Akebia Therapeutics, Inc 8-K, filed Apr 28, 2023
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (AKBA)
About this 8-K
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc filed this 8-K on April 28, 2023, reporting on events of April 27, 2023.
Items reported
- Item 5.03: Charter or bylaw amendment, or fiscal year change
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 5.03. | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On April 27, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (as so amended and restated, the “Second Amended and Restated Bylaws”), effective immediately. The amendments effected by the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, among other things:
| • | Eliminate the former requirement that the list of stockholders entitled to vote at a stockholder meeting also be made available during the actual meeting; |
| • | Address adjournment of stockholder meetings relying on remote communication due to a technical failure; and |
| • | Revise and enhance, in light of the universal proxy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, procedural mechanics and disclosure requirements in connection with stockholder nominations of directors and submission of proposals regarding other business at stockholder meetings by: |
| • | Requiring additional background information, disclosures and certain representations from proposing stockholders and beneficial owners and the respective affiliates and associates of, or others acting in concert with such stockholder and such beneficial owner (each, a “Stockholder Associated Person”); |
| • | Providing that if any stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person that intends to solicit proxies in support of any nominees other than the Company’s nominees provides the notice and information required by Rule 14a-19(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), then such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person, upon request by the Company, must provide to the Company no later than five business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act; and |
| • | Providing that if any stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act (or fails to timely provide reasonable evidence sufficient to satisfy the Company that such requirements have been met), then the Company will disregard the nomination of each of the director nominees proposed by such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person and any proxies or votes solicited for such nominees. |
The Second Amended and Restated Bylaws also includes various other updates, including certain technical, conforming and clarifying changes. The foregoing description of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 3.1 | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||||
| Date: April 28, 2023 | By: | /s/ John P. Butler | ||
| Name: | John P. Butler | |||
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Exhibit 3.1
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SECTION 1 - STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.1. Place of Meetings. All meetings of stockholders of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), shall be held at such place, if any, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or, if not so designated, at the principal executive office of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but shall instead be held solely by means of remote communication in a manner consistent with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).
Section 1.2. Annual Meeting.
An annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held on the date and at the hour that the Board of Directors shall each year fix. The Corporation may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.
Section 1.3. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Notice of every special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited exclusively to the business set forth in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, and the individual or group calling such meeting shall have exclusive authority to determine the business included in such notice. The Corporation may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.
Section 1.4. Advance Notice of Proposals of Business and Nominations.
(a) Notice of Business at Annual Meetings of Stockholders
(1) At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (1) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (2) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (3) properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an
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annual meeting by a stockholder, (i) if such business relates to the nomination of a person for election as a director of the Corporation, the procedures in Section 1.4(b) must be complied with and (ii) if such business relates to any other matter, the business must constitute a proper matter under Delaware law for stockholder action and the stockholder must (x) have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary in accordance with the procedures in, and otherwise complied with, Section 1.4(a)(2), (y) be a stockholder of record who is entitled to vote on such business on the date of the giving of such notice and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (z) be entitled to vote at such annual meeting.
(2) To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received in writing by the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held or deemed to have been held in the preceding year, a stockholder’s notice must be so received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of such annual meeting was given or public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting (or the public disclosure thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice.
The stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth: (A) as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (2) the text of the proposal (including the exact text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws, the exact text of the proposed amendment), and (3) the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and (B) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class and series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned, beneficially or of record, by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) a description of any material interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any respective affiliates and associates of, or others acting in concert with, such stockholder and such beneficial owner (each, a “Stockholder Associated Person”) in the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting, (4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between or among such stockholder, such beneficial owner, any Stockholder Associated Person and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business or who may participate in the solicitation of proxies in favor of such proposal, (5) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, swaps, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder,
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such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, (6) any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the business proposed pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (7) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting, (8) a representation that such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person has complied, and will comply, with all applicable requirements of state law and the Exchange Act with respect to matters set forth in this Section 1.4(a), and (9) a representation whether such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group that intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal (and such representation shall be included in any such proxy statement and form of proxy) and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal (and such representation shall be included in any such solicitation materials). Not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting, the information required by Items (A)(3) and (B)(1)-(6) of the prior sentence shall be supplemented by the stockholder giving the notice to provide updated information as of the record date. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the procedures in this Section 1.4(a) (other than a proposal included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a stockholder shall not have complied with this Section 1.4(a)(2) if the stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person solicits or does not solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s proposal in contravention of the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.4(a).
(3) The chairman of any annual meeting (and, in advance of any annual meeting, the Board of Directors) shall have the power and duty to determine whether business was properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.4(a) (including whether the stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person did or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s proposal in compliance with the representation with respect thereto required by this Section 1.4(a)), and if the chairman (or the Board of Directors) should determine that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.4(a), the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and such business shall not be brought before the annual meeting.
(4) Except as otherwise required by law, nothing in this Section 1.4(a) shall obligate the Corporation or the Board of Directors to include in any proxy statement or other stockholder communication distributed on behalf of the Corporation or the Board of Directors information with respect to any proposal submitted by a stockholder.
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(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.4(a), unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting to present business, such business shall not be considered, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such business may have been received by the Corporation.
(6) For purposes of this Section 1.4(a), the terms “qualified representative of the stockholder” and “public disclosure” shall have the same meaning as in Section 1.4(b).
(7) Unless the Corporation elects otherwise, a stockholder’s notice to the Corporation of other business shall be in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and shall be delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and the Corporation shall not be required to accept delivery of any document not in such written form or so delivered.
(b) Nomination of Directors
(1) Except for any directors entitled to be elected by the holders of preferred stock, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures in this Section 1.4(b) shall be eligible for election as directors at any meeting of stockholders. Nomination for election to the Board of Directors at a meeting of stockholders may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (x) has given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary in accordance with the procedures in, and otherwise complies with, Section 1.4(b)(2), (y) is a stockholder of record who is entitled to vote for the election of such nominee on the date of the giving of such notice and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (z) is entitled to vote at such meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein to the contrary, a stockholder of the Corporation may make nominations for election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting of stockholders pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) only if the Board of Directors has determined, in accordance with Section 1.3, that directors shall be elected at such special meeting and at such time that the stockholders are not prohibited from filling vacancies or newly created directorships on the Board of Directors. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a meeting (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such meeting.
(2) To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received in writing by the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation as follows: (1) in the case of an election of directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held or deemed to have been held in the preceding year, a stockholder’s notice must be so received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (B) the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of such
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annual meeting was given or public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs; or (2) in the case of an election of directors at a special meeting of stockholders, provided that the Board of Directors has determined, in accordance with Section 1.3, that directors shall be elected at such special meeting and the stockholders are not then prohibited from filling vacancies or newly created directorships on the Board of Directors, and provided further that the nomination made by the stockholder is for one of the director positions that the Board of Directors has determined will be filled at such special meeting, not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such special meeting and (y) the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of such special meeting was given or public disclosure of the date of such special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of a meeting (or the public disclosure thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice.
The stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth: (A) as to each proposed nominee (1) such person’s name, age, business address and, if known, residence address, (2) such person’s principal occupation or employment, (3) the class and series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned, beneficially or of record, by such person, (4) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among (x) the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made and any Stockholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and (y) each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with such nominee(s), on the other hand, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made or any Stockholder Associated Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such Item and the proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (5) any other information concerning such person that must be disclosed as to nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; and (B) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class and series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned, beneficially or of record, by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) a description of any material interest related to the nomination of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person, (4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between or among such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are being made or who may participate in the solicitation of proxies or votes in favor of electing such nominee(s), (5) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, swaps, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price
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changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, (6) any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (7) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person(s) named in its notice, (8) a representation that such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person has complied, and will comply, with all applicable requirements of state law and the Exchange Act with respect to matters set forth in this Section 1.4(b), and (9) a representation whether such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group that intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock reasonably believed by such stockholder or such beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee (and such representation shall be included in any such proxy statement and form of proxy) and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such nomination (and such representation shall be included in any such solicitation materials). Not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting, the information required by Items (A)(1)-(5) and (B)(1)-(6) of the prior sentence shall be supplemented by the stockholder giving the notice to provide updated information as of the record date. In addition, to be effective, the stockholder’s notice must also be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement and accompanying proxy card as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected. To be qualified to be a nominee for election or re-election as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver (in the case of a person nominated by a stockholder in accordance with this Section 1.4(b), in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under such sections) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein and (iii) would be in compliance, and if elected as a director of the Corporation will comply, with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as the Corporation may reasonably require to determine, among other
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things, the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation or whether such nominee would be independent under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and stock exchange rules and the Corporation’s publicly disclosed corporate governance guidelines. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a stockholder shall not have complied with this Section 1.4(b)(2) if the stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person solicits or does not solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee in contravention of the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.4(b).
The stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must also be accompanied by a representation as to whether or not such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person intends to solicit proxies in support of any director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, and, where such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person intends to so solicit proxies, the notice and information required by Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these bylaws, unless otherwise required by law, if any stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person (i) provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act and (ii) subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act (or fails to timely provide reasonable evidence sufficient to satisfy the Corporation that such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act in accordance with the following sentence), then the nomination of each of the director nominees proposed by such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies or votes in respect of the election of such proposed nominees may have been received by the Corporation (which proxies and votes shall be disregarded). Upon request by the Corporation, if any stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act, such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person shall deliver to the Corporation, no later than five business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act.
(3) The chairman of any meeting (and, in advance of any meeting, the Board of Directors) shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.4(b) (including whether the stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person did or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee in compliance with the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.4(b)), and if the chairman (or the Board of Directors) should determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.4(b), the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and such nomination shall not be brought before the meeting.
(4) Except as otherwise required by law (including Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act), nothing in this Section 1.4(b) shall obligate the Corporation or the Board of Directors to include in any proxy statement, proxy card or other stockholder communication distributed on behalf of the Corporation or the Board of Directors the name of or other information with respect to any nominee for director submitted by a stockholder.
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(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.4(b), unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present a nomination, such nomination shall not be brought before the meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominee may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1.4(b), to be considered a “qualified representative of the stockholder”, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a written instrument executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such written instrument or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the written instrument or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.
(6) For purposes of this Section 1.4(b), “public disclosure” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(7) Unless the Corporation elects otherwise, a stockholder’s notice to the Corporation of nominations shall be in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and shall be delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and the Corporation shall not be required to accept delivery of any document not in such written form or so delivered.
Section 1.5. Notice of Meetings.
Notice of the place, if any, date and hour of all meetings of stockholders of the Corporation, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of all special meetings of stockholders, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date on which such meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given to stockholders, any notice shall be effective if given in accordance with Section 232 of the DGCL.
The Corporation may postpone or cancel any previously called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation by making a public disclosure (as defined in Section 1.4(b)(6)) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. When a previously called annual or special meeting is postponed to another hour, date or place, if any, notice of the place (if any), date and hour of the postponed meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed present and vote at such postponed meeting, shall be given in conformity with this Section 1.5 unless such meeting is postponed to a date that is not more than 60 days after the date that the initial notice of the meeting was provided in conformity with this Section 1.5.
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Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned from time to time to reconvene at any other time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these bylaws by the chairman of the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (including an adjournment taken to address a technical failure to convene or continue a meeting using remote communication), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are (i) announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, (ii) displayed, during the time scheduled for the meeting, on the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxy holders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication or (iii) set forth in the notice of meeting given in accordance with this Section 1.5. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting that is the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
Section 1.6. Quorum.
At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to cast a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, present in person, present by means of remote communication in any manner, if any, authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number is required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation. If a separate vote by one or more classes or series is required, the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the shares of the class or classes or series, present in person, present by means of remote communication in a manner, if any, authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the subsequent withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.
If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and hour.
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Section 1.7. Organization.
The chairman of the Board of Directors or, in his or her absence, the person whom the Board of Directors designates or, in the absence of that person or the failure of the Board of Directors to designate a person, the President of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, the person chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be the person the chairman appoints.
Section 1.8. Conduct of Business.
(a) Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall determine the order of business and the rules of procedure for the conduct of such meeting, including the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as such chairman determines to be in order, and such guidelines and procedures as such chairman may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting and prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as shall be determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of any meeting; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.
(b) The chairman of the meeting shall announce at the meeting when the polls for each matter to be voted upon at the meeting will be opened and closed. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes or any revocation or changes thereto may be accepted.
Section 1.9. Proxies; Inspectors of Election.
(a) At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by applicable law, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Any person directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Corporation must use a proxy card color other than white, the color white being reserved for the exclusive use of the Board of Directors.
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(b) Prior to a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the Corporation shall appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by applicable law, shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Each inspector, before beginning the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of inspectors. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law and, when the vote is completed, shall make a certificate of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be required by law. Every vote taken by ballots shall be counted by a duly appointed inspector or duly appointed inspectors.
Section 1.10. Voting.
Except as otherwise required by the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or the Certificate of Incorporation, all matters other than the election of directors shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast on the matter affirmatively or negatively. All elections of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast.
Section 1.11. Action by Written Consent.
Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders of the Corporation may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.
Section 1.12. Voting List.
The Corporation shall prepare, no later than the tenth day before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of 10 days ending on the day before the meeting date: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 1.12 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
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SECTION 2 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 2.1. General Powers and Qualifications of Directors.
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities that these bylaws expressly confer upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by the DGCL or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation to be qualified for election or service as a director of the Corporation.
Section 2.2. Number of Directors.
Subject to the special rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be established from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.3. Regular Meetings.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the place, if any, on the date and at the hour as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A notice of a regular meeting, the date of which has been so publicized, shall not be required.
Section 2.4. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or two or more directors then in office. Notice of the place, if any, date and hour of each special meeting shall be given to each director either (a) by mailing written notice thereof not less than five days before the meeting, or (b) by telephone, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission providing notice thereof not less than twenty-four hours before the meeting. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present (except as otherwise provided by law) or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in writing, either before or after such meeting. Any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 2.5. Quorum.
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date or hour, without further notice or waiver thereof.
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Section 2.6. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone or Other Communications Equipment.
Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.7. Conduct of Business.
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in the order and manner that the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present, provided a quorum is present at the time such matter is acted upon, except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws or required by applicable law. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may take action without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings, or electronic transmission or electronic transmissions, are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 2.8. Chairman of the Board.
The Board of Directors may elect or remove, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, a Chairman. Any Chairman must be a director of the Corporation and must not be an officer or employee of the Corporation. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman, if any, or in the Chairman’s absence by the Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence of each of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of these bylaws and the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairman shall have such powers and perform such duties that are commonly incident to the position of chairman of the board or as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors or provided in these bylaws.
Section 2.9. Removal; Resignation.
Directors of the Corporation may be removed in the manner specified by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Any director may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation at its principal executive office or to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event.
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Section 2.10. Emergency Bylaws.
In the event of any emergency, disaster, catastrophe or other similar emergency condition of a type described in Section 110(a) of the DGCL (an “Emergency”), notwithstanding any different or conflicting provisions in the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, during such Emergency:
(a) Notice. A meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director, the Chairman of the Board of the Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary by such means as, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, may be feasible at the time, and notice of any such meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee may be given, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, only to such directors as it may be feasible to reach at the time and by such means as may be feasible at the time. Such notice shall be given at such time in advance of the meeting as, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, circumstances permit.
(b) Quorum. The director or directors in attendance at a meeting called in accordance with Section 2.10(a) shall constitute a quorum.
(c) Liability. No officer, director or employee acting in accordance with this Section 2.10 shall be liable except for willful misconduct. No amendment, repeal or change to this Section 2.10 shall modify the prior sentence with regard to actions taken prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or change.
SECTION 3 - COMMITTEES
Section 3.1. Committees of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may designate committees of the Board of Directors, with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and shall, for those committees, appoint a director or directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. Such designations and appointments shall be determined by the vote of a majority of directors present at a meeting such matters are acted upon in accordance with Section 2.7; provided, however, that the chairperson of each committee shall be appointed, and may only be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office.
SECTION 4 - OFFICERS
Section 4.1. Generally.
The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President and Chief Executive Officer, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, a Chief Financial Officer and other officers as may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The compensation of officers appointed by the Board of Directors shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof or by the officers as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.
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Section 4.2. President.
Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Subject to the provisions of these bylaws and to the direction of the Board of Directors, the President shall have the responsibility for the general management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of chief executive or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. The President shall have the power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation that are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation.
Section 4.3. Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents.
Each Senior Vice President and Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President. One Senior Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.
Section 4.4. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.
The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall keep minutes of, all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall have charge of the corporate books and shall perform other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
Any Assistant Secretary shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.
Section 4.5. Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers.
The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. The President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
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Section 4.6. Delegation of Authority.
The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
Section 4.7. Removal; Resignation.
The Board of Directors may remove any officer of the Corporation at any time, with or without cause. Any officer may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation at its principal executive office or to the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event.
Section 4.8. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Companies.
Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President, or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the President, shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders or equityholders of, or with respect to any action of, stockholders or equityholders of any other entity in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other entity.
SECTION 5 - STOCK
Section 5.1. Certificates of Stock.
Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided in the DGCL. Stock certificates shall be signed in a manner that complies with Section 158 of the DGCL by or in the name of any two officers of the Corporation, each of whom is an authorized officer for this purpose.
Section 5.2. Transfers of Stock.
Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation (within or outside of the State of Delaware) or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation.
Section 5.3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.
In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in place of any previously issued certificate may be issued in its place pursuant to regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of the loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or indemnity.
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Section 5.4. Regulations.
The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.
Section 5.5. Record Date.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action (other than with respect to determining stockholders entitled to notice of and/or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, which is addressed in paragraph (a) of this Section 5.5), the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
SECTION 6 - INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
Section 6.1. Right to Indemnification and Advancement.
Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the
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Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, excise taxes, penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6.2 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6.1 shall be a contract right. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred herein, an indemnitee shall also have the right, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “advance of expenses”); provided, however, that if and to the extent that the DGCL requires, an advance of expenses incurred by an indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 6.1 or otherwise. The Corporation may also, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation.
Section 6.2. Procedure for Indemnification.
Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation or advance of expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs and charges) under this Section 6.2 shall be made promptly. If a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 6 is not paid in full within 60 days after the Corporation has received a written request for indemnity, or a claim for the advancement of expenses is not paid in full within 30 days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the indemnitee shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification or advancement of expense, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of expenses where the undertaking required pursuant to Section 6.1, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for
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the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The procedure for indemnification of other employees and agents for whom indemnification and advancement of expenses is provided pursuant to Section 6.1 shall be the same procedure set forth in this Section 6.2 for directors or officers, unless otherwise set forth in the action of the Board of Directors providing indemnification and advancement of expenses for such employee or agent.
Section 6.3. Insurance.
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 6.4. Service for Subsidiaries.
Any person serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, at least 50% of whose equity interests are owned by the Corporation (a “subsidiary” for this Section 6) shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Corporation.
Section 6.5. Reliance.
Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors or officers of the Corporation or who, while a director or officer of the Corporation, become or remain a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Section 6 in entering into or continuing such service.
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Section 6.6. Non-Exclusivity of Rights; Continuation of Rights to Indemnification.
The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Section 6 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under the Certificate of Incorporation or under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. All rights to indemnification under this Section 6 shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Section 6 is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 6 or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the DGCL or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect to any proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of such repeal or modification.
Section 6.7. Merger or Consolidation.
For purposes of this Section 6, references to the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Section 6 with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
Section 6.8. Savings Clause.
If this Section 6 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and advance expenses to each person entitled to indemnification under Section 6.1 as to all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person and for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is available to such person pursuant to this Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 6 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
SECTION 7 - NOTICES
Section 7.1. Notices.
Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to directors and stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally, electronically or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. If mailed, notice to a stockholder of the Corporation shall be deemed given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to a stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders of the Corporation may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL.
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Section 7.2. Waivers.
Whenever notice is required to be given by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether provided before, at or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in any such waiver. Attendance of a person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
SECTION 8 - MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1. Corporate Seal.
The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary of the Corporation. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer or the Chief Financial Officer.
Section 8.2. Reliance upon Books, Reports, and Records.
Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books and records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers, agents or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person or entity as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s or entity’s professional or expert competence and that has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 8.3. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.4. Time Periods.
In applying any provision of these bylaws that requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days before an event or that an act be done during a specified number of days before an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.
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SECTION 9 - AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL.
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