing walls shall not constitute normal wear and tear.
17.6. All fittings, alterations, installations and/or improvements carried out by the Lessee pursuant to Article 9 of the General Conditions, which cannot be removed at the end of the Agreement, shall automatically accrue to the Lessor without any cost or compensation, and shall be left in good condition, properly maintained and repaired as necessary, without the Lessee being held liable for normal wear and tear.
17.7. The Lessor may, however, if he so chooses, notify the Lessee by registered letter, no later than one (1) month prior to the end of the Agreement, of his intention to retain, without compensation, all or part of the fittings, alterations, installations and/or improvements carried out by the Lessee in the Leased Premises. In this latter case, the retained parts shall be left in good condition, properly maintained and repaired as necessary, without the Lessee being held liable for normal wear and tear.
17.8. The works required for the return of the Leased Premises (for restoration to their original condition and/or repair of lease-related damage) shall be carried out by the Lessee before the end of the Agreement.
If the Lessee fails to comply with his obligation to vacate the Leased Premises in due time and to restore them to their original condition, he shall be liable to pay compensation for unavailability in an amount equal to one (1) month’s rent, increased by the advance payments for costs and charges, for each month during which the Leased Premises remain unavailable as from the end of the Agreement, without prejudice to his obligation to restore the Premises to their original condition and to the Lessor’s right to claim compensation for the actual damage suffered if greater. The period of unavailability shall be determined by mutual agreement between the Parties or, in the absence of agreement, by an expert. The minimum period is set at one (1) month, and each month commenced shall be counted as a full month. This rental price shall be the one applicable at the time of termination of the Agreement.
If the Lessee fails or refuses to carry out the requested repair works within two (2) weeks following a notice of default sent by the Lessor by registered letter, the Lessor shall be entitled to carry out the necessary works himself, at the cost and risk of the defaulting Lessee, without prejudice to the Lessor’s right to claim damages in accordance with the foregoing.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 31 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
17.9. The Lessee undertakes to reimburse the Lessor for any compensation that the latter may be required to pay to a third party who is unable to take possession of the Leased Premises due to the Lessee’s failure to comply with his obligations at the end of the Agreement.
All amounts owed by the Lessee pursuant to this Article shall be paid to the Lessor without delay. The Lessor shall in no way be required to prove the actual performance of the works necessary for the return of the Leased Premises, nor the period of unavailability.
Upon departure, the Lessee shall provide evidence that all amounts owed in respect of private charges and other costs have been paid to the relevant suppliers.
17.10. The Lessee shall also transfer to the Lessor all permits, authorizations, and certificates of which he is the holder.
| 18. | Sale of the Leased Premises |
18.1. This Agreement is transferable by the Lessor, who shall be free to transfer all or part of the Building and/or the Leased Premises to any third party of his choice.
18.2. In the event of a transfer of all or part of the Leased Premises and/or the Building, or in the event of a change of control of the Lessor’s company, the buyer or Lessor may terminate the Agreement without any compensation being due, within three (3) months after the sale or change of control, with a notice period of six (6) months, served by registered letter and clearly stating the reasons for termination.
| 19. | Exclusion of Liability of the Lessor or his Successors in Title |
19.1. The Lessor shall in no event be held liable, regardless of the cause, for any inconvenience, damage, deterioration, accidental malfunction, etc., that may occur in respect of the Building’s services or the water, electricity or other technical installations serving the Building. In the event of an interruption in the services or functions of the Building, the Lessor shall make reasonable efforts to ensure the continuation of such services and/or to remedy any deficiencies. The Lessee waives any right to claim compensation or rent reduction from the Lessor in this respect, except in the event of gross negligence or fraud. The Lessee likewise waives any recourse against the Lessor for any loss, damage or inconvenience that the Lessee may suffer and for which the Lessor would be liable, except in the event of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Lessor.
19.2. The Lessee shall ensure the security of the Leased Premises and expressly releases the Lessor and his successors in title from any liability in the event of theft, damage, riots, or any other disturbance that may occur in the Leased Premises.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 32 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
19.3. In the event that the Leased Premises are completely destroyed by accident or force majeure during the term of the Agreement, the Agreement shall be automatically terminated by operation of law, without any compensation being due. The same shall apply in the event of partial destruction that would render the effective use of the Leased Premises impossible. In such case, the entirety of the insurance compensation relating to the Leased Premises, taken out by the Lessor, shall remain with the Lessor.
In the event of partial destruction that does not render the effective use of the Leased Premises impossible, the Lessee shall be required to continue the lease without compensation. In such case, the rental price shall be temporarily adjusted during the reconstruction of the Leased Premises, in proportion to the area that is temporarily unusable as a result of the partial destruction.
| 20. | Inspection of the Leased Premises |
20.1. Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Lessor or one of his representatives or agents may visit the Leased Premises, by appointment, in order to verify their condition or, if necessary, for any other reason, including leasing to another lessee or the need to carry out works in the Leased Premises, in adjacent premises, or in the common areas of the Building.
20.2. During the six (6) months preceding the end of the Agreement, as well as in the event of the sale of the Leased Premises or of the Building as a whole or in part, the Lessee agrees to the placement of signs in visible locations of the Leased Premises announcing the lease or sale. Furthermore, the Lessee shall allow the Leased Premises to be visited by persons accompanied by a representative or agent of the Lessor at any time between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., from Monday to Friday, upon prior notice from the Lessor given at least two (2) working days in advance.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 33 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| 21. | Hazardous Substances |
21.1. The Lessee shall neither permit nor cause the presence, use, storage, production or discharge of any polluting, contaminating or hazardous substance in or around the Leased Premises. The Lessee shall indemnify and hold the Lessor harmless from and against any claims, demands, fines, judgments, damages, costs or liabilities arising during or after the term of the Agreement and resulting from or connected with the presence, use, storage, production or discharge of polluting, contaminating or hazardous substances in or around the Building or the Leased Premises by the Lessee, its agents, employees, contractors, visitors or guests.
The above-mentioned compensation shall include, without limitation, all costs resulting from site investigation, cleaning, removal, remediation or restoration required by any authority pursuant to any environmental law and/or regulation.
| 22. | Rules of Internal Order |
22.1. The Lessee undertakes to use the Leased Premises as a prudent and reasonable person and not to carry out any noisy activity or any activity that could disturb the other occupants of the Building. The Lessee furthermore undertakes to comply at all times with the laws and regulations applicable to its activity, as well as with any instructions, even verbal, given by the Lessor or its Administrator.
22.2. The Lessee shall strictly comply with the provisions of the Building Regulations, of which he declares to have received a copy, to have taken due note, and to accept the full contents thereof.
The Lessee shall comply with any additions, amendments or improvements made to these Regulations, which shall be binding upon him as from written notification by the Lessor or its Administrator, sent by registered letter.
22.3. The Lessee shall ensure that its staff and visitors comply with these Regulations, as well as with all obligations arising from this Agreement.
| 23. | Advertising Signage |
23.1. The Lessee shall not place any sign, board, advertisement or poster on the exterior walls, windows, or in the common areas (lifts, hallways, entrance, doors, etc.) of the Building, except with the prior written consent of the Lessor.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 34 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
In granting such consent, the Lessor may impose certain conditions and requirements regarding the size, shape, color, or manner of attachment of the proposed advertisement, as well as any conditions that may be imposed by the local authorities.
23.2. Obtaining the necessary permits and/or authorizations that may be required, as well as all costs and taxes related thereto, shall be borne by the Lessee.
The Lessee shall also be responsible for all maintenance and repair works to such signage, as well as for any damage it may cause. At the end of the Agreement, the Lessee shall, at his own expense, remove the signage in a proper and workmanlike manner and shall be liable for any damage caused by such removal.
| 24. | Joint and Several Liability |
24.1. In the event that this Agreement has been entered into by more than one (legal) person, all such (legal) persons shall be jointly and severally liable towards the Lessor for the payment of the rent, costs and accessories due under this Agreement. Furthermore, termination by one of the lessees shall not release him from his payment obligations, and the joint and several liability shall remain in effect with respect to the departing Lessee until the end of the Agreement. The lessees and their heirs or successors, regardless of title, shall be jointly and severally liable for the performance of this Agreement.
| 25. | Final Provisions |
| A. | Titles |
25.1. The headings or titles at the beginning of the various articles or paragraphs of this Agreement have been inserted for reference and convenience only. They shall in no event define, limit or describe the scope or application of the Article or specific paragraph to which they refer, in any manner whatsoever.
| B. | Assignment of Obligations |
25.2. The Lessee undertakes to inform its agents and representatives of its obligations under this Agreement and guarantees their compliance therewith on a daily basis.
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 35 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
| C. | Amendments – Waiver – Indivisibility – Severability |
25.3. The Agreement may be amended only by means of a written addendum signed by the Parties. Consequently, no amendment may be inferred from the Lessor’s passivity or from mere tolerance, regardless of its frequency or duration. The Lessor shall at all times remain free to require the strict application of any terms and provisions for which no express and written amendment has been made.
25.4. No failure or delay in the exercise of any right, power or remedy under this Agreement, nor any partial exercise of any part thereof by either Party, shall be deemed a waiver of such right. The remedies provided for in this Agreement are cumulative and shall in no way exclude the remedies provided for by law.
25.5. The Agreement is declared to be indivisible, in particular with respect to the Parties’ successors in title.
25.6. The validity of this Agreement shall not be affected by the nullity of any Article or part of an Article. In the event of nullity or unenforceability, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith with a view to reaching an agreement on the replacement of the clause concerned by a clause:
| i. | that is valid, lawful and enforceable; |
and
| ii. | the effect of which corresponds as closely as possible to that of the null or unenforceable clause; and |
| iii. | that achieves an economically comparable result in all respects. |
| D. | Election of Domicile |
25.7. For all matters relating to this Agreement, the Parties elect domicile at their respective registered offices. The elected domicile shall, however, always be located in Belgium.
| E. | Registration |
25.8. The obligation to register the Agreement and its annexes, as well as all costs related thereto, shall be borne by the Lessee (through recharging by the Lessor).
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 36 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
Since registration offices have, as of April 2022, been sending payment requests to both lessees and lessors, the Parties expressly agree that if the Lessee receives a payment request concerning the registration duties from the competent registration office, he shall immediately notify the Lessor thereof. The Lessee acknowledges that, with respect to the Lessor, the amount of the registration duties indicated in the payment request may be validly discharged only by payment to the Lessor. A direct payment by the Lessee to the registration office may not be set up against the Lessor.
| F. | Applicable Law and Jurisdiction |
25.9. The Agreement shall be governed, interpreted and construed in accordance with Belgian law.
25.10. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with the Agreement shall be exclusively settled by the courts and tribunals having territorial jurisdiction over the area in which the Building is located, sitting in the language of the Agreement.
| G. | Privacy |
25.11. Your personal data are processed by the Lessor and its Administrator, All Yield NV, for client management purposes in the context of the performance of this Agreement. You may also, at any time, request via [***] information on which personal data we process about you, and have them rectified or erased, or request that they be transferred. If you do not agree with the manner in which we process your data, you may contact the Data Protection Authority (Rue de la Presse 35, 1000 Brussels). A more detailed overview of our data processing policy can be found at [***].
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 37 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
The Agreement may be signed by each Party in separate counterparts (whether physically or electronically), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document.
Done at Brussels.
| For the Lessor | ||
| Date: December 28, 2023 | 3:17 a.m. PST | ||
| /s/ Michael Lisman | /s/ Tom Eeckhout | |
| FORTIM NV | FINTEA MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING SERVICES BV | |
| Michael Lisman | Tom Eeckhout | |
| Director | Director |
| For the Lessee | ||
| Date: December 19, 2023 | ||
| /s/ Tim Knotnerus | /s/ John Haurum | |
Tim Knotnerus |
John Haurum | |
| CEO-Director | Chairman-Director |
| Franklin Building - Office Lease | Page 38 of 38 | Lessee’s Initials: | DS [signature] |
| DS [signature] | |||
| Lessor’s Initials: |
Floor Plan (Intentionally Omitted)
Floor Plan (Intentionally Omitted)
Floor Plan (Intentionally Omitted)
Page 39 of 6
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Franklin Building |
RULES OF INTERNAL ORDER
FRANKLIN BUILDING
Posthoflei 1-5, 2600 Berchem
dated 01/01/2014
1. SCOPE
A set of Internal Rules and Regulations is established for all lessees and any future co-owners occupying the building, which shall be binding upon them and their successors in title. These Internal Rules and Regulations may be amended by the Lessor in the general interest of the parties concerned with the building. Such amendments shall be immediately communicated to the lessees. In the event of a transfer of the building or any part thereof, the transferring owner shall draw the attention of the acquirer to the existence of these Internal Rules and Regulations.
The new interested party shall be subrogated to the provisions of these Internal Rules and Regulations. He shall be bound to comply with them, as shall his successors in title. These Internal Rules and Regulations set out the rules and procedures governing the occupation and use of the premises, as well as the liabilities of the lessees among themselves and towards the owner. The purpose of these Internal Rules and Regulations is to ensure peaceful enjoyment for all occupants and to preserve the good reputation and high standing of the building. The leased premises shall be occupied, in accordance with the legal principle, with due care and diligence. This document is supplementary to the Lease Agreement.
2. ARRANGEMENTS FOR OCCUPATION
Article 1.
No advertising, panels, signs or other objects visible from the outside shall be permitted to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the building. The Lessee may not place any sign, advertisement, poster, or notice of any kind on the exterior walls or windows of the building without the prior written consent of the Lessor, who shall not be required to justify any refusal. Subject to such approval, among other things, are the type and location of lighting fixtures and the color of the light they emit, as well as the type and color of curtains, drapes, and blinds. These should be white. This Article is intended solely to maintain a uniform and aesthetic appearance.
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Franklin Building |
Article 2.
No flag, flagpole, radio or TV antenna, nor any other object, may be placed on or around the building without the prior written consent of the Lessor.
Article 3.
The installation of the Lessee’s logo and company name shall be regulated and arranged by the Lessor. This applies to all areas visible from the common parts - including, among others, the entrance hall, doorbells and mailboxes, elevators, and the entrance doors of the offices.
Article 4.
Each Lessee shall have a mailbox displaying its trade name. In principle, only one name shall appear on each mailbox.
Article 5.
No merchandise or other items may be placed outside, at the entrance door, or in the entrance hall.
Article 6.
The Lessee shall not obstruct, nor allow to be obstructed, the entrances, corridors, landings, stairwells, or other common areas of the building with objects of any kind by persons for whom he is responsible. No obstruction or hindrance shall be permitted to the free access of any emergency exits, fire escapes, or other fire safety equipment.
Article 7.
The lessees shall not cause any excessive or abnormal noise, including through the use of musical instruments, televisions, radios, record players, tape recorders, office machines, or any other devices that could disturb other occupants of the building. The lessees shall not cause any nuisance, including odors, to third parties.
Article 8.
When electrical devices are used in the building that may cause interference, they shall be equipped with a device preventing such interference. No motor shall be installed in the private areas, except for small motors used to operate household or office equipment. In no event shall such motors or machines cause vibrations that disturb other lessees or third parties. The Lessee shall in no event overload the electrical installation.
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Franklin Building |
Article 9.
Hazardous, flammable, explosive, toxic, unhealthy, or harmful products and substances (whether gaseous, liquid, or solid), or those likely to emit unpleasant odors, may not be stored in the parking area or anywhere in the building, whether in the private or common areas.
Article 10.
The Lessee shall not bring any animals into the private premises or the common areas.
Article 11.
The leased premises shall in no event be used for any illegal or immoral activity that could harm the standing or good reputation of the building.
Article 12.
Waste and garbage shall be collected by the lessees in bags placed in designated containers at the location indicated by the Lessor or their appointed representative. In no event may such material be stored in the building (in the hallways, stairwells, or premises). Bulky waste, such as boxes, crates, packaging materials, and the like, shall be immediately removed by the Lessee and shall under no circumstances be left in the building or the parking area.
Article 13.
The lessees shall not use the elevators beyond their maximum capacity. They shall comply with the instructions posted inside the elevator cabins. The Lessor shall not be liable for any accidents that may occur.
The lessees shall not load the floors of the building with more than 250 kg per m2, including the weight of partitions, pipes, furniture, and similar items.
Article 14.
The parking garage is not accessible to vehicles equipped with a gas installation. A speed limit of 5 km/h shall apply in the parking area. Vehicles leaking oil shall be denied access. The cleaning shall be carried out by the Lessee personally. Each user shall park only in their designated space and within the marked lines.
Article 15.
The installation and moving of furniture or other items shall only take place on days and at times agreed upon with the Lessor or their appointed representative. The Lessor or their appointed representative shall determine whether the internal elevator or a moving lift must be used.
The Lessor may, without any form of recourse, refuse the use of the elevators for the transport of heavy or bulky items. Any damage caused to the building shall be charged to the Lessee.
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Franklin Building |
Article 16.
The lessees shall grant the Lessor or their appointed representative access to the premises, whether occupied or not, in order to allow them to inspect the condition of the Leased Premises and to verify compliance with measures of common interest. They shall likewise grant, without compensation, access to their premises to the architects, contractors, or workers carrying out repairs and works to the common and private parts, provided that such works are performed with due promptness and upon prior notice. The lessees must grant access to their premises for the repair, maintenance, and cleaning of common elements, such as lighting ducts, electrical cables, pipes, glassware, drain pipes, etc.
Article 17.
The Lessor’s appointed representative shall keep a copy of all current Lease Agreements. He shall likewise keep the name, address, and telephone number of the Lessee’s responsible representatives, as well as the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be contacted in case of emergency during vacation periods or when the offices are unoccupied. He shall likewise keep a duplicate set of the keys providing access to the leased premises, subject to contractual obligation. The lessees are, of course, required to provide this information to the Lessor in a timely manner.
Article 18.
The lessees are obligated to properly insure their risks and liabilities in accordance with the lease agreement. If the specific needs or particular activities of a Lessee should increase the common expenses of the building, that Lessee shall bear any resulting additional costs. The insurance policy shall also provide coverage for damage caused to the leased premises by third parties, including but not limited to burglary.
Article 19.
The energy consumption of the common areas is included in the service charges and shall therefore be paid by the Lessee through the advance payments and the annual settlement. Each Lessee shall pay their individual electricity costs directly, including the rental and installation costs (with the exception of heating). The heating costs are included in the system of service charges.
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Franklin Building |
Article 20.
All works to the private parts, the maintenance of which concerns the harmony of the building, shall be carried out by each Lessee in due time, in order to preserve the standing, good condition, and cleanliness of the building. Any works carried out by the Lessee, with the prior and specific authorization of the Lessor, shall not be of such a nature as to harm or disturb neighboring lessees, or to endanger the durability, soundness, or safety of the building.
Article 21.
The lessees are prohibited, for any reason whatsoever, from conducting public sales of furniture or goods within the leased premises.
Article 22.
The building is accessible from Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Outside regular opening hours, the lessees may gain access by means of access badges. They shall lock the doors again upon leaving the building. A security deposit shall be required for the safety keys and access cards.
Article 23.
The appointed representative is responsible for carrying out the necessary works, overseeing the maintenance of the common areas of the building, and ensuring the proper functioning of the common equipment.
In urgent cases, the local representative shall take all necessary measures in the interest of the Lessor, as well as in the interest of the proper functioning and preservation of the building.
The Lessor oversees the urgent repairs. The Lessor is also tasked with dividing the amount of expenses that are their responsibility among the lessees. The accounting shall be carried out in accordance with indisputable arrangements and methods. The Lessor instructs their appointed representative to implement its decisions regarding the day-to-day management and the general administration of the building. The lessees shall submit to the Lessor any issues that may arise between them and their appointed representative concerning the occupancy of the building.
They shall make an effort to find an amicable solution through reconciliation.
In the absence of an amicable agreement, the parties concerned shall be free to take legal action, with jurisdiction resting solely with the courts having territorial competence over the area in which the building is located.
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Franklin Building |
3. Accounting
In addition to the base rental price, the Lessee shall contribute to the payment of the common expenses of the building. Annually, as soon as it is feasible for him to do so, the appointed representative shall send a statement of the general settlement for the past year.
Based on this information and the allocated units, he shall determine the share of the costs in the common expenses. This contribution shall be payable within fifteen days after the expense statement has been delivered to the Lessee.
The latter shall immediately notify the Lessor of any errors they may identify in the accounts presented to them and, by appointment, may inspect the invoices at the office of the Lessor or the administrator.
The service charges are composed as follows:
1. Elevator maintenance
2. Electricity for the common areas
3. Water
4. Waste management
5. Maintenance of the common areas and garage
6. Technical installations
7. Aesthetic improvements
8. Cleaning
9. Insurance Policies
10. Management fees
11. Central heating
12. Personnel
13. Safety
This list is provided as an example and is not exhaustive.
Page 6 of 6
Energy Performance Certificate (Intentionally Omitted)
[***]
Exhibit 10.11
Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and is the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that was omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”.
NON-RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT
In Touro, on October 26, 2021
GATHERED
On the one hand, GALCHIMIA, S.A. (hereinafter, “GALCHIMIA”) a Spanish company, with registered address at [***], and holder of N.I.F. (Número de Identificación Fiscal [Tax Identification Number]) [***], duly represented by Ms. María do Carme Pampín Casal, in her capacity as Director.
And, on the other hand, ORIGO BIOPHARMA, S.L. (hereinafter, “ORIGO”) a Spanish company, domiciled at [***], and provided with N.I.F. [***], duly represented by Mr. Ramon Bosser Artal, in his capacity as Representative.
Hereinafter, GALCHIMIA and ORIGO shall be collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually as the “Party”.
The Parties mutually recognize the necessary legal capacity to contract and be bound freely and, for this purpose,
STATE
| I.- | That ORIGO is a business corporation whose activity consists of the research, development and marketing of products and services in the pharmaceutical field (the “Activity”). |
| II.- | That GALCHIMIA owns the Industrial Building described below (hereinafter, the “Industrial Building”): |
| a. | Description: Located at Parque Empresarial de Touro (Touro Business Park), plots 26-27, Fonte Díaz, Touro (A Coruña), whose approximate built surface area is 940 m2. |
| b. | Registration: It is registered in the Property Registry of Arzúa. |
| c. | Cadastral Reference: 15086A3 0100247 0001 DJ |
| III.- | That for the development of the Activity, ORIGO has been leasing, as lessee, to GALCHIMIA, as lessor, the space of the Industrial Building described below (the “Space”): |
| a. | Open-plan space of approximately 30 square meters of useful surface area, of which 10 m2 corresponds to a laboratory (the “Laboratory Space”) and 20 m2 corresponds to an office (the “Office Space”). The number of square meters indicated herein is approximate and subject to modification in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. |
| b. | The interior of the Space is duly conditioned for use by ORIGO. |
| c. | Likewise, ORIGO declares that it knows and accepts that the Space is used in a shared manner with the workers, investigators and/or collaborators of GALCHIMIA (as well as with those persons that GALCHIMIA decides at all times), not being, therefore, its exclusive use. |
| d. | A descriptive plan of the Space is attached as Annex I. |
| IV.- | That ORIGO is aware of and expressly accepts the physical, constructive, urban and administrative situation of the aforementioned Space. |
| V.- | The Parties state that it is in the interest of both to enter into a new non-residential lease agreement (hereinafter, the “Agreement”), which will be governed by the following: |
CLAUSES
| 1.- | OBJECT |
| 1.1 | This Agreement establishes the terms and conditions under which ORIGO leases and GALCHIMIA assigns, under lease, the Space described in Recital III, as well as the facilities, elements and common areas that are part of it. |
| 1.2 | ORIGO shall allocate the Space to laboratory and office, in accordance with its Activity, excluding the possibility that it may in the future allocate it to any other intended use, without the prior and express written authorization of GALCHIMIA, in the event that ORIGO’s purpose was to modify the current use of the Space to other uses, even if these are covered by municipal legislation and ordinances. |
| 1.3 | By signing this Agreement, the Parties fully terminate the existing old lease agreement between the two. For these purposes, the Parties declare that all obligations under the previous lease agreement have been duly fulfilled, with the Parties being released from any liability that may arise from it. |
| 2.- | ECONOMIC CONDITIONS |
| 2.1 | Rent |
| 2.1.1 | In consideration for the lease of the Space, ORIGO will pay GALCHIMIA the amounts detailed below: |
| a. | In consideration for the use of the Office Space, ORIGO will pay a monthly rent of €226.66 per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
| b. | The above quantity includes the following items: |
| 1. | Use of individual workstations; |
| 2. | Use of meeting rooms and video conferencing and reprography equipment; |
| 3. | Receipt of postal and courier mail; |
| 4. | Management of Users’ registrations and deregistrations; |
| 5. | User access control; |
| 6. | Internet connection. However, ORIGO will be responsible for the expenses arising from the installation of new computer lines and new Internet access, as well as their consumption. |
| 7. | Waste management; |
| 8. | Supply consumption (electricity, gases, water, telephone, etc.). |
| c. | Likewise, in consideration for the use of the Laboratory Space, ORIGO will pay a monthly rent of €666.66 per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
The above quantity includes the use of one (1) fully equipped laboratory hood for the execution of small-scale chemical synthesis projects. Likewise, the elements indicated in Clause 2.1.1 (b) above are also provided for the use, by ORIGO, of the Laboratory Space.
| 2.1.2 | GALCHIMIA’s provision of personal computers and cell phones is excluded from the services described above. |
| 2.1.3 | GALCHIMIA is empowered to discontinue Users’ access to the elements established in Clauses 2.1.1 (b) and (c) above in the event of a non-payment of more than three (3) consecutive monthly Rent payments or within a period of twelve (12) months. |
| 2.1.4 | For the purposes of this Agreement, “User” or “Users” shall be understood as the person who has the right to use the Space in accordance with the following procedure: |
| a. | ORIGO must have requested GALCHIMIA, in advance and in writing, the access of the person or persons of interest who have access to the Space, providing the information required by the latter. |
| b. | GALCHIMIA will inform ORIGO if it grants authorization for the requested increase in Users, which, in any case, will imply acceptance of the increase in Rent in accordance with the provisions set forth below. |
| c. | In any case, any increase in the number of Users permitted, as provided herein, will imply an increase in the Rent, which may be reflected in an addendum or annex to this Agreement, indicating (i) the new number of Users who will have access to the Space, (ii) the new amount of the Rent and (iii) where applicable, the new number of square meters of the Space subject to lease. |
| d. | Likewise, GALCHIMIA may deny ORIGO the increase in the number of Users, provided that this is duly justified for reasons of capacity and internal organization. |
| 2.1.5 | The Parties declare that, as of the date of this Agreement, the total number of Users amounts to 4.5, who are distributed as follows: |
| a. | one (1) User for the Laboratory Space, and |
| b. | three and a half (3.5) Users for the Office Space (with User 0.5 corresponding to a part-time worker of Origo). |
| 2.1.6 | In accordance with the provisions of this Clause 2, the Parties declare that the current amount that ORIGO must pay to GALCHIMIA as Rent, in consideration of the current number of Users of the Space, is set at €666.66, for the Laboratory Space, and €793.34, for the Office Space, with the total of both amounts being €1,460 (the “Current Rent”). |
| 2.1.7 | Updates that may be made to the Rent as a result of the increase in the number of Users, in accordance with this Agreement, will be applied to the amount of the Rent that ORIGO must pay the month following the request. |
| 2.1.8 | All of the above amounts will be subject to the corresponding taxes and withholding in accordance with current legal regulations. |
| 2.2 | Form of payment |
| 2.2.1 | ORIGO shall pay GALCHIMIA the Rent each month in advance within the first five (5) days of each calendar month. |
| 2.2.2 | Payment of the amount of the Rent will be made by ORIGO by direct debit to the following account, held by GALCHIMIA, [***]. |
| 2.3 | Delay |
| 2.3.1 | In the event of a delay, even if it is partial, of more than three (3) months in the monthly payment of the Rent, GALCHIMIA will apply, as a penalty, on the amounts pending payment, the legal rate of late interest published in the BOE, in force at the time of payment. The payment of this penalty will not grant the right to delay the rest of the payments of the Rent, and GALCHIMIA may initiate the legal actions it deems appropriate. |
| 2.4 | Rent Update |
| 2.4.1 | The Rent will be updated each year, if applicable, according to the increase experienced by the General Consumer Price Index (or any index that replaces it) (the “CPI”) published by the National Institute of Statistics for Galicia, during the previous year, the index being the one for the month of December. Updates will always take effect on January 1 of each year. |
| 2.4.2 | In the event that the CPI variation during the review period is negative, the amount of the Rent in force on the update date will remain unchanged until the next positive review date, when the update rule provided for herein will be applied again. |
| 2.4.3 | In no event shall the lag or delay in the collection of the Rent applying the update referred to in the previous paragraph imply a waiver or loss of GALCHIMIA’s right to collect the Rent applying such update. |
| 2.5 | Expenses and taxes |
| 2.5.1 | Any amount payable by ORIGO under this Agreement shall include Value Added Tax (or tax replacing it), which shall be borne by ORIGO, at the rates in effect from time to time. |
| 2.5.2 | During the term of the Agreement, ORIGO will be responsible for all expenses and taxes that must be paid as a direct consequence of the Activity carried out by the latter in the scope of the Space, with the exception of those taxes attributable to the owner thereof, such as the Real Estate Tax or any other tax that has the owner as taxpayer. |
| 3.- | BOND |
| 3.1 | As a guarantee of its obligations, at the time of signing the Agreement, ORIGO will deliver to GALCHIMIA an amount equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of the agreed Rent, as a bond. If applicable, once five (5) years have elapsed of the duration of this Agreement, the bond constituted will be updated to be equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of the corresponding Rent. |
| 3.2 | The bond is established in the amount of €2,920.- equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of the Rent. |
| 3.3 | GALCHIMIA states that it will deposit the bond at the [***]. |
| 3.4 | GALCHIMIA may use such amount to cover any liability resulting from a breach of ORIGO’s obligations under this Agreement, GALCHIMIA being obliged to inform ORIGO of its intention to apply such bond and of the breach that motivates it. Upon termination of the Agreement, for any reason, any amount not applied to cover a liability of ORIGO shall be reimbursed to it within a maximum period of two (2) months from the date of termination of this Agreement. |
| 4.- | DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT, EXTENSIONS AND WITHDRAWAL |
| 4.1 | This Agreement shall enter into force on January 2, 2022 and shall have an initial duration of one (1) year, starting on January 2, 2022. |
| 4.2 | At the expiration of the one (1) year period, the Parties shall be empowered to terminate this Agreement, provided that there has been a written communication addressed to the other Party, stating that it is their will, sent at least two (2) months prior to the expiration date of the aforementioned term. |
| 4.3 | Once this initial term of one (1) year has ended, and the Parties have not made use of their power of termination indicated in Clause 4.2 above, the Agreement will be automatically extended for annual periods, unless prior written notice of either Party by reliable notification at least two (2) months in advance. |
| 5.- | INSURANCE |
| 5.1 | ORIGO undertakes and is responsible for ensuring that its workers, investigators and/or collaborators who perform their work in the Space, by virtue of this Agreement, comply with current legislation, general operating standards and those of the Industrial Building, and especially in relation to everything that affects the safety and health of people and the protection of the environment. |
| 5.2 | ORIGO is directly and exclusively responsible for all damages that may be caused to third parties or things that are a direct consequence of the activities that it carries out in the Space or for non-compliance with current legislation, general operating standards and those of the Industrial Building. In no event shall GALCHIMIA be liable for any damages that ORIGO may cause to its own assets as a result of its own Activity. |
| 5.3 | For these purposes, ORIGO undertakes to take out and commits to keep in force for the entire duration of the Contract an insurance policy that guarantees the economic consequences derived from the civil liability that may correspond to it in the exercise of its Activity in the Space, for a minimum amount of €500,000, undertaking to submit to GALCHIMIA a certificate from the insurance company that proves its subscription, during the first month as of the date of signature of the Agreement, and annually accredit its renewal and update. ORIGO will deliver a copy of the policy to GALCHIMIA, as well as the copy of the annual receipts for payment of the amounts thereof. |
| 5.4 | GALCHIMIA declares that it has taken out and undertakes to keep in force throughout the duration of the Agreement, a general insurance policy that covers the possible damages that may be caused to the Industrial Building and its facilities. |
| 6.- | WORKS AND PRESERVATION |
| 6.1 | ORIGO shall not modify the interior of the Space, and may not carry out any type of work or repair therein. In accordance with the foregoing, GALCHIMIA undertakes to keep the Space in correct and adequate condition for use by ORIGO for the development of the Activity, understanding as such, the maintenance of the Space in the same or equivalent characteristics as those of the date of execution of this Agreement. |
| 6.2 | Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that ORIGO considers that it is necessary to carry out any structural work or repair of the Space that is necessary and material for the development of the Activity by ORIGO, it will communicate it to GALCHIMIA in writing, who will inform if it authorizes or denies it, not being able to reject the requested works without reasonable justification. In the event of a discrepancy, the Parties shall undertake to negotiate in good faith the need and suitability of the works or repairs requested by ORIGO. If the Parties do not reach an agreement, the Parties shall submit the discrepancy to an expert technician, forcing the Parties to comply with his decision (“Expert Technician”). |
The Expert Technician must be a prestigious person, with a presence in Santiago de Compostela and with recognized experience in the construction sector. The procedure for his designation will be as follows: the Parties will meet within a maximum period of THREE (3) business days following the appearance of the discrepancy, to choose by mutual agreement a competent technician. In the event of a disagreement in the designation, the interested Party shall request such designation from the Dean of the Official Association of Architects of Galicia, who shall appoint the Expert Technician among its collegiates with experience in projects of similar characteristics of at least TEN (10) years, within a maximum period of TEN (10) business days.
The Expert Technician shall act for the benefit of and as contracted by all Parties, shall be deemed to act as expert and not as arbitrator and shall take into consideration the provisions of this Agreement, and any other relevant documentation. The Expert Technician must issue his report on the issue submitted to him within a maximum period of TWENTY (20) calendar days from his receipt of the request for his intervention.
The Expert Technician’s decision shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties (in the absence of an objection based on an error detected within a period of FIVE (5) business days from receipt of the notification of the Decision, an issue that must be resolved as soon as possible by the Expert Technician himself).
The cost of the Expert Technician’s intervention shall be borne equally by the Parties unless, in his Decision, the Expert Technician completely dismisses the position of any of them with respect to the issues that are submitted to his decision, in which case, the cost shall be borne by the Party whose position is totally dismissed.
| 6.3 | ORIGO may place signage or any other distinctive or promotional sign representative of its brand or trade name on the exterior of the Industrial Building, with prior express written authorization from GALCHIMIA, and in accordance with the standards adopted for the entire Industrial Building. Likewise, ORIGO must obtain the relevant administrative authorizations and licenses to install any signage or other distinctive or promotional sign, which must also respect the size, place and shape required by the mandatory ordinances. |
| 6.4 | GALCHIMIA is empowered to remove those exterior elements that are placed without its required authorization, upon written notification to ORIGO. |
| 6.5 | ORIGO declares that it is aware that other spaces of the Industrial Building may be in the process of conditioning or undergoing works during the term of the Agreement, and accepts the inconvenience that this situation may entail, expressly waiving any claim for any compensation for this reason. |
| 7.- | INTERNAL GALCHIMIA REGULATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL BAY OPERATING MANUALS |
| 7.1 | ORIGO shall be subject to GALCHIMIA’s internal operating rules and regulations, as well as the specific operating manual of the Industrial Building where the Space is located, which is attached to this Agreement as Annex III. |
| 7.2 | ORIGO states that it has been given the aforementioned policies and regulations and that it is aware of the content thereof. |
| 7.3 | Likewise, GALCHIMIA undertakes to provide ORIGO, with due notice, with the modifications or updates that may occur thereof. |
| 8.- | SPACE CONDITION |
| 8.1 | ORIGO declares that it is in current possession of the Space, knowing and accepting the current condition thereof. |
| 9.- | SPACE PRESERVATION |
| 9.1 | Preventive, Corrective and Space Conservation Maintenance |
| 9.1.1 | With regard to the preventive and corrective maintenance as well as the conservation of the Space, the elements and common areas, the Parties agree that this service is included within the Rent and that they will be executed by GALCHIMIA. |
| 9.2 | Delivery of the Space once the Agreement ends |
| 9.2.1 | At the time of the termination of the Agreement, for any reason, ORIGO shall be obliged to leave and deliver the Space and its contents, in good condition, except for the typical wear and tear of its use, free of liens, obligations and debts that it may have assumed, with ORIGO being responsible for the execution and cost of the actions that must be carried out for such purposes, including the replacement of equipment and/or property deteriorated by misuse. |
| 9.3 | Storage of hazardous material |
| 9.3.1 | Laboratory Users may store and/or handle in the Space explosive, flammable or unsanitary materials or products that are strictly essential for the performance of the Activity, after obtaining the licenses and permits and in compliance with the corresponding legal provisions, as well as GALCHIMIA’s internal policies and regulations. |
| 9.3.2 | Explosive, flammable or unsanitary materials, or that affect the good conservation of the environment, may not be stored or handled in the other spaces of the Industrial Building. |
| 10.- | COORDINATION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES |
| 10.1 | For the purposes provided for in Royal Decree No. 171/2004, of January 30, which develops Article 24 of State Law 31/1995, of November 8, on the Prevention of Occupational Risks, in the area of coordination of business activities, ORIGO and GALCHIMIA undertake to comply with all the requirements and obligations imposed on it by the aforementioned regulations, regarding the development of concurrent activities in the Industrial Building where the Space that is the subject matter of this Agreement is located. |
| 10.2 | For its part, GALCHIMIA, as owner of the Industrial Building, undertakes to comply with the obligations that the aforementioned regulations impose on business owners of workplaces. |
| 11.- | INDEPENDENCE OF THE PARTIES |
| 11.1 | The assignment of use of the Space, furniture and other goods and materials found therein does not imply the existence or creation of an associative, agency or legal dependence relationship between ORIGO and GALCHIMIA. In this regard, it will also be understood that the respective workers, investigators and/or collaborators of ORIGO who perform their functions and activities in the GALCHIMIA Space are legally and for all purposes solely and exclusively dependent on ORIGO and are subject to its guidelines, with full independence of GALCHIMIA, with ORIGO being solely and directly responsible for compliance with all labor obligations, if applicable, towards these workers, investigators and/or collaborators. |
| 11.2 | In this regard, ORIGO is obliged to adopt all necessary measures for the protection of the safety and health of its respective workers, investigators and/or collaborators who perform their functions and activities in the GALCHIMIA Space, in terms of occupational risk assessment and prevention, information, right to consultation and participation, training of these workers, investigators and/or collaborators, emergency and imminent risk actions and health control, as set out in the regulations on the prevention of occupational risks. |
| 12.- | CAUSES FOR EARLY TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT |
| 12.1 | GALCHIMIA may terminate this Agreement in the following cases: |
| 12.1.1 | In the event of non-payment of three (3) monthly payments, whether consecutive or not, even if partial, in the manner and terms stipulated in this Agreement, of the amounts that accrue as Rent, as well as any other amount that corresponds to GALCHIMIA, an amount that will be considered for all purposes as related to Rent. |
| 12.1.2 | In the event of liquidation of the legal entity ORIGO, extinction for any reason thereof or disqualification from the exercise of trade. |
| 12.1.3 | In the event that the Space and the facilities, elements and common areas are not maintained in good condition, or are not intended for the use agreed in this Agreement, or when executing works of any kind that may affect this Space, without the prior, express and written consent of GALCHIMIA. |
| 12.1.4 | In the event of an assignment, sublease, transfer, subrogation, in favor of a third person, individual or legal entity, by ORIGO of the rights derived from the Agreement without the prior express written consent of GALCHIMIA. |
| 12.1.5 | And, in general, in the event of a serious breach of any of the obligations assumed by ORIGO under this Agreement. |
| 12.2 | All the cases contemplated herein shall entitle GALCHIMIA to terminate the Agreement in question without the right to compensation in favor of ORIGO, who, in case of termination, must proceed to the delivery, within ten (10) business days following notification by GALCHIMIA of the occurrence of any of the above causes for termination of the Agreement, of the possession of the occupied Space and facilities, assigned items and furniture, leaving them completely free and available to GALCHIMIA, in perfect condition. |
| 13.- | ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITS AND LICENSES |
| 13.1 | ORIGO is responsible for processing, obtaining, paying, maintaining and renewing, throughout the term of the Agreement and any extension thereof, all permits, licenses and/or authorizations that are necessary for the performance of its Activity, and will be responsible for all expenses and contributions that may arise therefrom. Likewise, GALCHIMIA shall be held harmless against any liability in the event that the competent administration denies, revokes or cancels such permits, licenses and/or authorizations. |
| 13.2 | GALCHIMIA states that the Industrial Building where the Space that is the subject matter of this Agreement is located has and will keep in force all the licenses, permits and authorizations required by the applicable legislation, as well as those legally required for the development of the activities that are carried out within the Industrial Building. |
| 13.3 | GALCHIMIA has the activity and operation licenses necessary for the performance of the activities carried out on the Industrial Building in accordance with the applicable legislation, especially environmental legislation, and those related to the treatment and storage of chemicals. |
| 13.4 | Energy performance certificate of the Industrial Building |
| 13.4.1 | The Industrial Building, where the Space of this Agreement is located, has the corresponding energy performance certificate, which is available to ORIGO. |
| 14.- | ASSIGNMENT OF THE AGREEMENT OR INDUSTRIAL BAY |
| 14.1 | This Agreement, signed between GALCHIMIA and ORIGO, is executed in a very personal capacity, due to the special characteristics of ORIGO and the activities it carries out in the Space; it may not assign, contribute to companies or transfer the Leased Space in whole or in part or, ultimately, transfer in any form, in whole or in part, any of the rights it holds under the Agreement, without the prior express written authorization of GALCHIMIA. |
| 14.2 | The situations described will be considered as transfer, sublease or assignment not consented to and, consequently, will be cause for immediate termination of the Agreement. |
| 14.3 | The Parties agree that GALCHIMIA may not transfer ownership of the Industrial Building, in whole or in part, unless the new owner/s expressly accept/s subrogation in the contractual position of GALCHIMIA under this Agreement. |
| 15.- | CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION RIGHT |
| 15.1 | The Parties shall refrain from accessing the Confidential Information of the other Party, and in the event that they have involuntary access to such Confidential Information, they shall refrain from using, disclosing or communicating it to any other person. |
| 15.2 | For the purposes of this Clause 15.-, "Confidential Information" means all scientific, technical, commercial, business, corporate, legal and financial information, know-how or data disclosed by one of the Parties to the other, or otherwise held by one of the Parties (regardless of whether the owner of such information is such Party, any of its affiliates or another third party) and to which the other Party has access within the Industrial Building. |
Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, DNA sequences and their derivatives, vectors, cells, antibodies, proteins, targets, biological substances, identification and specification of biological substances, chemicals, chemical formulas, inventions (patentable or not), trade secrets, agreements with third parties, technical knowledge, ideas, formulations, techniques, processes, methodology, test design, equipment, experimental data, including preclinical and clinical data, data reports, internal documentation, computer programs, algorithms and information regarding sources of supply, intellectual property information, including, among others, unpublished patent applications, and the existence, the scope and activities of any investigation, development, manufacture, marketing.
| 15.3 | This confidentiality obligation shall not apply to information that: |
| (a) | has been published prior to the date of this Agreement; |
| (b) | is already in the possession of the other Party and is not subject to a confidentiality agreement between the Parties, provided that this fact is made known to the issuing Party at the time of disclosure; |
| (c) | the Receiving Party may document that it has been independently developed by it; or |
| (d) | any other that must be disclosed in compliance with an order of a judicial or administrative nature. In this case, the Receiving Party must notify the Issuing Party as far in advance as possible so that it may take such actions as it deems appropriate. |
| 15.4 | For the purposes of this Clause 15.-, a Party shall be deemed to possess, have accessed, used, communicated, disclosed or made available Confidential Information, when any of said acts has been carried out by a representative of said Party or by any of its employees, advisers or collaborators. Each Party shall ensure that its employees, consultants or collaborators who may have access to the Confidential Information respect the confidentiality obligations contained in this Clause 15.-. |
| 15.5 | The obligations contained in this Clause 15.- shall remain in force, even after the termination of this agreement, as long as the information in question continues to be classified as Confidential Information. |
| 15.6 | The Parties fully approve the Confidentiality and Personal Data Processing Agreement signed between them on September 30, 2021, which is attached to this Agreement as Annex II, without prejudice to the provisions of the previous sections, and shall prevail in the event of a discrepancy over the content of the aforementioned Annex. |
| 16.- | NOTICES |
| 16.1 | Any notices or requests related to this Agreement will be addressed to the addresses provided for in the heading or to those others that have been previously notified in accordance with the provisions of this clause. |
| 16.2 | Notices may be made by any means permitted by law that allows proof of receipt. |
| 17.- | PARTIAL NULLITY |
| 17.1 | In the event that any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement are declared null and void, the rest of the terms and conditions shall remain in effect without being affected by such declaration of nullity, and shall be interpreted taking into account the will of the parties and the purpose of this Agreement itself. |
| 18.- | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION |
| 18.1 | This Agreement shall be governed by its own clauses and, failing that, by Spanish law. |
| 18.2 | For the resolution of any dispute or controversy arising from this Agreement, the Parties shall submit to the Courts and Tribunals of Santiago de Compostela, expressly waiving any jurisdiction that may correspond to them. |
In witness whereof, both Parties sign this document, in the place and on the date indicated in the heading.
| /s/ Carme Pampín Casal | /s/ Ramon Bosser Artal | |
|
GALCHIMIA, S.A. Carme Pampín Casal |
ORIGO BIOPHARMA, S.L. Ramon Bosser Artal |
ANNEXES
| ANNEX I | Space Plan |
| ANNEX II | Confidentiality and Personal Data Processing Agreement |
| ANNEX III | Industrial Building Operation Manual |
ANNEX I
Space Plan
(Intentionally Omitted)
ANNEX II
Confidentiality and Personal Data Processing Agreement
CONFIDENTIALITY AND PERSONAL DATA PROCESSING AGREEMENT
In Touro, on September 30, 2021
GATHERED
On the one hand, Mr. Jacobo Cruces Colado in the name and on behalf of the company GalChimia, S.A., (hereinafter, GalChimia or “Processor”), with CIF (Código de Identificación Fiscal [Fiscal Identification Code]) [***] and registered office located at [***]
And, on the other hand, Mr. Ramon Bosser Artal in the name and on behalf of the company ORIGO BIOPHARMA S.L. (hereinafter “Origo or Controller”), with CIF [***], and registered office located at [***].
Both Parties mutually recognize the legal capacity necessary to sign this document and, therefore,
STATE:
1. That GalChimia has leased to ORIGO a space dedicated to Laboratory, as recorded in the lease agreement dated January 2, 2020 (“Main Agreement”), modified in the 2nd addendum dated January 2, 2021.
2. That due to the leasing of part of the Laboratory facilities owned by GalChimia, the ORIGO organization’s staff will have access to them, as well as to confidential information owned by GalChimia and will therefore be obliged to comply with the guidelines on information security and personal data protection implemented by GalChimia.
3. That ORIGO is the Controller of the processing of personal data that is the subject matter of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of April 27, 2016 on the protection of natural persons in the processing of their personal data (hereinafter, GDPR) and that in C.L. 3/2018 of December 5 on the Protection of Personal Data and Guarantees of Digital Rights (hereinafter, LOPD).
4. That GalChimia will act as Data Processor with respect to the data of ORIGO personnel who have access to the GalChimia facilities that are the subject matter of the lease agreement.
5. That in compliance with the provisions of Article 28 of the GDPR, GalChimia offers sufficient guarantees to implement the appropriate technical and organizational policies, in addition to applying the security measures established in current regulations to protect the rights of data subjects, so both Parties agree to sign this agreement subject to the following
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CLAUSES
1.- Definitions
1.1. Personal data: for the purposes of this agreement, the specific terms regarding data protection will be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of the GDPR and the LOPD.
1.2. Confidential Information: for the purposes of this agreement, in relation to Confidential Information, information that may be exchanged between the Parties under this Agreement, regarding technical data, know-how, unpublished discoveries or inventions, patents, research projects, products, and any other of a similar nature, regardless of the type of support in which it is, shall be understood as such.
In particular, Confidential Information is understood to be any information that contains, even in pseudonymized or anonymized form, data considered as sensitive and/or personal as established in the GDPR.
Likewise, all notes, analyses, calculations, reports and other documents or materials prepared by GalChimia or its employees or directors, that contain the Confidential Information or are generated from it, shall be considered Confidential Information.
2.- Object, nature and purpose of the Personal Data Processing assignment
The processing of data will consist of the fulfillment of the obligations of the assignment carried out according to the Main Agreement, under the conditions and instructions provided by the Controller, regardless of the support in which it has done so. It is expressly indicated that the authorized processing operations will be those strictly necessary to achieve the purpose of the assignment, with the Processor recognizing said limitation.
The purpose of the processing consists of the provision of the service agreed between the Parties in the Main Agreement, and it will be carried out in the premises and with the systems of the Processor.
3.- Type of personal data and category of data subjects
The personal data that is object of processing by the Processor corresponds to the categories of data subjects that are included in the data processing affected by the contractual relationship that binds the Parties due to the Main Agreement. The categories subject matter of processing to comply with the provision agreed in the Main Agreement will be the following:
| - | Data of the workers of the Data Controller who will carry out their activity in the facilities owned by GalChimia, such as: first and last name, image, contact details, telephone number, ID, social security data and data related to the performance of their activity. |
The Controller makes this data available to the Processor in relation to compliance with the information security and personal data protection obligations implemented by GalChimia, which must be complied with by ORIGO, in connection with the lease agreement between the Parties, informing it that it must apply the obligations provided for in the regulations for the processing of data, depending on the type it is entitled to, as well as those others that are necessary to maintain the security of the information, ensuring confidentiality, availability, integrity and resilience.
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4.- Duration
This Agreement shall have the same duration as the Main Agreement and any extensions thereof.
6.- Obligations and rights of the Data Controller
6.1. The Controller guarantees that the data provided to the Processor have been lawfully obtained and that they are adequate, relevant and limited to the purposes of the processing and makes available to the Processor as much information as is necessary to carry out the services that are the purpose of the assignment, it being the responsibility of the Data Controller to provide the data subjects with the corresponding information regarding the processing of personal data in accordance with Article 13 of the GDPR, and pursuant to the provisions of Articles 87 to 90 of the LOPD and GDD.
6.2. - The Controller shall deliver to the Processor the data necessary to adapt to the provisions of the obligations of information security and personal data protection related to the lease established in the Main Agreement and specify the instructions corresponding to the Processor with respect to the purposes and means of the processing of such data.
6.3. - Respect all the obligations that may correspond to it as Controller in accordance with current legal regulations or any other supplementary provision or regulation that is equally applicable to it, and, in particular, in relation to the information security standard implemented by GalChimia and with the Corporate Compliance Program, as well as the protocols and policies that form it.
6.4. - The Controller warns the Processor that if it determines on its own the purposes and means of the processing, it will be considered a Controller and will be subject to compliance with the applicable regulatory provisions as such.
7.- Obligations and Rights of the Processor
7.1. The Processor undertakes to respect all the obligations that may correspond to it as Processor in accordance with the provisions of current regulations and any other provision or regulation that is equally applicable to it and will not assign, apply or use the data to which it has access for a purpose other than the assignment or that entails the breach of this agreement. In particular, it expressly undertakes not to use the data provided by the Controller for its own purposes.
7.2. The Processor shall make available to the Controller the information necessary to demonstrate compliance with the agreement, allowing the inspections and audits necessary to assess the level of compliance with respect to the processing carried out that is the purpose of the assignment and even those that are of interest to demonstrate regulatory compliance as Controller.
7.3. The Processor shall maintain a Record of Processing Activities carried out on behalf of the Controller, containing the following information:
| a) | The name and contact details of the Controller. |
| b) | The categories of processing carried out on behalf of the Controller. |
| c) | A general description of the technical and organizational security measures implemented in the processing. |
7.4. The Processor guarantees the necessary training on the protection of personal data of the persons authorized to process the personal data.
7.5. The Processor undertakes to apply those necessary security measures that guarantee the security of the personal data that is the responsibility of the Controller and that prevent its alteration, loss, unauthorized processing or access, taking into account the state of the technology, the nature of the data stored and the risks to which they are exposed.
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7.6. The processor undertakes to send to the Controller, without undue delay and no later than the business day after a request is received from the data subjects, any request on the exercise of its rights in the area of data protection or any other request on the subject that may be sent to it by any means, such that the Data Controller will directly address the same in accordance with the obligations that are required of it under the applicable data protection legislation.
7.7. The Processor must return to the Controller the personal data and, if applicable, the supporting documentation where they are recorded, once the provision of the service has been completed, and the Processor may keep a copy, with the data duly blocked, as long as responsibilities can arise from the execution of the provision of the service.
8.- Personnel authorized to perform the processing
The Processor guarantees that the personnel authorized to carry out the processing have expressly committed in writing to respect the confidentiality of the data and will take measures to ensure that any person acting under its authority who has access to personal data can only process them following the instructions of the Controller or in compliance with the legislation in force.
The Processor guarantees that the personnel authorized to carry out the processing have received the necessary training to ensure that the protection of personal data will not be put at risk.
The Processor, if the controller requires so, undertakes to make available to it supporting documents, signed individually, that guarantee the commitment of confidentiality, the application of the security measures applied and the training received.
9. Processing Safety Measures
The Processor states that it is up to date with the obligations arising from the data protection regulations, especially with regard to the implementation of the security measures for the different categories of data and processing established in Article 32 of the GDPR and any regulations that apply to it. Therefore, it guarantees that such security measures will be properly implemented and will cooperate with the Controller to ensure compliance.
In any case, the Processor guarantees that the following data protection measures will be implemented, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of application and the nature, scope, context and purposes of the processing:
| · | Pseudonymization and, where appropriate, encryption of personal data. |
| · | Guarantees applied to achieve the permanent confidentiality, integrity, availability and resilience of processing systems and services. |
| · | Mechanisms that ensure the restoration of availability and access to data quickly in the event of a physical or technical incident. |
| · | Establishment of regular verification, evaluation and assessment procedures for the effectiveness of technical and organizational measures to ensure the security of the processing. |
10. Information security breach
Security breaches that the Processor becomes aware of must always be reported, without undue delay and within a maximum of 24 hours, to the Controller for its knowledge and for the application of measures that are necessary to remedy and mitigate the effects caused. All information necessary for the documentation and resolution of the incident must be attached to said communication.
Page 4 of 8
The notification of a security breach shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
| · | Description of the nature of the violation. |
| · | Categories and the approximate number of stakeholders affected. |
| · | Categories and the approximate number of data records affected. |
| · | Description of the possible consequences of the security breach. |
| · | Measures taken or proposed to remedy or mitigate the effects. |
| · | Contact details where more information can be obtained (DPO, Safety Officer, etc.). |
When the security breach has occurred under the responsibility of the Processor, the Controller may require it to notify the Supervisory Authority and, if necessary, to communicate it to the affected data subjects.
11. Data communication to third parties
The Processor will not communicate the data to other recipients, unless it has obtained prior written authorization from the Controller, which, if any, will be attached to this agreement. As well as those that were known by the Controller and authorized at the beginning of the contractual relationship between the Parties and with the signing of this Agreement.
12. International data transfers
The Processor may not carry out data transfers to third countries or international organizations not established in the EU, unless it has obtained prior written authorization from the Controller; which, if any, will be attached to this agreement.
13. Outsourcing of data processing
The Processor shall not subcontract, in whole or in part, the provision of the main service that involves the processing of personal data entrusted to it by the Controller, unless it has obtained prior written authorization for this; which, if any, shall be attached to this agreement or except for the processing whose subcontracting is established in ANNEX I hereto.
If it is necessary to subcontract any processing, this fact must be communicated in writing to the Controller, indicating the processing that is intended to be subcontracted and clearly and unequivocally identifying the subcontractor company and its contact details. The subcontracting may be carried out if the Controller does not state its objection to the communication made.
The subcontractor, who will also have the status of Processor, is also obliged to comply with the obligations set out in this document for the Processor and the instructions issued by the controller. It is the responsibility of the initial processor to regulate the new relationship so that the new processor is subject to the same conditions (instructions, obligations, security measures...) and with the same formal requirements as it, with regard to the proper processing of personal data and to the guarantee of the rights of the affected persons. In the event of non-compliance by the sub-processor, the initial processor shall remain fully liable to the Controller with respect to compliance with the obligations.
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14. Exercise of Rights by Data Subjects
The Processor shall, whenever possible and taking into account the nature of the processing, create the technical and organizational conditions necessary to assist the Controller in its obligation to respond to requests for the rights of the data subject, and in particular the following:
| - | Access, rectification, opposition and deletion. |
| - | Limitation of processing. |
| - | Data portability. |
| - | Not be subject to automated individualized decisions. |
When the affected persons exercise the aforementioned rights before the Data Processor, the latter must notify it immediately and in any case on the business day following receipt of the request to admin@origobiopharma.es attaching the necessary documentation to resolve the request that exists in its possession.
However, when the data are processed exclusively with the Processor’s systems, the latter must resolve, on behalf of the Controller and within the established period, the requests received for the exercise of the data subject’s rights in relation to the data that is the subject matter of the assignment.
15. Right to information
It is the responsibility of the Data Controller to provide the right of information at the time of collection of the data to be communicated to the Data Processor. Likewise, it undertakes to expressly inform the affected workers of the processing to be carried out by GalChimia and to comply with the obligations established in the GDPR for these purposes.
16. Confidentiality
The Processor undertakes to maintain the duty of secrecy and confidentiality with respect to the personal data to which it has had access under this assignment, even after its purpose ends.
Likewise, ORIGO undertakes to maintain and/or, where appropriate, implement the corresponding Confidentiality of Information and Trade Secret Agreements with the personnel of its organization who will carry out their activity in the leased facilities subject matter of the Main Agreement, according to the guidelines determined for this purpose by GalChimia.
17. Responsibility
As established in Article 82 of the GDPR, the Processor shall be responsible for the possible penalties and/or compensation for damages and losses caused to data subjects or third parties arising from non-compliance with the processing instructions established by the Controller or the current legal provisions on data protection.
18. Destination of the data subject to processing
Upon completion of the provision of services under this agreement, the Processor shall certify, at the option of the Controller, the deletion or return of all existing personal data and copies. In any case, the deletion of data is not appropriate when its retention is required due to a legal obligation, in which case the Processor will proceed to the custody thereof by blocking the data and limiting its processing to those cases in which responsibilities may arise from its relationship with the Controller.
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In witness whereof, and for the necessary purposes, the Parties sign this agreement, in duplicate, at the place and on the date indicated in the heading.
| By GalChimia, S.A. | By ORIGO BIOPHARMA, S.L. | |
| /s/ Carme Pampín Casal | /s/ Ramon Bosser Artal | |
Ms. Carme Pampín Casal NIF [***] |
Mr. Ramon Bosser Artal NIF [***] |
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ANNEX I
ASSISTANT DATA PROCESSORS
ASSISTANT DATA PROCESSOR: [***].
CONTACT DETAILS: [***]
PURPOSE OF THE PROCESSING: Processing of data of the organization’s personnel in order to provide the agreed service consisting of “Service of occupational risk prevention and health control in the company, as well as information, documentation and training tasks of the preventive service”.
LEGAL GROUNDS:
GDPR: 6.1.b) Processing necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
GDPR: 6.1.c) Processing necessary for compliance with a legal obligation applicable to the controller.
PURPOSES OF THE PROCESSING:
| - | Attendance at training activities. |
| - | Participation in safety risk evacuation drills. |
TYPES OF PERSONAL DATA:
| - | Employment and organizational data |
| - | Private contact details and identification details |
| - | Data relating to personal and professional circumstances and characteristics. |
| - | Risk Assessment and other reports within the group Health Control activity |
| - | Fitness for Work Certificates. |
GDPR COMPLIANCE: There is a signed agreement that regulates the relationship between the parties as controller and processor in accordance with the provisions of the GDPR.
ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF DATA: No international transfers are made.
They can be communicated to: [***] Development of information systems, support and production, (Located in Spain); and [***] Hosting, networking and connectivity.
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ANNEX III
Industrial Building Operation Manual
(Intentionally Omitted)
ADDENDUM I
TO NON-RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT
In Touro, on July 15, 2022
Gathered
On the one hand, GALCHIMIA, S.A. (hereinafter, “GALCHIMIA”) a Spanish company, domiciled at [***], and holder of N.I.F. (Número de Identificación Fiscal [Tax Identification Number]) [***], duly represented by Ms. María do Carme Pampín Casal, and holder of D.N.I. (Documento Nacional de Identidad [National Identification Document]) [***], in force, in her capacity as Director.
And, on the other hand, ORIGO BIOPHARMA, S.L. (hereinafter, “ORIGO”) a Spanish company, domiciled at [***], and provided with N.I.F. [***], duly represented by Agomab Therapeutics, sole administrator, in turn represented by Tim Knotnerus, in his capacity as CEO.
Hereinafter, GALCHIMIA and ORIGO may be collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually as the “Party”.
The Parties mutually recognize the necessary legal capacity to contract and be bound freely and, for this purpose,
State
| I. | That, on October 26, 2021, GALCHIMIA and ORIGO signed a non-residential lease agreement by virtue of which ORIGO leases, in the capacity as lessee, to GALCHIMIA, in the capacity as lessor, the space of the Industrial Bay described in the aforementioned agreement (hereinafter, the “Agreement”). |
| II. | That, by virtue of Clause 2.1.4.c) of the Agreement, the Parties wish to sign this addendum to the Agreement for the purpose of modifying the number of Users who will have access to the Space, the amount of the Rent and the number of square meters of the Space subject to lease (hereinafter, the “Addendum”), all in accordance with the following: |
Clauses
First.- Definitions and interpretation
Except as otherwise provided in this Addendum, those terms, definitions or words expressed in capital letters and not expressly defined in the same Addendum, will be interpreted in the sense set forth and defined for them in the Agreement.
1
Second.- Leased Space of the Industrial Bay
The Parties agree to modify Recital III a) of the Agreement, regarding the description of the Leased Space of the Industrial Bay, effective at the date of signing this Addendum, the wording of which will, hereinafter, be as follows:
| a. | Open-plan space of approximately 40 square meters of useful surface area, of which 20 m2 corresponds to a laboratory (the “Laboratory Space”) and 20 m2 corresponds to an office (the “Office Space”). The number of square meters indicated herein is approximate and subject to modification in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. |
Third.- Number of Users and amount of the Current Rent
The Parties agree to partially modify Clause 2.1 of the Agreement, relating to the rent, effective on the date of signing this Addendum, the wording of which will, hereinafter, be as follows:
| 2.1. | Rent |
| 2.1.1. | In consideration for the lease of the Space, ORIGO will pay GALCHIMIA the amounts detailed below: |
| a. | In consideration for the use of the Office Space, ORIGO will pay a monthly rent of €226.66 per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
(…)
| c. | Likewise, in consideration for the use of the Laboratory Space, ORIGO will pay a monthly rent of €666.66 per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
The above quantity includes the use of two (2) laboratory display cabinets, fully equipped for the execution of small-scale chemical synthesis projects. Likewise, the elements indicated in Clause 2.1.1 (b) above are also provided for the use, by ORIGO, of the Laboratory Space.
(…)
| 2.1.5. | The Parties declare that, as of the date of this Agreement, the total number of Users amounts to 6, which are distributed as follows: |
| a. | two (2) Users for the Laboratory Space, and |
| b. | four (4) Users for the Office Space. |
| 2.1.6. | In accordance with the provisions of this Clause 2, the Parties declare that the current amount that ORIGO must pay to GALCHIMIA as Rent, in consideration of the current number of Users of the Space, is set at €1,333.33, for the Laboratory Space, and €906.67, for the Office Space, with the total of both amounts being €2,240.00 (the “Current Rent”). |
(…)
2
Fourth.- Bond
The Parties agree to amend Clause 3.2 of the Agreement, relating to the bond, effective on the date of signing this Addendum, the wording of which shall hereinafter be as follows:
| 3.2. | The bond is established in the amount of €4,480.- equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of the Rent. |
For the above purposes, and in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3 of the Agreement, GALCHIMIA undertakes to deposit, at the [***], the amount of the difference between the new amount of the above-mentioned bond and the amount that ORIGO has previously delivered to GALCHIMIA, so that the total amount of the deposited bond matches the amount indicated above.
Fifth.- Closing clause
Everything in the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, except as contradicted by this Addendum, as the latter prevails.
The legal regime applicable to this addendum in matters of jurisdiction, applicable law or any other circumstance not expressly regulated herein shall be the same as provided for these matters in the Agreement.
In witness whereof, as evidence of acceptance of this agreement, the Parties sign this addendum, in one (1) counterpart and for one sole purpose, at the place and on the date indicated above in the heading.
|
July 15, 2022
/s/ Carme Pampín Casal |
July 15, 2022
/s/ Tim Knotnerus | |
|
GALCHIMIA, S.A. Carme Pampín Casal Director |
ORIGO BIOPHARMA, S.L. Agomab Therapeutics, in turn represented by Tim Knotnerus, in his capacity as sole manager CEO |
3
ADDENDUM II
TO THE NON-RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT
This Addendum II is made in Touro on 27 March 2023 but shall have retroactive effect as of the 1st of January, 2023
By and between
On the one hand, GALCHIMIA, S.A. (hereinafter, “GALCHIMIA”), a Spanish Company, with registered offices at [***], and holder of Spanish Tax Identification number [***], duly represented by Ms. María do Carme Pampín Casal, holding Spanish ID number [***], in her capacity as Managing Director (“Consejera Delegada”).
And on the other hand, AGOMAB SPAIN, S.L.U. (hereinafter, “AGOMAB”), a Spanish Company, with registered offices at [***], and holder of Spanish Tax Identification number [***], duly represented by Mr. Tim Knotnerus, individual representing AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, in its capacity as Sole Director.
Hereinafter, GALCHIMIA and AGOMAB may be referred to, jointly, as the “Parties” and, individually, as the “Party”.
The Parties mutually recognize each other as having the necessary legal capacity to bind themselves pursuant to the terms of the present Addendum II and, to that effect,
Whereas
| I. | That on October 26th, 2021, GALCHIMIA and AGOMAB (formerly known as ORIGO BIOPHARMA, S.L.) entered into a non-residential lease agreement (“Contrato de arrendamiento para uso distinto del de vivienda”) by virtue of which GALCHIMIA, as lessor leases, to AGOMAB, as lessee, a specific area of the industrial building (“nave industrial”) described in the aforementioned agreement (hereinafter, the “Agreement”). |
| II. | That on July 15th, 2022, the Parties entered into an addendum amending the Agreement (the “Addendum I”) in which were modified the number of Users (“Usuarios”) that will have access to the Area (“Espacio”), the amount of the Rent (“Renta”) and the number of square meters of the leased Area. |
| III. | That by virtue of clause 2.1.4 c) of the Agreement, the Parties wish to enter into this addendum to the Agreement for the purpose of modifying the number of Users who will have access to the Area and the amount of the Rent / the number of Users who will have access to the Area, the amount of the Rent and the number of square meters of the Area to be leased (hereinafter, the “Addendum II”), all in accordance with the following: |
1
Clauses
| First.- | Definitions and construction |
Unless otherwise provided in this Addendum II, those terms, definitions or words expressed in capital letters and not expressly defined in this Addendum II, shall be construed as set forth and defined for them in the Agreement.
| Second.- | Leased area in the industrial building |
The Parties agree to modify the Exhibit III a) of the Agreement, regarding the description of the leased Industrial Building, effective as of the date of execution of this Addendum II, whose wording shall hereinafter read as follows:
“
| a. | Open-plan area of approximately 40 square meters of usable space, of which 20 m2 correspond to the laboratory area (“Espacio de Laboratorio") and 20 m2 correspond to the office area ("Espacio de Oficina"). The number of square meters stated herein is approximate and subject to change in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.” |
| Third.- | Number of users and amount of current rent |
The Parties agree to partially modify clause 2.1 of the Agreement, regarding the rent, effective as of the date of signature of this Addendum II, the wording of which shall hereinafter read as follows:
| “2.1. | Rent |
| 2.1.1. | In consideration for the lease of the Area, AGOMAB shall pay to GALCHIMIA the amounts detailed below: |
| a. | In consideration for the use of the Office Area, AGOMAB shall pay a monthly rent of 239.58.-€ per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
(...)
| c. | In addition, in consideration for the use of the Laboratory Area, AGOMAB shall pay a monthly rent of 704.66.-€ per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
The above amount includes the use of two (2) laboratory cabinets, fully equipped for the execution of small-scale chemical synthesis projects. In addition, the items listed in Clause 2.1.1 (b) above are also provided for AGOMAB 's use of the Laboratory Area.
(...)
| 2.1.5. | The Parties declare that, as of the date of this Agreement, the total number of Users amounts to six (6), which are distributed as follows: |
| a. | two(2) Users for the Laboratory Area, and |
| b. | four(4) Users for the Office Area. |
| 2.1.6. | Pursuant to the provisions of this Clause 2, the Parties declare that the current amount to be paid by AGOMAB to GALCHIMIA as Rent, in exchange of the current number of Users of the Area, is set at 1,409.32.-€, for the Laboratory Area, and 1,004.07.-€, for the Office Area, being the total of both amounts of 2,413.39.-€ ("Renta Actual"). |
(...)”
| Fourth.- | Deposit |
The Parties agree to modify clause 3.1 of the Agreement, regarding the deposit (“fianza”), effective as of the date of signature of this Addendum II, whose wording shall hereinafter read as follows:
“3.1. As a guarantee of its obligations, at the moment of the signature of the Agreement, AGOMAB shall deliver to GALCHIMIA an amount equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of the agreed Rent, as a deposit. If applicable, once five (5) years of duration of the present Agreement have elapsed, GALCHIMIA may require that the deposit is increased, or AGOMAB that it is decreased, to the amount equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of the then-current Rent, as the case may be..”
For clarification purposes, the Parties hereby expressly acknowledge that AGOMAB did not deliver the amount of the deposit to GALCHIMIA at the execution of the Agreement and, therefore, it is in the interest of both Parties to regularize this situation. Accordingly, as of the date of this Addendum II, AGOMAB delivers the amount of 4,826.78.-€, as the Deposit, amount that is equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of Rent and, in turn, GALCHIMIA undertakes to deposit, at the [***], the amount of the aforementioned Deposit.
| Fifth.- | Closing clause |
All the provisions of the Agreement and the Addendum I shall remain in full force and effect, except for those that conflict with this Addendum II, as the latter shall prevail.
The legal regime applicable to this Addendum II in matters of jurisdiction, applicable law or any other circumstance not expressly regulated in this document shall be the same as the one provided for these matters in the Agreement.
2
In witness whereof, the Parties have signed this Addendum II in duplicate originals and for a single purpose, when applicable, as of the effective date and place indicated in the heading.
| /s/ Ms. Carme Pampín Casal | /s/ Mr. Tim Knotnerus | |
GALCHIMIA, S.A. Ms. Carme Pampín Casal |
AGOMAB SPAIN, S.L.U. |
3
ADDENDUM III
TO THE NON-RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT
This Addendum III is made in Touro on April 18th,, 2024 but shall have retroactive effect as of the 1st of January, 2024
By and between
On the one hand, GALCHIMIA, S.A. (hereinafter, “GALCHIMIA”), a Spanish Company, with registered offices at [***], and holder of Spanish Tax Identification number [***], duly represented by Ms. María do Carme Pampín Casal, holding Spanish ID number [***], in her capacity as Managing Director (“Consejera Delegada”).
And on the other hand, AGOMAB SPAIN, S.L.U. (hereinafter, “AGOMAB”), a Spanish Company, with registered offices at [***], and holder of Spanish Tax Identification number [***], duly represented by Mr. Tim Knotnerus, individual representing AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, in its capacity as Sole Director.
Hereinafter, GALCHIMIA and AGOMAB may be referred to, jointly, as the “Parties” and, individually, as the “Party”.
The Parties mutually recognize each other as having the necessary legal capacity to bind themselves pursuant to the terms of the present Addendum III and, to that effect,
Whereas
| I. | That on October 26th, 2021, GALCHIMIA and AGOMAB (formerly known as ORIGO BIOPHARMA, S.L.) entered into a non-residential lease agreement (“Contrato de arrendamiento para uso distinto del de vivienda”) by virtue of which GALCHIMIA, as lessor leases, to AGOMAB, as lessee, a specific area of the industrial building (“nave industrial”) described in the aforementioned agreement (hereinafter, the “Agreement”). |
| II. | That on July 15th, 2022, the Parties entered into an addendum amending the Agreement (the “Addendum I”) in which were modified the number of Users (“Usuarios”) that will have access to the Area (“Espacio”), the amount of the Rent (“Renta”) and the number of square meters of the leased Area. |
| III. | That on March 27th, 2023, the Parties entered into an addendum amending the Agreement (the “Addendum II”) in which were modified the number of Users (“Usuarios”) that will have access to the Area (“Espacio”), the amount of the Rent (“Renta”) and the number of square meters of the leased Area. |
| IV. | That by virtue of clause 2.1.4 c) of the Agreement, the Parties wish to enter into this addendum to the Agreement for the purpose of modifying the number of Users who will have access to the Area and the amount of the Rent / the number of Users who will have access to the Area, the amount of the Rent and the number of square meters of the Area to be leased (hereinafter, the “Addendum III”), all in accordance with the following: |
1
Clauses
| First.- | Definitions and construction |
Unless otherwise provided in this Addendum III, those terms, definitions or words expressed in capital letters and not expressly defined in this Addendum III, shall be construed as set forth and defined for them in the Agreement.
| Second.- | Leased area in the industrial building |
The Parties agree to modify the Exhibit III a) of the Agreement, regarding the description of the leased Industrial Building, effective as of the date of execution of this Addendum III, whose wording shall hereinafter read as follows:
“
| a. | Open-plan area of approximately 40 square meters of usable space, of which 20 m2 correspond to the laboratory area (“Espacio de Laboratorio") and 20 m2 correspond to the office area ("Espacio de Oficina"). The number of square meters stated herein is approximate and subject to change in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.” |
| Third.- | Number of users and amount of current rent |
The Parties agree to partially modify clause 2.1 of the Agreement, regarding the rent, effective as of the date of signature of this Addendum III, the wording of which shall hereinafter read as follows:
| “2.1. | Rent |
| 2.1.1. | In consideration for the lease of the Area, AGOMAB shall pay to GALCHIMIA the amounts detailed below: |
| a. | In consideration for the use of the Office Area, AGOMAB shall pay a monthly rent of 255.00.-€ per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
(...)
| c. | In addition, in consideration for the use of the Laboratory Area, AGOMAB shall pay a monthly rent of 750.00.-€ per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
The above amount includes the use of one (1) laboratory cabinet per user, fully equipped for the execution of small-scale chemical synthesis projects. In addition, the items listed in Clause 2.1.1 (b) above are also provided for AGOMAB 's use of the Laboratory Area.
(...)
2
| 2.1.5. | The Parties declare that, as of the date of this Agreement, the total number of Users amounts to six (6), which are distributed as follows: |
| a. | two(2) Users for the Laboratory Area, and |
| b. | three(3) Users for the Office Area. |
| 2.1.6. | Pursuant to the provisions of this Clause 2, the Parties declare that the current amount to be paid by AGOMAB to GALCHIMIA as Rent, in exchange of the current number of Users of the Area, is set at 1,500.00.-€ for the Laboratory Area, and 765.00.-€, for the Office Area, being the total of both amounts of 2,265.00.-€ ("Renta Actual"). |
(...)”
| Fourth.- | Deposit |
The Parties agree to modify clause 3.1 of the Agreement, regarding the deposit (“fianza”), effective as of the date of signature of this Addendum III, whose wording shall hereinafter read as follows:
“3.1. As a guarantee of its obligations, at the moment of the signature of the Agreement, AGOMAB shall deliver to GALCHIMIA an amount equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of the agreed Rent, as a deposit. If applicable, once five (5) years of duration of the present Agreement have elapsed, GALCHIMIA may require that the deposit is increased, or AGOMAB that it is decreased, to the amount equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of the then-current Rent, as the case may be..”
For clarification purposes, the Parties hereby expressly acknowledge that AGOMAB did not deliver the amount of the deposit to GALCHIMIA at the execution of the Agreement and, therefore, it is in the interest of both Parties to regularize this situation. Accordingly, as of the date of this Addendum III, AGOMAB delivers the amount of 4,530.00.-€, as the Deposit, amount that is equivalent to two (2) monthly payments of Rent and, in turn, GALCHIMIA undertakes to deposit, at the [***] the amount of the aforementioned Deposit.
| Fifth.- | Closing clause |
All the provisions of the Agreement, the Addendum I and the Addendum II shall remain in full force and effect, except for those that conflict with this Addendum III, as the latter shall prevail.
The legal regime applicable to this Addendum III in matters of jurisdiction, applicable law or any other circumstance not expressly regulated in this document shall be the same as the one provided for these matters in the Agreement.
3
In witness whereof, the Parties have signed this Addendum III in duplicate originals and for a single purpose, when applicable, as of the effective date and place indicated in the heading.
| /s/ Ms. Carme Pampín Casal | /s/ Mr. Tim Knotnerus | |
GALCHIMIA, S.A. Ms. Carme Pampín Casal |
AGOMAB SPAIN, S.L.U. |
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ADDENDUM IV
TO THE NON-RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT
This Addendum IV is made in Touro in February 6, 2025 but shall have retroactive effect as of the 1st of January, 2025
By and between
On the one hand, GALCHIMIA, S.A. (hereinafter, “GALCHIMIA”), a Spanish Company, with registered offices at [***], and holder of Spanish Tax Identification number [***], duly represented by Ms. María do Carme Pampín Casal, holding Spanish ID number [***], in her capacity as Managing Director (“Consejera Delegada”).
And on the other hand, AGOMAB SPAIN, S.L.U. (hereinafter, “AGOMAB”), a Spanish Company, with registered offices at [***], and holder of Spanish Tax Identification number [***], duly represented by Mr. Tim Knotnerus, individual representing AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, in its capacity as Sole Director.
Hereinafter, GALCHIMIA and AGOMAB may be referred to, jointly, as the “Parties” and, individually, as the “Party”.
The Parties mutually recognize each other as having the necessary legal capacity to bind themselves pursuant to the terms of the present Addendum III and, to that effect,
Whereas
| I. | That on October 26th, 2021, GALCHIMIA and AGOMAB (formerly known as ORIGO BIOPHARMA, S.L.) entered into a non-residential lease agreement (“Contrato de arrendamiento para uso distinto del de vivienda”) by virtue of which GALCHIMIA, as lessor leases, to AGOMAB, as lessee, a specific area of the industrial building (“nave industrial”) described in the aforementioned agreement (hereinafter, the “Agreement”). |
| II. | That on July 15th, 2022, the Parties entered into an addendum amending the Agreement (the “Addendum I”) in which were modified the number of Users (“Usuarios”) that will have access to the Area (“Espacio”), the amount of the Rent (“Renta”) and the number of square meters of the leased Area. |
| III. | That on March 27th, 2023, the Parties entered into an addendum amending the Agreement (the “Addendum II”) in which were modified the number of Users (“Usuarios”) that will have access to the Area (“Espacio”), the amount of the Rent (“Renta”) and the number of square meters of the leased Area. |
| IV. | That on April 18th, 2024, the Parties entered into an addendum amending the Agreement (the “Addendum III”) in which were modified the number of Users (“Usuarios”) that will have access to the Area (“Espacio”), the amount of the Rent (“Renta”) and the number of square meters of the leased Area. |
| V. | That by virtue of clause 2.1.4 c) of the Agreement, the Parties wish to enter into this addendum to the Agreement for the purpose of modifying the number of Users who will have access to the Area and the amount of the Rent / the number of Users who will have access to the Area and the amount of the Rent and the number of square meters of the Area to be leased (hereinafter, the “Addendum IV”), all in accordance with the following: |
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Clauses
| First.- | Definitions and construction |
Unless otherwise provided in this Addendum IV, those terms, definitions or words expressed in capital letters and not expressly defined in this Addendum IV, shall be construed as set forth and defined for them in the Agreement.
| Second.- | Number of users and amount of current rent |
The Parties agree to partially modify clause 2.1 of the Agreement, regarding the rent, effective as of the date of signature of this Addendum IV, the wording of which shall hereinafter read as follows:
| “2.1. | Rent |
| 2.1.1. | In consideration for the lease of the Area, AGOMAB shall pay to GALCHIMIA the amounts detailed below: |
| a. | In consideration for the use of the Office Area, AGOMAB shall pay a monthly rent of 260.00.-€ per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
(...)
| c. | In addition, in consideration for the use of the Laboratory Area, AGOMAB shall pay a monthly rent of 770.00.-€ per User, as this term is defined in Clause 2.1.4 below. |
The above amount includes the use of one (1) laboratory cabinet per user, fully equipped for the execution of small-scale chemical synthesis projects. In addition, the items listed in Clause 2.1.1 (b) above are also provided for AGOMAB 's use of the Laboratory Area.
(...)
| 2.1.5. | The Parties declare that, as of the date of this Agreement, the total number of Users amounts to five (5), which are distributed as follows: |
| a. | three(3) Users for the Laboratory Area, and |
| b. | two(2) Users for the Office Area. |
| 2.1.6. | Pursuant to the provisions of this Clause 2, the Parties declare that the current amount to be paid by AGOMAB to GALCHIMIA as Rent, in exchange of the current number of Users of the Area, is set at 2,310.00.-€ for the Laboratory Area, and 520.00.-€, for the Office Area, being the total of both amounts of 2,830.00.-€ ("Renta Actual"). |
(...)”
| Third.- | Closing clause |
All the provisions of the Agreement, the Addendum I, the Addendum II and the Addendum III shall remain in full force and effect, except for those that conflict with this Addendum IV, as the latter shall prevail.
The legal regime applicable to this Addendum IV in matters of jurisdiction, applicable law or any other circumstance not expressly regulated in this document shall be the same as the one provided for these matters in the Agreement.
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In witness whereof, the Parties have signed this Addendum IV in duplicate originals and for a single purpose, when applicable, as of the effective date and place indicated in the heading.
| /s/ Ms. Carme Pampín Casal | /s/ Mr. Tim Knotnerus | |
GALCHIMIA, S.A. Ms. Carme Pampín Casal |
AGOMAB SPAIN, S.L.U. |
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Exhibit 10.12
Final version
15 January 2026
2026 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN
Regarding the grant of Options to the managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FOREWORD | 4 |
| 1. | DEFINITIONS | 5 |
| 2. | GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS | 8 |
| 3. | BENEFICIARIES | 8 |
| 4. | NUMBER OF OPTIONS | 9 |
| 5. | OPTIONS | 9 |
| 5.1 | Number of Options per Beneficiary | 9 |
| 5.2 | Nature of the Options | 9 |
| 5.3 | Option Price | 9 |
| 5.4 | Term of Options | 9 |
| 5.5 | Non-transferability and security | 9 |
| 6. | OFFER OF OPTIONS | 10 |
| 6.1 | Offer Date | 10 |
| 6.2 | Acceptance or refusal of the Offer | 10 |
| 6.3 | Acceptance of the Regulations | 11 |
| 7. | EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 11 |
| 7.1 | Exercise conditions | 11 |
| 7.2 | Exercise Price | 11 |
| 7.3 | Consequences of the Exercise | 12 |
| 7.4 | Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods | 12 |
| 7.5 | Number of Shares per Option | 13 |
| 7.6 | Cancellation of the Right to exercise the Options | 13 |
| 7.6.1 | Type C Leaver | 13 |
| 7.6.2 | Type B Leaver | 13 |
| 7.6.3 | Type A Leaver | 14 |
| 7.7 | Exercise Conditions | 14 |
| 7.8 | Payment Conditions | 14 |
| 7.9 | Liquidity Event | 14 |
| 8. | DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY | 15 |
| 9. | NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS | 15 |
| 9.1 | Nature of the shares | 15 |
| 9.2 | Rights attached to the shares | 15 |
| 9.3 | Transferability of the shares | 15 |
| 10. | AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS | 15 |
| 10.1 | Operation | 15 |
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| 10.2 | Adaptation | 16 |
| 10.2.1 | Reorganizations of the Company's Shares | 16 |
| 10.2.2 | Mergers, de-mergers | 16 |
| 10.3 | Notice | 17 |
| 10.4 | Trading Restrictions | 17 |
| 10.5 | Compensation Recovery Policy | 17 |
| 11. | TAXES | 17 |
| 12. | EXPENSES | 18 |
| 12.1 | The Company | 18 |
| 12.2 | The Beneficiaries | 18 |
| 13. | ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS | 19 |
| 14. | INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES | 19 |
| 15. | NULLITY OF A PROVISION | 19 |
| 16. | NOTICES | 19 |
| 17. | APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION | 20 |
| 17.1 | Applicable Law | 20 |
| 17.2 | Jurisdiction | 20 |
| 18. | U.S. BENEFICIARIES | 20 |
| 18.1 | Grant Date | 20 |
| 18.2 | Exercise Price | 20 |
| 18.3 | Section 409A | 21 |
| 18.4 | Currency Exchange Rates | 21 |
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FOREWORD
The 2026 Global Stock Option Plan of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV has been approved by the Board of Directors and the Company's extraordinary shareholders' meeting held on or around 15 January 2026, in order to offer to certain managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, Options allowing them to subscribe to new Shares of the Company.
The 2026 Global Stock Option Plan seeks to motivate and inspire loyalty amongst the Beneficiaries. Aware of the fact that their contribution is essential to the development of the activities and the increase of the results, the Company wishes to give the Beneficiaries the opportunity to become a shareholder or to increase their participation in the share capital of the Company and accordingly the Beneficiaries may expect to make a financial profit in case of a positive evolution of the results and, thus, the value of the Company and, as the case may be, the trading price of the Shares (or the ADSs representing such Shares).
The Board of Directors limits the maximum number of Options to be granted under the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan to the Maximum Number.
The 2026 Global Stock Option Plan is set for a definite period of ten (10) years as of 15 January 2026. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors may at any time decide to terminate the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan or to replace it by another plan if the economic conditions and the performance of the Company require so, without any prejudice to the rights of the Options already granted.
The present Regulations, as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the rights of the Beneficiaries, govern the terms and conditions of the Options.
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1. DEFINITIONS
| Act | means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Act herein will be a reference to any successor or amended to any successor or amended section of the Act. | |
| ADSs | : | American Depositary Shares. |
| Affiliate | : | has the meaning of affiliate (“verbonden persoon of vennootschap” / “personne ou société liée”) as defined in article 1:20 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. |
| Answer Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 2 or any other form (whether physical or digital) in which the Board of Directors would request to respond to the Offer. |
| Belgian Code of Companies and Associations | : | means the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations of 23 March 2019 (as amended from time to time). |
| Beneficiary | : | a manager, employee, director, outside consultant and/or advisor of the Company or the Company’s Subsidiaries (it being understood that if such manager, director, outside consultant and/or advisor would be a management company, the Options shall be granted either to the management company or directly to the manager of such management company to which at least one (1) Option has been granted according to the Regulations or to a decision of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Regulations; provided that, any such Beneficiary is eligible to receive an Option under Instruction A.1(a)(1) of Form S-8 under the Act). |
| Board of Directors | : | means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time. |
| Clause | : | a clause of these Regulations. |
| Company | : | AgomAb Therapeutics NV, a limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” / “société anonyme”) organized and existing under the laws of Belgium, having its registered office at Posthoflei 1, box 6, 2600 Berchem (Antwerp), Belgium, registered with the Register of Legal Entities (“rechtspersonenregister” / “registre des personnes morales”) held with the Crossroads Databank for Enterprises (“Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen” / “Banque Carrefour des Entreprises”) under number 0674.527.310 (RLE Antwerp, division Antwerp). |
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| Code | : | means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code. |
| Control | has the meaning of control as defined in article 1:14 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations | |
| Controlling Interest | : | means an interest in shares giving to the holder or holders Control of the Company. |
| Exercise Conditions | : | the conditions under which the Beneficiaries are allowed to exercise an Option during the Exercise Periods. |
| Exercise Form | : | the form attached in Exhibit 3 or any other form (whether physical or digital) in which the Board of Directors would request to exercise an Option. |
| Exercise Period | : | the period during which Options may be exercised pursuant to the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Exercise Price | : | the amount payable for the exercise of an Option pursuant to the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan, as determined in the Offer Letter and Stock Option Agreement (if any). |
| 2026 Global Stock Option Plan | : | the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan of the Company as defined in the present Regulations and as modified from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of the Regulations. |
| Grant | : | the grant of the Options following the acceptance of an Offer. |
| Liquidity Event | : | (i) a change in Control of the Company, (ii) liquidation and dissolution of the Company, or (iii) the sale by the Company and / or any of its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of its undertaking and assets. |
| Maximum Number | : | five percent (5%) of the total number of outstanding shares of the Company (on a fully diluted basis) immediately after the completion and settlement of the capital increase in cash in the framework of the Company’s initial public offering of ADSs (representing Shares of the Company) in the United States, or, as the case may be, immediately after the completion of the exercise of the over-allotment option (if any), in each case rounded down to the nearest whole number. |
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| Offer | : | the written and dated offer of at least one (1) Option to one or more Beneficiaries according to the terms of the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan. |
| Offer Letter | : | the form attached in Exhibit 1 or any other form, whether physical or digital, through which the Board of Directors would issue an Offer. |
| Option | : | a subscription right (“inschrijvingsrecht” / “droit de souscription”) issued by the Company granting the Beneficiaries the right to subscribe, under the terms and conditions defined in the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan, and the specific terms set out in the Offer Letter and Stock Option Agreement, if any, during the Exercise Periods, to a number of Shares determined by the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan against payment of the Exercise Price. |
| Regulations | : | the present regulations of the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan, as the case may be modified by the Board of Directors in accordance with Clause 13 of these Regulations. |
| Share | : | a new ordinary share of the Company granting the same rights and advantages as the then existing ordinary shares of the Company. |
| Subsidiaries | : | a company under the Control of the Company, as further set forth in article 1:15, 2° of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. |
| Stock Option Agreement | : | an agreement that may be entered into by the Company and the Beneficiary which may impose additional specific conditions or may contain additional provisions with respect to the Options granted to such Beneficiary, taking into account that these conditions and provisions may not be incompatible with the provisions of the Regulations. |
Type A Leaver |
: | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who ceases to be an employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) in circumstances involving his/her/it being (summarily) dismissed or terminated by reason of fraud, dishonesty or gross misconduct/negligence, and, specifically, as far as an employee Beneficiary is concerned, by reason of serious cause ("fraude” I "dor I "despido disciplinario procedente” I "dringende reden” /"motif grave”). |
Type B Leaver |
: | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who ceases to be an employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) voluntarily or as a result of the resignation by the Beneficiary (or his/her management company, as the case may be) for reasons other than severe illness, death or retirement, within the first three (3) years after the date of sending of the Offer Letter addressed to such Beneficiary. |
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Type C Leaver |
: | means a Beneficiary (or its management company, as the case may be) who ceases to be an employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) and who is not a Type A Leaver or a Type B Leaver, or who is otherwise qualified as a Type C Leaver by the Board of Directors. |
| U.S. Beneficiary | : | means a Beneficiary who is or is expected to become a United States resident or otherwise subject to the federal tax laws of the United States. |
2. GENERAL MECHANISM OF THE OFFER OF OPTIONS
The 2026 Global Stock Option Plan offers to the Beneficiaries the opportunity to be granted a certain number of Options for free.
Each Option grants its owner the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to a Share, under the Exercise Conditions, during the Exercise Periods and against payment of the Exercise Price.
3. BENEFICIARIES
The 2026 Global Stock Option Plan is open to the managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Beneficiaries must be identified pursuant to a well-defined procedure established by the Board of Directors, within the limits of the Regulations. Nevertheless, the Company has the right to offer at its sole discretion Options to the managers, employees, directors, outside consultants and/or advisors of the Company or its Subsidiaries. In all cases, Beneficiaries shall be limited to those persons eligible to receive Options pursuant to Instruction A. 1(a)(1) of Form S-8 of the Act.
The Offer of Options does not create in favor of the Beneficiaries any right to receive (additional) Options in the future.
The Offer of Options and the right to exercise them are not part of the employment contract or the service agreement concluded with the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) and can, therefore, not be regarded as acquired rights.
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4. NUMBER OF OPTIONS
The number of Options which may be granted to the Beneficiaries, within the framework of the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan governed by the present Regulations, is limited to the Maximum Number.
5. OPTIONS
5.1 Number of Options per Beneficiary
The number of Options offered to each Beneficiary will be determined in accordance with a well-established procedure, defined by the Board of Directors. Based on this procedure, the Board of Directors will determine the number of Options that it wishes to propose to each Beneficiary.
5.2 Nature of the Options
The Options are exclusively in registered form. As soon as they are offered and accepted, the Options will be registered in a special register kept up-to-date as to the number of Options held by each Beneficiary.
5.3 Option Price
The Options are granted for free to the Beneficiaries.
5.4 Term of Options
The Options are valid for a term of ten (10) years as of 15 January 2026 and ending on 15 January 2036 (the “Expiration Date”), regardless of the day they were granted to the Beneficiaries.
Any Option which has not been exercised at its Expiration Date, shall become null and void and valueless (worthless) without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right.
5.5 Non-transferability and security
The Options are strictly personal and cannot be transferred after the Offer, except:
(i) in case of death as provided for in Clause 8;
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| (ii) | in connection with obligations to transfer resulting from the Company’s articles of association (if any); and |
| (iii) | if the Beneficiary is a management company, such management company may transfer the Options to its manager or to any company in which it holds a Controlling Interest at any moment in time. |
The Options cannot be pledged, nor made subject to any security right or collateral whatsoever.
The Options which would have been transferred, pledged or used as whatsoever kind of security right or collateral in violation of the terms of this Clause 5.5, will not be exercisable.
Any transfer in accordance with this Clause 5.5 must be promptly notified to the Company.
6. OFFER OF OPTIONS
6.1 Offer Date
The Company will address each Beneficiary a duly dated and executed customized Offer Letter, containing all material terms and conditions, for a certain number of Options.
The Options are regarded as offered at the date of sending of the Offer Letter.
6.2 Acceptance or refusal of the Offer
The Beneficiary is free to accept the Offer in full or in part or to refuse it.
An Answer Form is addressed to each Beneficiary with the Offer Letter, by means of which the Beneficiary notifies his/her/its decision with respect to the Offer: acceptance (in full or in part) or refusal.
The Answer Form is returned, duly completed and signed, by the Beneficiary to the Company at the latest on the date mentioned on the Answer Form.
The Offer of Options shall, in any case, be considered totally refused if the Beneficiary has not accepted the Offer in writing within the acceptance period indicated in the Offer Letter (which shall not exceed seventy-five (75) calendar days as from the date of the Offer), without the Beneficiary being able to invoke any compensation right. If the Beneficiary accepts the Offer in writing in whole or in part within sixty (60) calendar days following the date of the Offer, the portion of the Options that has been accepted in writing within such a time frame shall be deemed to have been Granted on the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Offer for Belgian tax purposes, in line with applicable regulations.
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In case of absence of Beneficiary’s signature on the Answer Form, if the Beneficiary has not clearly indicated on the Answer Form whether she/he accepts the Offer in full or in part, or if the Answer Form is not returned or is returned late, the Offer will be considered as fully refused.
If an Option is refused, it shall be deemed never to have been granted to the person and the so refused Options shall remain available to the Company for any further grants to other Beneficiaries.
6.3 Acceptance of the Regulations
The acceptance of the Offer (in full or in part) by the Beneficiary results in the unconditional acceptance of the Regulations, as may be modified pursuant to Clause 13, as well as of each decision of the Board of Directors taken on the basis of these Regulations and communicated to the Beneficiary.
7. EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
7.1 Exercise conditions
The exercise of the Options is subject to the Exercise Conditions described in Clause 7 of these Regulations.
7.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price of the Options shall be determined by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, after having obtained an advice from the Company’s statutory auditor if required by law, and shall be mentioned in the Offer Letter and individual Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the Beneficiary, if any.
Unless determined otherwise by the Board of Directors, to the extent that the Shares (or the ADSs representing such Shares) of the Company are listed or traded on the Nasdaq Global Market (or any other tier on the Nasdaq stock exchange) ("NASDAQ") at the date of the Offer, the Exercise Price will at least be equal to either (at the Company’s discretion) (a) the closing price of the Share (or the ADSs representing such Shares) of the Company on NASDAQ on the last trading day preceding the date of the Offer, or (b) the volume weighted average of the closing prices of the Share (or the ADSs representing such Shares) of the Company on NASDAQ during the last thirty (30) trading days preceding the date of the Offer. The determination of the Exercise Price of Options to U.S. Beneficiaries shall be subject to Article 18.2.
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7.3 Consequences of the Exercise
In case of exercise of the Options, the Shares issued in consideration for the exercise shall be in registered form and will be issued as soon as reasonably possible, taking into account the applicable administrative and corporate formalities and taking into account the number of Shares to be issued, after the end of the Exercise Period, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. Unless determined otherwise by the Board of Directors, to the extent that the Shares (or the ADSs representing such Shares) of the Company are listed or traded on NASDAQ, the Beneficiary who has exercised Options may request the Company to have the issued Shares (as the case may be, and subject to applicable laws and regulations and the applicable terms of the ADS program, in the form of ADSs representing such Shares) listed for trading on NASDAQ. All direct costs and taxes in connection with the ADS program, including, without limitation, bank fees and similar charges, shall be borne by the relevant shareholder. For the avoidance of doubt, notarial fees and legal fees shall be borne by the Company. The Company shall provide reasonable support in relation to the aforementioned exercise and listing process.
7.4 Vesting of Options and Exercise Periods
Unless explicitly decided otherwise by the Board of Directors, Options offered under this 2026 Global Stock Option Plan will be offered with the following vesting schedule:
| · | The Options will not vest during the first twelve (12) months as of the date of the Offer Letter. | ||
| · | Afterwards, the vesting of the Options will take place as follows: |
| - | twelve (12) months after the date of the Offer Letter: vesting of 25% of the Options; |
| - | as of the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter: the remaining 75% of the Options will vest on a monthly basis over a period of thirty six (36) months (i.e. vesting of 2.083% (rounded) of the Options per fully lapsed month). |
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the vested Options may be exercised as from the commencement (January 1) of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the Options were offered.
Unless explicitly decided otherwise by the Board of Directors, Options offered to directors of the Company under this 2026 Global Stock Option Plan will fully (100%) vest and be fully exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of the Offer Letter.
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The Board of Directors will establish at least two Exercise Periods, each of at least two weeks, per calendar year. The Board of Directors may establish more than two Exercise Periods per calendar year if it deems fit.
All non-exercised Options coming to their Expiration Date become null and void without their Beneficiary having any right to claim any damages whatsoever, in accordance with Clause 5.4.
The Stock Option Agreement (if any) can deviate from these rules.
7.5 Number of Shares per Option
One (1) Option gives right to one (1) Share.
7.6 Cancellation of the right to exercise the Options
7.6.1 Type C Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type C Leaver at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Subsidiaries, will automatically be cancelled and expire, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Subsidiaries.
The Type C Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her/its Options which are vested at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, manager, director, consultant or advisor of the Company or its Subsidiaries, during any valid exercise period after such time he/she/it ceases to be employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
7.6.2 Type B Leaver
Unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors, the Options which are not yet vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, and which are held by a Type B Leaver at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Subsidiaries, will automatically be cancelled and expire, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Subsidiaries.
The Type B Leaver remains entitled to exercise his/her/its Options which are vested at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Subsidiaries, during the first valid exercise period for his/her vested Options in accordance with Clause 7.4 of these Regulations, after the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Vested Options that are not exercised by the Type B Leaver during that exercise period, will expire, without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Subsidiaries.
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7.6.3 Type A Leaver
The Options, whether or not they are vested pursuant to Clause 7.4, which are held by a Type A Leaver at the time he/she/it ceases to be employee, manager, director, consultant and/or advisor of the Company or its Subsidiaries, will automatically be cancelled and expire, without any right of exercise and without any compensation of whatever nature being due by the Company or its Subsidiaries.
7.7 Exercise Conditions
The Options can be exercised through the delivery of an Exercise Form to the Company, for the attention of the Board of Directors. The Exercise Form can either (i) be personally delivered, (ii) be sent by email, (iii) be sent by registered letter, or (iv) if applicable, via an online tool, with either one having to be received by the Company no later than the last calendar day of an exercise period as referred to in Clause 7.4.
The Exercise Form must be fully completed and signed by the Beneficiary and indicate the number of Options that the Beneficiary wishes to exercise.
The exercise of the Options is unconditional.
7.8 Payment conditions
Payment is made by wire transfer of the Exercise Price of all exercised Options to a blocked bank account of the Company, mentioned by the latter on the Exercise Form.
7.9 Liquidity Event
Unless determined otherwise by the Board of Directors, in case of a Liquidity Event, all of the Options will immediately vest and will be immediately exercisable during an Exercise Period determined by the Board of Directors.
The tax consequences, if any, of an accelerated exercise pursuant to this Clause 7.9 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
The Stock Option Agreement (if any) can deviate from the aforementioned rules.
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8. DEATH OF THE BENEFICIARY
In case of death of the Beneficiary (natural person), his/her Options may be exercised by his/her designated legal successors. The same rules apply to the successors as to the Beneficiaries who are Type C Leavers.
The succession (inheritance) rules will be observed. Nevertheless, in case of multiple legal successors or in case of split reversionary ownership / life tenancy (usufruct), a single representative will be elected by the successors for the purpose of exercising the Options.
The Company is entitled to suspend the right to exercise the Options until the appointment of such a representative is duly notified to the Company.
9. NATURE OF THE SHARES ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
9.1 Nature of the Shares
The Shares are ordinary shares of the Company.
9.2 Rights attached to the Shares
The Shares issued at the occasion of the exercise of the Options will have the same rights and benefits as, and shall rank pari passu in all respects, including as to entitlement to dividends and other distributions, with the existing and outstanding shares of the Company at the moment of their issuance, and will be entitled to dividends and other distributions in respect of which the relevant record date or due date falls on or after the issue date of the Shares.
9.3 Transferability of the Shares
Notwithstanding contractual lock-up undertakings from time to time, the transfer of Shares is subject to the terms and conditions defined in the articles of association of the Company.
10. AUTHORIZED OPERATIONS AND ADAPTATIONS
10.1 Operation
The Company remains entitled to proceed to any action, transaction or operation resulting in changes in the amount or composition of the corporate capital or in the number and nature of the shares representing the capital, such as, but not limited to, regrouping or splitting of the shares, the issuance of subscription rights or convertible bonds, the increase of the capital through contribution in kind or incorporation of reserves, the capital decrease, the splitting, the merger, the acquisition or disposal of certain assets, the (partial) demerger or the distribution of dividends in shares, without the prior consent of the Beneficiaries, if necessary, even if such actions, transactions or operations would lead to a reduction of the benefits allocated to the holders of the Options.
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Should the rights of a holder of Options with respect to the Options of such holder be affected by such action, transaction or operation, then the holder of the Options shall not be entitled to a change of the Exercise Price, a change of the exercise conditions or any other form of (financial or other) compensation, unless the Board of Directors would explicitly decide otherwise.
The holder of Options shall not be entitled to exercise his/her/its Options in case of a capital increase in cash in the Company, in accordance with Article 7:71 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations.
10.2 Adaptation
10.2.1 Reorganizations of the Company's Shares
In the event that at any time as of the issue date of the Options up to the exercise of an Option, the Company (i) sub-divides its shares into a larger number of shares, or (ii) combines its shares into a smaller number of shares, then the number of Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option after the occurrence of one of such events shall be adjusted so that, after giving effect to such adjustment, the holder of the Option shall be entitled to receive the number of Shares upon exercise of the Option that such holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive had this Option been exercised immediately prior to the occurrence of the event concerned.
An adaptation made pursuant to this Clause 10.2.1 shall become effective after the effective date of the event concerned. The Company shall inform the Beneficiaries of such adjustment by means of a notice as soon as practicable after the effective date of the event concerned.
The tax consequences, if any, of any such adaptation pursuant to this Clause 10.2.1 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
10.2.2 Mergers, de-mergers
In the event that at any time as of the issue date of the Options up to the exercise of an Option, there is (i) a merger of the Company with or into another person or entity whereby the Company is not the surviving entity, or (ii) a de-merger of the Company, whereby in both (i) and (ii) the shares of the Company are exchanged into shares, other securities, cash or other property of one or more other persons or entities, then the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option after the occurrence of one of such events shall be adjusted so that, after giving effect to such adjustment, the Beneficiary shall upon exercise of the Option be entitled to receive the number of shares, other securities, cash or other property of the successor or acquiring persons or entities that such holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive had this Option been exercised immediately prior to the occurrence of the event concerned.
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An adjustment made pursuant to this Clause 10.2.2 shall become effective immediately after the effective date of the event concerned. The Company shall inform the Beneficiary of such adjustment by means of a notice as soon as practicable after the effective date of the event concerned.
In case of any such merger or de-merger, the Company must procure that the successor or acquiring persons or entities shall expressly assume the due observance and performance of each and every covenant and obligation of the Regulations, the Offer Letter, the applicable Stock Option Agreements (if any) and any applicable sub-plans to be performed and observed by the Company.
The tax consequences, if any, of any such adaptation pursuant to this Clause 10.2.2 will be borne exclusively by the relevant Beneficiary.
10.3 Notice
The possible adaption of the terms and conditions of the exercise of the Options referred to in Clause 10.2 will be notified in an appropriate way to the Beneficiaries concerned.
10.4 Trading Restrictions
Option exercises shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.
10.5 Compensation Recovery Policy
Options under this 2026 Global Stock Option Plan shall be subject to the Company’s compensation recovery policies and procedures, as may be in effect from time to time.
11. TAXES
The Beneficiary shall be solely liable for and undertakes to pay any income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest due by the Beneficiary in connection with the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option, or the acquisition, holding or transfer of the Shares (and/or the ADSs representing such Shares) acquired upon exercise of the Options.
If according to applicable local laws, the grant of an Option or the exercise of the Option, is to be considered as a benefit in kind, such benefit in kind should be taxable at the same time and in the same way as the other earned income and, as far as the members of the personnel and directors are concerned, should be subject to the wage withholding tax and reporting. If so provided by applicable local laws, the wage withholding and income tax remains due even if the Options are not or cannot be exercised.
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Pursuant to applicable laws, the Company (including, for purposes of this paragraph, an Affiliate) may be required to collect income or other taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest, upon the grant, vesting or exercise of an Option. The Company may require, as a condition to the grant or exercise of an Option, or at such other time as it may consider appropriate, that the Beneficiary pays the Company the amount of any taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest which the Company may determine is required to be withheld or collected, and that the Beneficiary shall comply with the requirement or demand of the Company. In its discretion, the Company may withhold Shares to be received upon exercise of the Option if it deems this an appropriate method for withholding or collecting taxes, social security contributions, penalties or interest.
In general, since the principles of the applicable laws described in this Clause 11 are for mere information purposes only and are only given as a general outline, it is recommended to seek advice from a personal tax counsel. The Company shall not take any responsibility regarding the tax and social security consequences of the grant, acceptance or exercise of Options, which may vary in the future, nor regarding the subsequent sale of the underlying shares. Only the Beneficiaries are responsible for reporting the taxable event resulting from the Options and, possibly, the subsequent sale of the underlying shares in the appropriate personal income tax return which they are to file. The Company invites, therefore, the Beneficiaries to seek advice and to take the necessary precautionary actions they will judge useful or necessary to verify, complete or update this information.
12. EXPENSES
12.1 The Company
Subject to Clause 11, all of Company’s expenses in connection with the issue of the Options will be borne by the Company.
12.2 The Beneficiaries
Unless otherwise provided for in the Regulations, as modified from time to time, all costs in relation to the exercise of the Options, the sale of the Shares (and/or ADSs representing such Shares) acquired by exercising the Options and the transfer of Options and/or Shares (and/or ADSs representing such Shares) in case of death, will be borne by the Beneficiary.
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13. ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors may modify the Regulations, taking into account the Beneficiaries’ rights, and without any prejudice to the rights attached to the Options granted to the Beneficiaries. Any modification will be enforceable against the Beneficiaries five (5) calendar days after notification in writing to the Beneficiaries.
The Board of Directors has the power to take any decision useful or necessary to implement the Regulations in accordance with the applicable legislation. Any decision with legal impact will be notified in writing to the Beneficiaries concerned.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Regulations, the Board of Directors may amend or supplement the Regulations including, without limitation, approving and adopting any and all sub-plans or appendices for employees, managers, consultants and/or advisors, including employees, managers, consultants and/or advisors outside of Belgium, provided that such sub-plans or appendices conform with any applicable local tax laws and do not negatively impact the Beneficiaries’ rights attached to the Options.
14. INFORMATION TO THE BENEFICIARIES
The Offer does not constitute an incentive nor a recommendation by the Company to subscribe to Options, nor to exercise them at a later point in time. Therefore, the Beneficiaries are recommended to inform themselves and, as the case may be, to ask assistance in taking decisions that might have an impact on their estate.
The Company cannot be held liable for any damage or loss possibly suffered by the Beneficiaries as a result of their participation in the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan.
15. NULLITY OF A PROVISION
The nullity or unenforceability of any provision of this 2026 Global Stock Option Plan does not in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this 2026 Global Stock Option Plan. In this case, the invalid or unenforceable provision will be replaced by an equivalent valid and enforceable provision having a similar economic effect for the parties concerned.
16. NOTICES
Any notice to the holders of Options shall be made to the address mentioned in the subscription rights register of the Company, or to the e-mail address provided by them to the Company. Any notice to the Company or to the Board of Directors, shall be validly made to the address of the registered office of the Company.
Address modifications must be notified in accordance with this provision.
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17. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
17.1 Applicable law
The Regulations, the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan and the Options are subject to Belgian law.
17.2 Jurisdiction
Any dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation, performance, validity or termination of the 2026 Global Stock Option Plan will be exclusively submitted to the courts of the location of the registered office of the Company.
18. U.S. BENEFICIARIES
18.1 Grant Date
Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Option will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, regardless of when the Stock Option Agreement (if any), or such other instrument, certificate, book entry, or letter evidencing the Option is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, a U.S. Beneficiary (the “U.S. Grant Date”) for U.S. law purposes only.
18.2 Exercise Price
The Exercise Price per Share purchasable under any Option granted to a U.S. Beneficiary will be determined by the Board of Directors and will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a Share on the U.S. Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with an exercise price per Share that is less than 100 percent of the fair market value on the date of grant (i) pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code, or (ii) the Options are otherwise compliant with or exempt from Section 409A of the Code. For purposes hereof, the “fair market value” shall be determined (A) if the Shares (or the ADSs representing such Shares) are listed on any established stock exchange, by reference to market quotations and in a manner permitted under Section 409A of the Code and (B) in the absence of an established market for the Shares (or the ADSs representing such Shares), by the Board of Directors in good faith by application of a reasonable valuation method not inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code.
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18.3 Section 409A
Unless otherwise expressly provided for by the Board of Directors at the time of grant, the terms applicable to Options granted to U.S. Beneficiaries under this 2026 Global Stock Option Plan will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes such Options exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and, to the extent not so exempt, that brings the Options into compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this 2026 Global Stock Option Plan (and unless the Stock Option Agreement, if any, or other written contract with the U.S. Beneficiary specifically provides otherwise), if the Shares (or the ADSs representing such Shares) are publicly traded, and if a U.S. Beneficiary of an Option that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” under Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six (6) months following the date of such U.S. Beneficiary’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the U.S. Beneficiary’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that does not result in accelerated taxation or a tax penalty under Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six (6) month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule. Any adjustments to Options held by U.S. Beneficiaries pursuant to clause 10.2 of the Regulations shall be done only to the extent permitted by, and in a manner that complies with, Section 409A of the Code.
18.4 Currency Exchange Rates
The Company reserves the right to determine in good faith the timing of any currency exchange in connection with the grant or exercise of an Option, and the controlling exchange rate to be used. The Company will not be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation that may affect the value of an Option, the Exercise Price or withholding taxes payable by a U.S. Beneficiary or any amounts payable to a U.S. Beneficiary in connection with the subsequent sale of any Shares (or ADSs representing such Shares) acquired upon exercise.
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EXHIBIT 1 - Offer Letter
2026 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[Date]
Re: Offer of Options
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV is pleased to offer you [•] Options at the exercise price of EUR [•] per Option, which will vest as per the following schedule
[•]
and with a term expiring on [•].
The conditions applying to these Options are set out in the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement (if any).
The Answer Form and the Stock Option Agreement, if any, must be returned, duly completed and signed, to AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV, for the attention of the Board of Directors of AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV by [•] at the latest. Please note that failure to complete, sign or to send the Answer Form or sending it late will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused.
Yours sincerely,
AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
[•]
| Read and approved | |
| [•] |
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EXHIBIT 2 - Answer Form
2026 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
Grant
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to have full knowledge of the Regulations regarding the abovementioned 2026 Global Stock Option Plan and accepts the terms and conditions of the Offer as set out in the Offer Letter, the Regulations and the Stock Option Agreement (if any).
The undersigned hereby notifies his/her/its decision in respect of the Grant dated (DATE). He/She declares:
Please tick ONE option
- to accept all the Options offered.
- to accept out of the Options offered.
- to refuse all the Options offered.
(Complete and delete as applicable)
The undersigned acknowledges that the Exercise Price of the Options is set at EUR [•] (rounded) per Share subject to the Options.
Done on
Signature
| Important: | 1) This document must be returned to [•] by [•] at the latest, duly completed and signed. |
| 2) Failure to sign or send this document in time will result in the Options being deemed to have been fully refused. |
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EXHIBIT 3 - Exercise Form
2026 GLOBAL STOCK OPTION PLAN OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
The undersigned (NAME)
domiciled / having its registered office at (FULL ADDRESS)
hereby declares to exercise the following Options:
(NUMBER) Options, attributed on (DATE) at the Exercise Price of (AMOUNT) EUR = (AMOUNT) EUR
Total amount: EUR
This total amount will be paid to the account N° [•] (NUMBER) for value [•] (DATE) at the latest.
I hereby acknowledge that if the abovementioned amount is paid late or is not paid in full by [•] (DATE), the exercise will not take place. In such a case, please transfer the insufficient amount paid or the amount that was paid late to the account number (NUMBER)
Done at on
Signature
| Please send this document by [•] at the latest to [•] duly completed and signed. |
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EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF AGOMAB THERAPEUTICS NV
| Name | Jurisdiction of Incorporation | |
| Agomab Spain, S.L.U. | Spain | |
| Agomab US, Inc. | United States |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-1 of AgomAb Therapeutics NV of our report dated October 27, 2025 relating to the financial statements of AgomAb Therapeutics NV, which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
Diegem, Belgium
January 16, 2026
PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV / Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL
Represented by
/s/ Didier Delanoye
Statutory auditor
Exhibit 99.1
January 16, 2026
Via EDGAR
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Life Sciences
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C., 20549
| Attn: | Franklin Wyman, Kevin Kuhar, Jessica Dickerson, Jason Drory |
| Re: |
AgomAb Therapeutics NV Registration Statement on Form F-1 CIK No. 0002020932 |
| Request for Waiver and Representation under Item 8.A.4 of Form 20-F |
Dear Sir or Madam:
The undersigned, AgomAb Therapeutics NV, a limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap) incorporated under the laws of Belgium (the “Company”), is submitting this letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended, initially filed on January 16, 2026 (the “Registration Statement”) relating to a proposed initial public offering and listing of the Company’s American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each ADS representing one of its common shares, on the Nasdaq Global Market.
The Company has included in the Registration Statement its audited consolidated financial statements as of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2025, and for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.
The Company respectfully requests that the Commission waive the requirement of Item 8.A.4 of Form 20-F, which states that in the case of a company’s initial public offering, the registration statement on Form F-1 must contain audited financial statements of a date not older than 12 months from the date of the offering (the “12-Month Requirement”). See also Division of Corporation Finance, Financial Reporting Manual, Section 6220.3.
The Company is submitting this waiver request pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 8.A.4 of Form 20-F, which provides that the Commission will waive the 12-Month Requirement “in cases where the company is able to represent adequately to us that it is not required to comply with this requirement in any other jurisdiction outside the United States and that complying with this requirement is impracticable or involves undue hardship.” See also the 2004 release entitled International Reporting and Disclosure Issues in the Division of Corporation Finance (available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/internatl/cfirdissues1104.htm) by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission at Section III.B.c, in which the staff notes that:
“the instruction indicates that the staff will waive the 12-month requirement where it is not applicable in the registrant’s other filing jurisdictions and is impracticable or involves undue hardship. As a result, we expect that the vast majority of IPOs will be subject only to the 15-month rule. The only times that we anticipate audited financial statements will be filed under the 12-month rule are when the registrant must comply with the rule in another jurisdiction, or when those audited financial statements are otherwise readily available.”
In connection with this waiver request, the Company represents to the Commission that:
| 1. | The Company is not required by any jurisdiction outside the United States to prepare consolidated financial statements audited under any generally accepted auditing standards for any interim period. |
| 2. | Full compliance with Item 8.A.4 of Form 20-F at present is impracticable and involves undue hardship for the Company. |
| 3. | The Company does not anticipate that its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 will be available until April 2026. |
| 4. | In no event will the Company seek effectiveness of the Registration Statement if its audited financial statements are older than 15 months at the time of the Company’s initial public offering. |
The Company will file this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 8.A.4 of Form 20-F.
| Sincerely, | |
| /s/ Tim Knotnerus | |
| Tim Knotnerus, Chief Executive Officer |