Aprea Therapeutics, Inc 8-K, filed May 17, 2022
Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (APRE)
About this 8-K
Aprea Therapeutics, Inc filed this 8-K on May 17, 2022, reporting on events of May 16, 2022.
Items reported
- Item 1.01: Entered into a material agreement
- Item 2.01: Completed an acquisition or sale of assets
- Item 3.01: Delisting notice or listing transfer
- Item 3.02: Unregistered sale of equity
- Item 5.02: Director or officer change, or executive pay
- Item 5.03: Charter or bylaw amendment, or fiscal year change
- Item 7.01: Regulation FD disclosure
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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| Item 1.01. | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Agreement and Plan of Merger
On May 16, 2022, Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Aprea”), acquired Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Atrin”), in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 16, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Aprea, ATR Merger Sub I Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Aprea (“First Merger Sub”), ATR Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Aprea (“Second Merger Sub”), and Atrin. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, First Merger Sub merged with and into Atrin, pursuant to which Atrin was the surviving corporation and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Aprea (the “First Merger”). Immediately following the First Merger, Atrin merged with and into Second Merger Sub, pursuant to which Second Merger Sub was the surviving entity (the “Second Merger”, together with the First Merger, the “Merger”). The Merger is intended to constitute an integrated transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger, Aprea issued to the securityholders of Atrin, 1,117,394 shares of the common stock of Aprea, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and 2,949,630 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (as described below), each share of which is convertible into 10 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain conditions described below.
Reference is made to the discussion of the Series A Preferred Stock in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.
Certain shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Merger are held by stockholders subject to lock-up restrictions, pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, except in limited circumstances, not to sell or transfer, or engage in swap or similar transactions with respect to, shares of the Common Stock, including, as applicable, shares received in the Merger and issuable upon exercise of certain options, for a period of 180 days following the closing of the Merger.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Aprea will hold its annual stockholders’ meeting (the “Stockholders’ Meeting”) to submit the following matters to its stockholders for their consideration: (i) the approval of the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a) (the “Conversion Proposal”), (ii) the approval of the reverse stock split of all outstanding shares of the Common Stock at a reverse stock split ratio to be determined by Aprea, (iii) the ratification of the appointment by the Aprea Board of Directors (the “Board”) of additional members to the Board and (iv) the approval of one or more adjournments of the Stockholders’ Meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes cast in favor of the foregoing matters (collectively, the “Meeting Proposals”). In connection with these matters, Aprea intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a proxy statement and other relevant materials.
The Board approved the Merger Agreement and the related transactions, and the consummation of the Merger (the “Closing”) was not subject to approval of the Aprea stockholders.
The foregoing description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Merger Agreement has been included to provide investors and security holders with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about Aprea or Atrin. The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that Aprea and Atrin made to each other as of specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made solely for purposes of the Merger Agreement between Aprea and Atrin and may be subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by Aprea and Atrin in connection with negotiating its terms, including being qualified by confidential disclosures exchanged between the parties in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement. Moreover, the representations and warranties may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality that may be different from what may be viewed as material to investors or security holders, or may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between Aprea and Atrin rather than establishing matters as facts. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in Aprea’s public disclosures. For the foregoing reasons, no person should rely on the representations and warranties as statements of factual information at the time they were made or otherwise.
Support Agreements
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Aprea and Atrin entered into stockholder support agreements (the “Support Agreements”) with Aprea’s directors and officers. The Support Agreements provide that, among other things, each of the stockholders has agreed to vote or cause to be voted all of the shares of Common Stock owned by such stockholder in favor of the Meeting Proposals at the Stockholders’ Meeting to be held in connection therewith.
The foregoing description of the Support Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the Support Agreement, which is provided as Exhibit F to the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Lock-up Agreements
Concurrently and in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain Atrin directors, officers and securityholders and the directors and officers of Aprea entered into lock-up agreements with Aprea and Atrin, pursuant to which each such stockholder will be subject to a 180 day lock-up on the sale or transfer of shares of Common Stock held by each such stockholder at Closing, including those shares received by Atrin securityholders in the Merger (the “Lock-up Agreements”).
The foregoing description of the Lock-up Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the Lock-up Agreement, which is provided as Exhibit B to the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Contingent Value Rights Agreement
The Merger Agreement contemplates that within 30 days following the Closing, Aprea and the Rights Agent (as defined therein) will execute and deliver a contingent value rights agreement (the “CVR Agreement”), pursuant to which each holder of Common Stock as of immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger will be entitled to one contractual contingent value right issued by Aprea, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the CVR Agreement, for each share of Common Stock held by such holder.
Each contingent value right will entitle the holder thereof to receive certain cash payments from the net proceeds, if any, related to the disposition of the tangible and intangible assets (including intellectual property) primarily used in or primarily related to the Company’s business of developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics that reactivate mutant p53 tumor suppressor protein, including but not limited to APR-246, or eprenetapopt, APR-548, and all associated analogs, including if further developed or commercialized after the occurrence of the Merger, in each case during the period beginning on the execution date of the Merger Agreement and ending upon the second anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Merger. The contingent value rights are not transferable, except in certain limited circumstances as will be provided in the CVR Agreement, will not be certificated or evidenced by any instrument and will not be registered with the SEC or listed for trading on any exchange.
The foregoing description of the CVR Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the CVR Agreement, which is provided as Exhibit E to the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the Merger Agreement, Aprea entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with certain Atrin directors, officers and security holders (the “Selling Security Holders”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Aprea will prepare and file a resale registration statement with the SEC within 90 calendar days following the date of the Merger Agreement or such later date agreed to by a majority of the Selling Security Holders (the “Filing Deadline”). Aprea will use its reasonable best efforts to cause this registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC within 30 calendar days of the Filing Deadline (or within 60 calendar days if the SEC reviews the registration statement).
Aprea has also agreed to, among other things, indemnify the Selling Security Holders, their officers, directors, agents, partners, members, managers, stockholders, any person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), investment advisers and employees of each of them, each person who controls any such Selling Security Holders (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, stockholders, agents, investment advisers and employees of each such controlling person under the registration statement from certain liabilities and pay all fees and expenses incident to Aprea’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.
The offering is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. The investors have acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends have been affixed to the securities issued in this transaction.
The foregoing summary of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Registration Rights Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
| Item 2.01 | Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets |
On May 16, 2022, Aprea completed its business combination with Atrin. The information contained in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.
| Item 3.01 | Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing. |
On May 16, 2022, Aprea notified Nasdaq that it is not in compliance with the audit committee composition requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A) due to one vacancy on the audit committee. Effective at the Second Effective Time, Michael A. Kelly, formerly an audit committee member, no longer serves on the board of directors. John B. Henneman and Bernd R. Seizinger continue to serve on the audit committee. The Company is evaluating the appropriate composition of its board committees and fully intends to regain compliance with Rule 5605(c)(2)(A) within the applicable cure period.
| Item 3.02 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities. |
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Aprea issued shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock. The information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02. Such issuances were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Resignation of Officers
On May 14, 2022, the Board approved the removal of Greg Korbel from his position as the Chief Business Officer, effective at the time of the filing of the Second Merger Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Second Effective Time”). After the Second Effective Time Mr. Korbel will serve as Aprea’s Chief Operating Officer, as more fully described below.
Effective as of the conclusion of the Stockholders’ Meeting, Christian S. Schade will resign as Chief Executive Officer.
Appointment of Officers
On May 14, 2022, the Board approved the following appointments, effective at the Second Effective Time: (i) the appointment of Oren Gilad, Ph.D. to the position of the President of Aprea and (ii) the appointment of Greg Korbel to the position of the Chief Operating Officer of Aprea (such appointments, collectively, the “Second Effective Time Officer Appointments”).
Effective as of the conclusion of the Stockholders’ Meeting, Dr. Gilad will be appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Aprea, to fill the vacancy created by Christian S. Schade’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer of Aprea (such appointment, collectively with the Second Effective Time Officer Appointments, the “Officer Appointments”).
Oren Gilad, Ph.D. (Age 54). Oren Gilad, Ph.D., has extensive leadership experience across all phases of drug development. Prior to joining Aprea, from 2011 to 2022, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Atrin. Prior to founding Atrin in 2011, Dr. Gilad had a 13-year academic career, where he authored numerous high impact scientific articles, including one that demonstrated the importance of the ATR pathway in cancer development and prevention. This breakthrough research was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gilad holds a B.Sc from the Hebrew University, a Ph.D. and post-doctorate from the University of California at Davis, and a post-doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Gilad has no family relationship with any of the executive officers or directors of Aprea. There are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Gilad and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer of Aprea.
Greg Korbel (Age 46). Prior to being appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Aprea, Dr. Korbel served as Aprea’s Chief Business Officer since April 2021, having previously served as Vice President, Business Development since July 2016. Dr. Korbel has more than 12 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Prior to joining Aprea, he was the Director of Business Development and Operations at Novira Therapeutics, which was acquired in December 2015 by Johnson & Johnson, and served as the Director of Research Operations subsequent to the acquisition. In addition to consulting for venture capital and biotechnology firms, Dr. Korbel formerly served as Senior Scientist at Invitrogen/Life Technologies. Dr. Korbel received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University and a B.A. from Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Korbel has no family relationship with any of the executive officers or directors of Aprea. There are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Korbel and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer of Aprea.
Resignation of Directors
In accordance with the Merger Agreement, on May 16, 2022, Fouad Namouni and Michael A. Kelly resigned from the Board as Class II and Class III directors, respectively, and any respective committee of the Board to which they were members, effective at the Second Effective Time. The resignations were not the result of any disagreements with Aprea relating to the Aprea’s operations, policies or practices. Effective immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, all unexpired, unexercised and unvested options to purchase Aprea’s shares held by the members of the Board accelerated in full and remain exercisable subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable option award agreement.
Appointment of Directors
In accordance with the Merger Agreement, the Board increased the number of directors from seven to eight, such that the number of Class I directors on the Board was increased from two to three. On May 16, 2022, effective as of the Second Effective Time, Michael Grissinger and Rif Pamukcu were appointed as Class II directors. Additionally, on May 16, 2022, effective as of the Second Effective Time, Dr. Gilad was appointed as a Class III director and Marc Duey was appointed as a Class I director (Mr. Grissinger’s, Dr. Pamukcu’s, Dr. Gilad’s and Mr. Duey’s appointments as directors, collectively the “Director Appointments”).
In accordance with the Merger Agreement, at or immediately after the conclusion of the Stockholders’ Meeting, the Board will increase the number of directors from eight to nine, with the additional ninth director to be appointed to the Board by the directors then serving on the Board immediately following the Stockholders’ Meeting.
Michael Grissinger (Age 68). Michael Grissinger brings decades of experience in business development, strategy, and pharmaceutical licensing leadership roles at global pharmaceutical companies. Since 2018, Mr. Grissinger has served on the board of directors of Akari Therapeutics, Plc (AKTX), a public company that develops treatments for autoinflammatory diseases involving the complement (C5) and leukotriene (LTB4) pathways. Since 2020, Mr. Grissinger has served as chair of the board of directors of Kira Biotech Pty Ltd, a private biotechnology company developing novel immunomodulatory compounds for the treatment of immune system disorders. Since 2018, he has served on the board of directors of Atriva Therapeutics PLC, a private biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of host-cell-targeting therapies against viral infections. Mr. Grissinger previously served on the board of Atrin. Mr. Grissinger served as a senior advisor to Cerberus Capital Management from 2018 to 2021. He retired from Johnson & Johnson in January 2018 after a 22-year career. During his tenure at Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Grissinger held positions of Vice President and Head, Worldwide Pharmaceutical Licensing as well as Vice President and Head of Worldwide Pharmaceutical Corporate Development and M&A.
Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Grissinger spent 20 years in the healthcare industry with Ciba-Geigy and SmithKline Beckman. Mr. Grissinger holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Juniata College and an MBA from Temple University- Fox School of Business.
Rif Pamukcu (Age 64). Rifat Pamukcu, M.D., has extensive experience in pharmaceuticals and drug development, with a particular focus on oncology. He was a co-founder, director and CSO of Cell Pathways, a publicly-traded pharmaceutical company (NASDAQ:CLPA) focused on cancer and cancer prevention that was acquired by OSI Pharmaceuticals in 2003). At Cell Pathways he directed the basic science, preclinical drug development, clinical research, regulatory programs, and various aspects of chemical scale-up and manufacturing, and raised over $140 million of investment capital. He is currently director, President and CEO of RXMP Therapeutics, Inc. since 2016, a private pharmaceutical company that is developing novel systemically delivered hemostatic agents that are designed to arrest or prevent excessive bleeding. Dr. Pamukcu has served as director, President and CEO of Midway Pharmaceuticals DBA MidwayBiome since 2005, a private pharmaceutical company that is developing nonantibiotic approaches to affect GI tract and microbiome interactions to aid in gastrointestinal and systemic disorders. He is a Managing Partner of Corami LLC since 2016, an early-stage therapeutics company developing drug-device combinations that deliver sustained release therapeutics directly to the external surface of the heart. Dr. Pamukcu serves on the Board of Directors of Syantra, Inc. since 2019 (a breast cancer diagnostics company), Sirpant Immunotherapeutics, Inc. since 2021 (a hematological malignancy immunotherapeutics company), and Virion Therapeutics LLC since 2018 (a hepatitis therapeutic vaccine company). He has been a member of the Advisory Council to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, the GI Oncology Task Force of the American Gastroenterological Association, Executive Steering Committee of the Gastroenterology Research Group and Scientific Advisory Board of the Hereditary Colon Cancer Association. Since 1985, Dr. Pamukcu has authored or co-authored over 110 journal articles, book chapters and abstracts in the fields of gastroenterology, cancer, cancer chemoprevention and signal transduction systems. He is an inventor on over 150 issued or pending patents in the areas of drug discovery and development of agents for cancer prevention and therapeutics, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis and the prevention and treatment of hemorrhage. Dr. Pamukcu holds a B.A. in Biology from the John Hopkins University and an M.D. from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Rush Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center and his Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Chicago. He was an Assistant Professor in the Division of Digestive Diseases at the University of Cincinnati prior to his joining Cell Pathways, Inc.
Marc Duey (Age 66). Marc Duey brings over three decades of experience in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries and brings a great deal of commercial business, and product launch experience. Since 2012, he has served as a Managing Partner at Duce Management, LLC, which focuses on biotech and digital health convergence via early-stage commitments to emerging firms with intellectual property and platform technology of eventual interest to specialty pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking potential therapies for cancer. Mr. Duey was the Founder, President, and CEO of ProMetrics, Inc., from 1993 to 2019, a leading sales and patient-level data aggregator and service provider to the specialty pharmaceutical industry for over two decades. ProMetrics is now the Patient Solutions Division of ConcertAI, a leading real-world data, and AI-based predictive analytics partner to the largest, most ambitious, and dynamic oncology firms. Mr. Duey founded ProMetrics to provide marketing and sales teams with strategic and tactical decision support.
Under his direction, the firm helped launch dozens of biopharma products, serviced over 150 clients, and managed thousands of projects. Seven client biotech firms have been acquired by seven large oncology companies, also clients, for a total transaction value of over $150 billion. Prior to founding ProMetrics, Mr. Duey was the founder and President of DuWest Research, an international management consulting firm, with offices on three continents, that specialized in serving the needs of diagnostic and biotechnology firms. Mr. Duey is a member of numerous trade and industry associations and sits on the Board of Directors of several technology companies. He is an adjunct professor at West Chester University in both the Business School and the Pharmaceutical Product Development program (PPD). He serves on the Board of Trustees of International House Philadelphia, and is a member of the Leadership Council of the Wistar Institute. He is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), the American Association of Pharmaceutical Science (AAPS), and the Licensing Executive Society (LES). Mr. Duey holds a B.S. and an M.S. degree in science from the University of Ottawa, and an M.B.A. from the Ivey Business School at Western University, London, Canada.
Indemnification Agreements
In connection Director Appointments and the Officer Appointments, each of the new directors and officers will enter into Aprea’s standard form of indemnification agreement, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Aprea’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-233662) filed with the SEC on October 2, 2019.
Compensation Arrangements with Oren Gilad and Aprea’s Named Executive Officer
In connection with Dr. Gilad’s appointment as President, Dr. Gilad entered into Aprea’s standard form of executive employment agreement. Dr. Gilad’s employment agreement provides for “at will” employment, a base salary of $500,000 per year, an annual target bonus opportunity equal to 50% of his base salary, and participation in Aprea’s long-term equity incentive program. Under the terms of Dr. Gilad’s employment agreement, in the event that he is terminated by Aprea without “cause” or he terminates his employment for “good reason,” he will be entitled to receive, upon execution and effectiveness of a release of claims, (i) continued payment of his then-current base salary for a period of 12 months following termination, (ii) an annual bonus for the year of termination equal to his target annual bonus opportunity and prorated based on the number of days in the calendar year that have elapsed prior to the date of termination, and (iii) a direct payment by us of the medical, vision and dental coverage premiums due to maintain any COBRA coverage for which he and his dependents are eligible and for which he has appropriately elected through the earlier of (x) 12 months following termination and (y) the date he becomes employed by another entity or individual. Upon a termination without “cause” or due to “good reason,” during the 12-month period following a “change of control,” Dr. Gilad is entitled to 18 months of continued base salary and reimbursement for COBRA coverage premiums rather than 12 months. Dr. Gilad is eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans generally available to other members of Aprea’s senior executive management, subject to the terms of those plans.
As noted above, effective as of the conclusion of the Stockholders’ Meeting, Mr. Schade will resign as Chief Executive Officer. To assist with the transition, Mr. Schade will remain with Aprea as Executive Chairman until the six month anniversary of the Closing at his same compensation levels as in effect prior to the closing. At the end of the six-month transition period, Mr. Schade will receive the following severance benefits under his employment agreement: (i) 12 months of continued base salary; (ii) payout of his annual bonus at his target percentage for the portion of the year during which he was employed, and (iii) payment of medical, vision and dental coverage premiums for up to 12 months of continuing COBRA coverage.
Aprea and Mr. Coiante entered into a retention letter that provides if Mr. Coiante is terminated by Aprea without “cause” or resigns with “good reason” within one year following the Merger, he will receive the following benefits under his employment agreement: (i) 12 months of continued base salary; (ii) payout of his annual bonus at his target percentage for the portion of the year during which he was employed; and (iii) payment of medical, vision and dental coverage premiums for up to 12 months of continuing COBRA coverage.
Dr. Attar will step down as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer three months after the Closing. At that time, Dr. Attar will receive the following severance benefits under his employment agreement: (i) nine months of continued base salary; (ii) payout of his annual bonus at his target percentage for the portion of the year during which he was employed; and (iii) payment of medical, vision and dental coverage premiums for up to nine months of continuing COBRA coverage.
In connection with the Merger, the vesting of the outstanding stock options and restricted stock units accelerated upon the Closing, with the stock options remaining exercisable until their normal expiration dates.
| Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On May 16, 2022, Aprea filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Designation”) in connection with the Merger referenced in Item 1.01 above. The Certificate of Designation provides for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, designated as Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”).
Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock equal (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis) to and in the same form, and in the same manner, as dividends (other than dividends on shares of the Common Stock payable in the form of Common Stock) actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends (other than dividends payable in the form of Common Stock) are paid on shares of the Common Stock.
Except as otherwise required by law, the Series A Preferred Stock will have no voting rights. However, as long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, Aprea will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock: (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series A Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Certificate of Designation, amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of Aprea, or file any articles of amendment, certificate of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of Preferred Stock, if such action would adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series A Preferred Stock, regardless of whether any of the foregoing actions will be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise, (ii) issue further shares of Series A Preferred Stock or increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the number of authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (iii) prior to the Stockholder Approval (as defined in the Certificate of Designation), consummate either: (A) any fundamental transaction or (B) any merger or consolidation of Aprea with or into another entity or any stock sale to, or other business combination in which the stockholders of Aprea immediately before such transaction do not hold at least a majority of the capital stock of Aprea immediately after such transaction or (iv) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Following stockholder approval of the Conversion Proposal, each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of Common Stock at any time at the option of the holder thereof, into 10 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain limitations, including that a holder of Series A Preferred Stock is prohibited from converting shares of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock if, as a result of such conversion, such holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own more than a specified percentage (to be established by the holder between 4.9% and 19.9%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion.
The foregoing description of the Series A Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Designation, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On May 16, 2022, Aprea made available a presentation to be used with investors discussing the Merger. A copy of the presentation is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the information in the presentation attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, is furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Furthermore, the information in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the information in the presentation attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in the filings of Aprea under the Securities Act, as amended.
Forward Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: uses of proceeds; projected cash runways; future product development plans; stockholder approval of the conversion rights of the Series A Preferred Stock; and any future payouts under the CVR. The use of words such as, but not limited to, “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would” and similar words expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, our clinical results and other future conditions. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the forecasts disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties including but not limited to those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Aprea’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in our subsequent filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Neither we, nor our affiliates, advisors or representatives, undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
Item 9.01 - Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit Number | Description | |
| 2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 16, 2022 by and among Aprea, ATR Merger Sub I Inc., ATR Merger Sub II LLC and Atrin(1) | |
| 3.1 | Certificate of Designation of Series A Non-Voting Series A Preferred Stock | |
| 10.1 | Form of Registration Rights Agreement, by and among Aprea and certain securityholders | |
| 99.1 | Presentation for investor conference call held by Aprea and Atrin on May 16, 2022 | |
| Exhibit 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
| (1) | Schedules have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Aprea agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the SEC upon its request; provided, however, that Aprea may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any schedule so furnished. |
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.
| Date: May 16, 2022 | APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Christian S. Schade | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||
Exhibit 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
among:
APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC.,
a Delaware corporation;
ATR MERGER SUB I INC.,
a Delaware corporation;
ATR MERGER SUB II LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company;
and
ATRIN PHARMACEUTICALS INC.,
a Delaware corporation
Dated as of May 16, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
| Section 1. | DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTION | 3 | |
| 1.1. | The Mergers | 3 | |
| 1.2. | Effects of the Mergers | 3 | |
| 1.3. | Closing; First Effective Time; Second Effective Time | 3 | |
| 1.4. | Certificate of Designation; Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws; Directors and Officers | 4 | |
| 1.5. | Merger Consideration; Effect of Merger on Company Capital Stock | 5 | |
| 1.6. | Conversion of Shares | 5 | |
| 1.7. | Closing of the Company’s Transfer Books | 7 | |
| 1.8. | Exchange of Shares | 7 | |
| 1.9. | Appraisal Rights | 9 | |
| 1.10. | Equity Awards | 10 | |
| 1.11. | Calculation of Net Cash | 11 | |
| 1.12. | Contingent Value Right | 12 | |
| 1.13. | Further Action | 12 | |
| 1.14. | Withholding | 12 | |
| Section 2. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | 13 | |
| 2.1. | Due Organization; Subsidiaries | 13 | |
| 2.2. | Organizational Documents | 13 | |
| 2.3. | Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement | 14 | |
| 2.4. | Vote Required | 14 | |
| 2.5. | Non-Contravention; Consents | 14 | |
| 2.6. | Capitalization | 15 | |
| 2.7. | Financial Statements | 17 | |
| 2.8. | Absence of Changes | 18 | |
| 2.9. | Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities | 20 | |
| 2.10. | Title to Assets | 20 | |
| 2.11. | Real Property; Leasehold | 21 | |
| 2.12. | Intellectual Property | 21 | |
| 2.13. | Agreements, Contracts and Commitments | 23 | |
| 2.14. | Compliance; Permits; Restrictions | 25 | |
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| 2.15. | Legal Proceedings; Orders | 28 | |
| 2.16. | Tax Matters | 29 | |
| 2.17. | Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans | 31 | |
| 2.18. | Environmental Matters | 34 | |
| 2.19. | Insurance | 35 | |
| 2.20. | No Financial Advisors | 35 | |
| 2.21. | Transactions with Affiliates | 35 | |
| 2.22. | Anti-Bribery | 36 | |
| 2.23. | Accredited Investors | 36 | |
| 2.24. | Disclaimer of Other Representations or Warranties | 36 | |
| Section 3. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUBS | 36 | |
| 3.1. | Due Organization; Subsidiaries | 37 | |
| 3.2. | Organizational Documents | 37 | |
| 3.3. | Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement | 38 | |
| 3.4. | Vote Required | 38 | |
| 3.5. | Non-Contravention; Consents | 39 | |
| 3.6. | Capitalization | 40 | |
| 3.7. | SEC Filings; Financial Statements | 41 | |
| 3.8. | Absence of Changes | 44 | |
| 3.9. | Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities | 46 | |
| 3.10. | Title to Assets | 46 | |
| 3.11. | Real Property; Leasehold | 46 | |
| 3.12. | Intellectual Property | 47 | |
| 3.13. | Agreements, Contracts and Commitments | 49 | |
| 3.14. | Compliance; Permits | 51 | |
| 3.15. | Legal Proceedings; Orders | 54 | |
| 3.16. | Tax Matters | 55 | |
| 3.17. | Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans | 57 | |
| 3.18. | Environmental Matters | 61 | |
| 3.19. | Transactions with Affiliates | 61 | |
| 3.20. | Insurance | 61 | |
| 3.21. | No Financial Advisors | 62 | |
| 3.22. | Anti-Bribery | 62 | |
| 3.23. | Valid Issuance | 62 | |
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| 3.24. | Disclaimer of Other Representations or Warranties | 62 | |
| Section 4. | ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES | 62 | |
| 4.1. | Stockholder Notice | 62 | |
| 4.2. | Parent Stockholders’ Meeting | 63 | |
| 4.3. | Reservation of Parent Common Stock; Issuance of Shares of Parent Common Stock | 64 | |
| 4.4. | Employee Benefits | 64 | |
| 4.5. | Indemnification of Officers and Directors | 65 | |
| 4.6. | Additional Agreements | 67 | |
| 4.7. | Proxy Statement | 67 | |
| 4.8. | Listing | 68 | |
| 4.9. | Tax Matters | 68 | |
| 4.10. | Legends | 68 | |
| 4.11. | Directors and Officers | 69 | |
| 4.12. | Section 16 Matters | 69 | |
| 4.13. | Cooperation | 70 | |
| 4.14. | Closing Certificates | 70 | |
| 4.15. | Takeover Statutes | 70 | |
| 4.16. | Parent Options | 70 | |
| 4.17. | Obligations of Merger Subs | 70 | |
| 4.18. | Private Placement | 71 | |
| Section 5. | CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY | 71 | |
| 5.1. | No Restraints | 71 | |
| 5.2. | Listing | 71 | |
| 5.3. | Certificate of Designation | 71 | |
| Section 6. | CLOSING DELIVERIES OF THE COMPANY | 71 | |
| 6.1. | Documents | 71 | |
| 6.2. | FIRPTA Certificate | 72 | |
| 6.3. | Company Lock-Up Agreements | 72 | |
| Section 7. | CLOSING DELIVERIES OF PARENT | 72 | |
| 7.1. | Documents | 72 | |
| 7.2. | Parent Lock-Up Agreements | 73 | |
| 7.3. | Employment Agreements | 73 | |
| Section 8. | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | 73 | |
| 8.1. | Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties | 73 | |
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| 8.2. | Amendment | 73 | |
| 8.3. | Waiver | 73 | |
| 8.4. | Entire Agreement; Counterparts; Exchanges by Electronic Transmission | 73 | |
| 8.5. | Applicable Law; Jurisdiction | 74 | |
| 8.6. | Attorneys’ Fees | 74 | |
| 8.7. | Assignability | 74 | |
| 8.8. | Notices | 74 | |
| 8.9. | Cooperation | 75 | |
| 8.10. | Severability | 75 | |
| 8.11. | Other Remedies; Specific Performance | 76 | |
| 8.12. | No Third-Party Beneficiaries | 76 | |
| 8.13. | Construction | 76 | |
| 8.14. | Expenses | 77 |
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| Exhibits: | |
| Exhibit A | Definitions |
| Exhibit B | Form of Lock-Up Agreement |
| Exhibit C | Form of Certificate of Designation |
| Exhibit D | Post-Closing Directors and Officers |
| Exhibit E | Form of CVR Agreement |
| Exhibit F | Form of Parent Support Agreement |
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made and entered into as of May 16, 2022, by and among Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), ATR Merger Sub I Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (“First Merger Sub”), ATR Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (“Second Merger Sub” and together with First Merger Sub, “Merger Subs”), and Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Exhibit A.
RECITALS
A. Parent and the Company intend to effect a merger of First Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “First Merger”) in accordance with this Agreement and the DGCL. Upon consummation of the First Merger, First Merger Sub will cease to exist and the Company will become a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent.
B. Immediately following the First Merger and as part of the same overall integrated plan as the First Merger, the Company will merge with and into Second Merger Sub (the “Second Merger” and, together with the First Merger, the “Merger”), with Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity of the Second Merger;
C. The Parties intend that the First Merger and the Second Merger, taken together, will constitute an integrated transaction described in Rev. Rul. 2001-46, 2001-2 C.B. 321 that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and by executing this Agreement, the Parties intend to adopt this Agreement as a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3.
D. The Parent Board has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, including the issuance of the Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and the Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholders of the Parent vote to approve the Parent Stockholder Matters at the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting to be convened following the Closing.
E. The First Merger Sub Board has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable, and in the best interests of First Merger Sub and its sole stockholder, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholder of First Merger Sub votes to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions.
F. Parent, in its capacity as the sole member of Second Merger Sub, has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable, and in the best interests of Second Merger Sub and its sole member, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the member of Second Merger Sub votes to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions.
G. The Company Board has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) recommended, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholders of the Company vote to approve the Company Stockholder Matters (the “Board Approval”).
H. Subsequent to the Board Approval, but prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the requisite Company stockholders by written consent and in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the Company’s bylaws and the DGCL (i) approved and adopted this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) acknowledged that the approval given thereby is irrevocable and that such stockholder is aware of its rights to demand appraisal for its shares pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL, a true and correct copy of which was attached thereto, and that such stockholder has received and read a copy of Section 262 of the DGCL, and (iii) acknowledged that by its approval of the Merger it is not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to its shares in connection with the Merger and thereby waives any rights to receive payment of the fair value of its capital stock under the DGCL (such matters, the “Company Stockholder Matters” and the consent, the “Stockholder Written Consent”), and the Stockholder Written Consent is to become effective by its terms immediately following the execution of this Agreement by the Parties.
I. Immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will transmit to each Company stockholder who did not execute a Stockholder Written Consent any notices required under Section 228(e) and Section 262 of the DGCL.
J. Immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, but prior to the filing of the Certificate of Merger, Parent will file the Certificate of Designation with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
K. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and as a condition and inducement to each of Parent and the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, all of the directors and officers of Parent, solely in their capacity as stockholders of Parent (the “Parent Signatories”), and all of the directors, all of the officers and the stockholders of the Company listed in Section A of the Company Disclosure Schedule (solely in their capacity as stockholders of the Company) (the “Company Signatories”) are executing lock-up agreements in substantially the form attached as Exhibit B (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”).
M. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and as a condition and inducement to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, all of the directors and all of the officers of Parent (solely in their capacity as stockholders of Parent), are executing support agreements in favor of the Company in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the “Parent Stockholder Support Agreement”), pursuant to which such Persons have, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, agreed to vote all of their shares of capital stock of Parent in favor of the Parent Stockholder Matters.
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AGREEMENT
The Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
Section 1. DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTION
1.1. The Mergers. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the First Effective Time, First Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, and the separate existence of First Merger Sub shall cease. As a result of the First Merger, the Company will continue as the surviving corporation in the First Merger (the “First Step Surviving Corporation”). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Second Effective Time, the First Step Surviving Corporation will merge with and into Second Merger Sub, and the separate existence of the First Step Surviving Corporation shall cease. As a result of the Second Merger, Second Merger Sub will continue as the surviving entity in the Second Merger (the “Surviving Entity”).
1.2. Effects of the Mergers. At and after the First Effective Time, the First Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement, the First Certificate of Merger and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. As a result of the First Merger, the First Step Surviving Corporation will become a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent. At and after the Second Effective Time, the Second Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement, the Second Certificate of Merger and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL and the DLLCA.
1.3. Closing; First Effective Time; Second Effective Time. The consummation of the Merger (the “Closing”) is being consummated remotely via the electronic exchange of documents and signatures on the Closing Date, or at such other time, date and place as Parent and the Company may mutually agree in writing. The date on which the Closing actually takes place is referred to as the “Closing Date.” At the Closing, (i) the Parties shall cause the First Merger to be consummated by executing and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of merger with respect to the First Merger, satisfying the applicable requirements of the DGCL and in form and substance to be agreed upon by the Parties (the “First Certificate of Merger”) and (ii) the Parties shall cause the Second Merger to be consummated by executing and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of merger with respect to the Second Merger, satisfying the applicable requirements of the DGCL and the DLLCA and in form and substance to be agreed upon by the Parties (the “Second Certificate of Merger”). The First Merger shall become effective at the time of the filing of such First Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be specified in such First Certificate of Merger with the consent of Parent and the Company (the time as of which the First Merger becomes effective being referred to as the “First Effective Time”). The Second Merger shall become effective at the time of the filing of such Second Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be specified in such Second Certificate of Merger with the consent of Parent and the Company (the time as of which the Second Merger becomes effective being referred to as the “Second Effective Time”).
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1.4. Certificate of Designation; Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws; Directors and Officers.
(a) Prior to the First Effective Time, Parent will file the Certificate of Designation with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(b) At the First Effective Time:
(i) the certificate of incorporation of the First Step Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated as set forth in an exhibit to the First Certificate of Merger, until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL and such certificate of incorporation;
(ii) the bylaws of the First Step Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated in their entirety to read identically to the bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the First Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL and such bylaws;
(iii) the certificate of incorporation of Parent shall be identical to the certificate of incorporation of Parent immediately prior to the First Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL and such certificate of incorporation;
(iv) the directors and officers of Parent, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent, shall be as set forth in Section 4.11; and
(v) the directors and officers of the First Step Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the First Step Surviving Corporation, shall be such Persons as shall be mutually agreed upon by Parent and the Company.
(c) At the Second Effective Time:
(i) the certificate of formation of the Surviving Entity shall be the certificate of formation of Second Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Second Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DLLCA and such certificate of formation; provided, however, that at the Second Effective Time (as part of the Second Certificate of Merger), the certificate of formation shall be amended to (A) change the name of the Surviving Entity to “ATR Pharmaceuticals LLC” and (B) make such other changes as are mutually agreed to by Parent and the Company;
(ii) the certificate of incorporation of Parent shall be identical to the certificate of incorporation of Parent immediately prior to the Second Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL and such certificate of incorporation;
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(iii) the limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Entity shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read identically to the limited liability company agreement of Second Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Second Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DLLCA and such limited liability company agreement; provided, however, that following the Second Effective Time (but as soon thereafter as practicable), the limited liability company agreement shall be amended to (A) comply with Section 4.5 and (B) change the name of the Surviving Entity to “ATR Pharmaceuticals LLC”; and
(iv) the managers and officers of the Surviving Entity, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Entity, shall be such Persons as shall be mutually agreed upon by Parent and the Company.
1.5. Merger Consideration; Effect of Merger on Company Capital Stock. The aggregate merger consideration (the “Merger Consideration”) to be paid by Parent for all of the outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock at the Closing and amounts reserved for Company Options shall be (a) 4,392,662 shares of Parent Common Stock (“Parent Common Stock Payment Shares”), which shares shall represent a number of shares equal to no more than 19.99% of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock as of immediately before the First Effective Time (the “Parent Common Stock Consideration Cap”), and (b) in the event the aggregate number of shares of Parent Common Stock Payment Shares issued to any Company stockholder at Closing would result in the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock in an amount in excess of the Parent Common Stock Consideration Cap, Parent shall issue to such Company stockholders shares of Parent Common Stock up to the Parent Common Stock Consideration Cap and shall issue as the remaining balance to such stockholders a total of 2,949,717 shares of Parent Convertible Preferred Stock (“Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares”). Each Parent Preferred Stock Payment Share shall be convertible into 10 shares of Parent Common Stock, subject to and contingent upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Parent Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders of Parent to approve, for purposes of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules, the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock to the stockholders of the Company upon conversion of any and all shares of Parent Convertible Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designation in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Preferred Stock Conversion Proposal”). Subject to Section 1.6(c), each holder of Company Capital Stock shall be entitled to receive the same proportion of Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares.
1.6. Conversion of Shares.
(a) At the First Effective Time, by virtue of the First Merger and without any further action on the part of Parent, Merger Subs, the Company or any stockholder of the Company or Parent:
(i) any shares of Company Common Stock held as treasury stock or held or owned by the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor; and
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(ii) subject to Section 1.5 and Section 1.6(b), each share of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time (excluding shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.6(a)(i) and excluding Dissenting Shares) shall be automatically converted solely into the right to receive an aggregate number of Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares equal to the Exchange Ratio, allocated in accordance with Section 1.5 and as set forth on the Allocation Certificate.
(b) If any shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time are subject to a repurchase option under any applicable restricted stock purchase agreement or other similar agreement with the Company, as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time, such shares of Company Capital Stock shall no longer be subject to any right of repurchase or other such conditions and shall be converted into Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares in accordance with Section 1.6(a)(ii).
(c) No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock shall be issued in connection with the First Merger, and no certificates or scrip for any such fractional shares shall be issued. Any holder of Company Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of Parent Common Stock issuable to such holder) or a fraction of a share of Parent Convertible Preferred Stock (after aggregating all fractional shares of Parent Convertible Preferred Stock issuable to such holder) shall, in lieu of such fraction of a share and upon surrender by such holder of a letter of transmittal in accordance with Section 1.8 and any accompanying documents as required therein, be paid in cash the dollar amount (rounded to the nearest whole cent), without interest, determined by multiplying such fraction by (i) the Parent Closing Price, in respect of shares of Parent Common Stock or (ii) (A) the Parent Closing Price multiplied by (B) 10, in respect of shares of Parent Convertible Preferred Stock.
(d) At the First Effective Time, by virtue of the First Merger and without any further action on the part of Parent, Merger Subs, the Company or any stockholder of the Company or stockholder of Parent, each share of common stock of First Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one share of common stock of the First Step Surviving Corporation. If applicable, each stock certificate of First Merger Sub evidencing ownership of any such shares shall, as of the First Effective Time, evidence ownership of such shares of common stock of the First Step Surviving Corporation.
(e) If, between the date of this Agreement and the First Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock or Parent Common Stock or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock shall have been changed into, or exchanged for, a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares or other like change, the Exchange Ratio shall, to the extent necessary, be equitably adjusted to reflect such change to the extent necessary to provide the holders of Company Common Stock and Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock, with the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares or other like change; provided, however, that nothing herein will be construed to permit the Company or Parent to take any action with respect to Company Common Stock or Parent Common Stock or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock, respectively, that is prohibited or not expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
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(f) At the Second Effective Time, by virtue of the Second Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, the First Step Surviving Corporation, Second Merger Sub or their respective stockholders or members, as applicable, each share of the First Step Surviving Corporation issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Second Effective Time shall be canceled and extinguished without any conversion thereof and no payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto.
1.7. Closing of the Company’s Transfer Books. At the First Effective Time: (a) all holders of (i) certificates representing shares of Company Capital Stock and (ii) book-entry shares representing shares of Company Capital Stock (“Book-Entry Shares”), in each case, that were outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall cease to have any rights as stockholders of the Company; and (b) the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed with respect to all shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time. No further transfer of any such shares of Company Capital Stock shall be made on such stock transfer books after the First Effective Time. If, after the First Effective Time, a valid certificate previously representing any shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time (a “Company Stock Certificate”) is presented to the Exchange Agent or to the Surviving Entity, such Company Stock Certificate shall be canceled and shall be exchanged as provided in Sections 1.6 and 1.8.
1.8. Exchange of Shares.
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, Parent and the Company shall agree upon and select a reputable bank, transfer agent or trust company to act as exchange agent in the Merger (the “Exchange Agent”). At the First Effective Time, Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent: (i) certificates or evidence of book-entry shares representing the Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock issuable pursuant to Section 1.6(a) and (ii) cash sufficient to make payments in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 1.6(b). The Parent Common Stock, Parent Convertible Preferred Stock and cash amounts so deposited with the Exchange Agent, together with any dividends or distributions received by the Exchange Agent with respect to such shares, are referred to collectively as the “Exchange Fund.”
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(b) Promptly after the First Effective Time, the Parties shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to the Persons who were record holders of shares of Company Capital Stock that were converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration: (i) a letter of transmittal in customary form and containing such provisions as Parent may reasonably specify (including a provision confirming that delivery of Company Stock Certificates or transfer of Book-Entry Shares to the Exchange Agent shall be effected, and risk of loss and title thereto shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such Company Stock Certificates or transfer of the Book-Entry Shares to the Exchange Agent); and (ii) instructions for effecting the surrender of Company Stock Certificates or transfer of Book-Entry Shares in exchange for shares of Parent Common Stock. Upon surrender of a Company Stock Certificate or transfer of Book-Entry Share to the Exchange Agent for exchange, together with a duly executed letter of transmittal and such other documents as may be reasonably required by the Exchange Agent or Parent: (A) the holder of such Company Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor book-entry shares representing the Merger Consideration (in a number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock) that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.6(a) (and cash in lieu of any fractional share of Parent Common Stock or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.6(b)); and (B) the Company Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share so surrendered or transferred, as the case may be, shall be canceled. Until surrendered or transferred as contemplated by this Section 1.8(b), each Company Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall be deemed, from and after the First Effective Time, to represent only the right to receive book-entry shares of Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock representing the Merger Consideration (and cash in lieu of any fractional share of Parent Common Stock or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock). If any Company Stock Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, Parent may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the delivery of any shares of Parent Common Stock, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Stock Certificate to provide an applicable affidavit with respect to such Company Stock Certificate that includes an obligation of such owner to indemnify Parent against any claim suffered by Parent related to the lost, stolen or destroyed Company Stock Certificate as Parent may reasonably request. In the event of a transfer of ownership of a Company Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share that is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, payment of the Merger Consideration in respect of such Company Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share may be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name such Company Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Share so surrendered or transferred is registered if such Company Stock Certificate shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer or such Book-Entry Share shall be properly transferred and the Person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the transfer or establish to the reasonable satisfaction of Parent that such Taxes have been paid or are not applicable. The Merger Consideration and any dividends or other distributions as are payable pursuant to Section 1.8(c) shall be deemed to have been in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to Company Capital Stock formerly represented by such Company Stock Certificates or Book-Entry Shares.
(c) No dividends or other distributions declared or made with respect to Parent Common Stock or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock with a record date on or after the First Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Company Stock Certificate or Book-Entry Shares with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock and/or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock that such holder has the right to receive in the Merger until such holder surrenders such Company Stock Certificate or transfers such Book-Entry Shares or provides an affidavit of loss or destruction in lieu thereof in accordance with this Section 1.8 (at which time (or, if later, on the applicable payment date) such holder shall be entitled, subject to the effect of applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws, to receive all such dividends and distributions, without interest).
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(d) Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains unclaimed by holders of shares of Company Capital Stock as of the date that is one year after the Closing Date shall be delivered to Parent upon demand, and any holders of Company Stock Certificates or Book-Entry Shares who have not theretofore surrendered their Company Stock Certificates or transferred their Book-Entry Shares in accordance with this Section 1.8 shall thereafter look only to Parent for satisfaction of their claims for Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock and any dividends or distributions with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock.
(e) No Party shall be liable to any holder of any shares of Company Capital Stock or to any other Person with respect to any shares of Parent Common Stock or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or for any cash amounts delivered to any public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property Law, escheat Law or similar Law.
1.9. Appraisal Rights.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Capital Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time and which are held by stockholders who have exercised and perfected appraisal rights for such shares of Company Capital Stock in accordance with the DGCL (collectively, the “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration described in Section 1.5 attributable to such Dissenting Shares. Such stockholders shall be entitled to receive payment of the appraised value of such shares of Company Capital Stock held by them in accordance with the DGCL, unless and until such stockholders fail to perfect or effectively withdraw or otherwise lose their appraisal rights under the DGCL. All Dissenting Shares held by stockholders who shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost their right to appraisal of such shares of Company Capital Stock under the DGCL (whether occurring before, at or after the First Effective Time) shall thereupon be deemed to be converted into and to have become exchangeable for, as of the First Effective Time, the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, attributable to such Dissenting Shares upon their surrender in the manner provided in Sections 1.6 and 1.8.
(b) The Company shall give Parent prompt written notice of any demands by dissenting stockholders received by the Company, withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served on the Company and any material correspondence received by the Company in connection with such demands, and the Company shall have the right to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands; provided that the Parent shall have the right to participate in such negotiations and proceedings. Neither the Parent nor the Company shall, except with the other Party’s prior written consent, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demands, or approve any withdrawal of any such demands or agree to do any of the foregoing.
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1.10. Equity Awards.
(a) Company Equity Awards.
(i) At the First Effective Time, each Company Option that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the First Effective Time under the Company Plan, whether or not vested, shall be converted into and become an option to purchase Parent Common Stock, and Parent shall assume the Company Plan and each such Company Option in accordance with the terms (as in effect as of the date of this Agreement) of the Company Plan and the terms of the stock option agreement by which such Company Option is evidenced (but with changes to such documents as Parent in good faith determines are necessary to reflect the substitution of the Company Options by Parent to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock). All rights with respect to Company Common Stock under Company Options assumed by Parent shall thereupon be converted into rights with respect to Parent Common Stock. Accordingly, from and after the First Effective Time: (i) each Company Option assumed by Parent may be exercised solely for shares of Parent Common Stock; (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to each Company Option assumed by Parent shall be determined by multiplying (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock that were subject to such Company Option, as in effect immediately prior to the First Effective Time, by (B) the Exchange Ratio, and rounding the resulting number down to the nearest whole number of shares of Parent Common Stock; (iii) the per share exercise price for the Parent Common Stock issuable upon exercise of each Company Option assumed by Parent shall be determined by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option, as in effect immediately prior to the First Effective Time, by (B) the Exchange Ratio and rounding the resulting exercise price up to the nearest whole cent; and (iv) any restriction on the exercise of any Company Option assumed by Parent shall continue in full force and effect and the term, exercisability, vesting schedule and other provisions of such Company Option shall otherwise remain unchanged; provided, that, (I) in the case of any Company Option to which Section 421 of the Code applies as of the First Effective Time by reason of its qualification under Section 422 of the Code, the exercise price, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code; and (II) the exercise price, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to, and the terms and conditions of exercise of each option to purchase Parent Common Stock shall also be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; provided, further, that: (x) Parent may amend the terms of the Company Options and the Company Plan as may be necessary to reflect Parent’s substitution of the Company Options with options to purchase Parent Common Stock (such as by making any change in control or similar definition relate to Parent and having any provision that provides for the adjustment of Company Options upon the occurrence of certain corporate events relate to corporate events that relate to Parent and/or Parent Common Stock); and (y) the Parent Board or a committee thereof shall succeed to the authority and responsibility of the Company Board or any committee thereof with respect to each Company Option assumed by Parent.
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(ii) If the Parent so elects, Parent may, in its sole discretion, assume the Company Plan; provided, however, that if the Parent does not elect to assume such Company Plan, the Company Options contemplated under Section 1.10(a)(i) shall be granted under the Parent Stock Plan. To the extent that Parent does not elect to assume the Company Plan, in response to written notice from Parent delivered not less than 10 Business Days prior to the First Effective Time, at or prior to the First Effective Time, the Company and the Company Board shall adopt any resolutions and take all steps necessary to (i) cause such Company Plan to terminate at or prior to the First Effective Time and (ii) ensure that from and after the First Effective Time neither Parent, the Company nor any of their successors or Affiliates will be required to deliver Company Common Stock or other capital stock of the Company to any Person pursuant to or in settlement of equity awards granted under the Company Plan pursuant thereto.
(iii) Parent shall file with the SEC, promptly after the First Effective Time, a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form), if available for use by Parent, relating to the shares of Parent Common Stock issuable with respect to Company Options assumed by Parent in accordance with Section 1.10.
(b) Parent Equity Awards. At the First Effective Time, each Parent Option and Parent RSU that was outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall (i) be fully vested, (ii) in the case of Parent Options, shall continue to represent a Parent Option and shall remain exercisable until the expiration date of such Parent Option; and (iii) in the case of Parent RSUs, shall be settled following the First Effective Time (but in no event later than December 31, 2022) or such later date to the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
1.11. Calculation of Net Cash.
(a) No later than the Closing Date, Parent will deliver to the Company a schedule (the “Parent Net Cash Schedule”) setting forth, in reasonable detail, Parent’s good faith, estimated calculation of Parent Net Cash (the “Parent Net Cash Calculation”) as of 11:59 p.m. on the last Business Day prior to the Closing Date (the “Cash Determination Time”) prepared and certified by Parent’s chief financial officer (or if there is no chief financial officer at such time, the principal financial and accounting officer for Parent). Parent shall make available to the Company (electronically to the greatest extent possible), as reasonably requested by the Company, the work papers and backup materials used or useful in preparing the Parent Net Cash Schedule and, if reasonably requested by the Company, Parent’s accountants and counsel at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice. The Parent Net Cash Calculation shall include Parent’s determination, as of the Cash Determination Time, of the defined terms herein necessary to calculate the Company Merger Shares.
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(b) No later than the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to Parent a schedule (the “Company Net Cash Schedule”) setting forth, in reasonable detail, the Company’s good faith, estimated calculation of Company Net Cash (the “Company Net Cash Calculation”) as of the Cash Determination Time prepared and certified by the Company’s chief financial officer (or if there is no chief financial officer at such time, the principal financial and accounting officer for the Company). The Company shall make available to Parent (electronically to the greatest extent possible), as reasonably requested by Parent, the work papers and backup materials used or useful in preparing the Company Net Cash Schedule and, if reasonably requested by Parent, the Company’s accountants and counsel at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice. The Company Net Cash Calculation shall include the Company’s determination, as of the Cash Determination Time, of the defined terms herein necessary to calculate the Company Merger Shares.
1.12. Contingent Value Right.
(a) Holders of Parent Common Stock of record as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall be entitled to one contractual contingent value right (a “CVR”) issued by Parent subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the CVR Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit E (the “CVR Agreement”), for each share of Parent Common Stock held by such holders (less applicable withholding Taxes).
(b) Within thirty (30) days of the First Effective Time, Parent shall authorize and duly adopt, execute and deliver, and will ensure that Exchange Agent executes and delivers, the CVR Agreement, subject to any reasonable revisions to the CVR Agreement that are requested by such Exchange Agent (provided that such revisions are not, individually or in the aggregate, detrimental or adverse, taken as a whole, to any holder of CVR). Parent and the Company shall cooperate, including by making changes to the form of CVR Agreement, as necessary to ensure that the CVRs are not subject to registration under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws.
(c) Parent and the Exchange Agent shall, within thirty (30) days of the First Effective Time, duly authorize, execute and deliver the CVR Agreement.
1.13. Further Action. If, at any time after the First Effective Time, any further action is determined by the Surviving Entity to be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving Entity with full right, title and possession of and to all rights and property of the Company, then the officers and directors of the Surviving Entity shall be fully authorized, and shall use their and its reasonable best efforts (in the name of the Company, in the name of Merger Subs, in the name of the Surviving Entity and otherwise) to take such action.
1.14. Withholding. The Parties and the Exchange Agent (each, a “Withholding Agent”) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement (including the CVR Agreement) to any holder of Company Capital Stock or any other Person such amounts as such Party or the Exchange Agent is required to deduct and withhold under the Code or any other Law with respect to the making of such payment; provided that if a Withholding Agent determines that any payment to any stockholder of the Company hereunder is subject to deduction and/or withholding, then, except with respect to compensatory payments made to employees of the Company or deductions or withholdings as a result of a failure of the Company to deliver the certificates described in Section 6.2, such Withholding Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) provide notice to such stockholder as soon as reasonably practicable after such determination and (ii) cooperate with such stockholder to reduce or eliminate any such deduction and/or withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Body, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made.
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Section 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Subject to Section 8.13(h), except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent (the “Company Disclosure Schedule”), the Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Subs as follows:
2.1. Due Organization; Subsidiaries.
(a) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Delaware and has all necessary corporate power and authority: (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted; (ii) to own or lease and use its property and assets in the manner in which its property and assets are currently owned or leased and used; and (iii) to perform its obligations under all Contracts by which it is bound.
(b) The Company is duly licensed and qualified to do business, and is in good standing (to the extent applicable in such jurisdiction), under the Laws of all jurisdictions where the nature of its business requires such licensing or qualification other than in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified individually or in the aggregate would not be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The Company has no Subsidiaries and does not own any capital stock of, or any equity, ownership or profit sharing interest of any nature in, or control directly or indirectly, any other Entity.
(d) The Company is not and has not been, directly or indirectly, a party to, member of or participant in any partnership, joint venture or similar business entity. The Company has not agreed and is not obligated to make, and is not bound by any Contract under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other Entity. The Company has not, at any time, been a general partner of, or has otherwise been liable for any of the debts or other obligations of, any general partnership, limited partnership or other Entity.
2.2. Organizational Documents. The Company has made available to Parent accurate and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of the Company in effect as of the date of this Agreement. The Company is not in breach or violation of its respective Organizational Documents.
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2.3. Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement.
(a) The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and, subject to receipt of the Required Company Stockholder Vote, to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. The Company Board (at meetings duly called and held or by unanimous written consent) has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (ii) authorized, approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholders of the Company vote in favor of the Company Stockholder Matters.
(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Subs, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
2.4. Vote Required. The affirmative vote (or written consent) of the holders of a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock outstanding on the record date for the Stockholder Written Consent (the “Required Company Stockholder Vote”), is the only vote (or written consent) of the holders of any class or series of Company Capital Stock necessary to adopt and approve this Agreement and approve the Contemplated Transactions. The Stockholder Written Consent became effective upon the execution of this Agreement by the Parties hereto and provided the Required Company Stockholder Vote. No other corporate proceedings by the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.
2.5. Non-Contravention; Consents. Subject to obtaining the required Company Stockholder Vote, the filing of the Certificate of Merger required by the DGCL, and the filing of the Certificate of Designation, neither (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company, nor (y) the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, will directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time):
(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the provisions of the Company’s Organizational Documents;
(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Law or any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which the Company, or any of the assets owned or used by the Company, is subject, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company or its business;
(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by the Company, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company or its business;
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(d) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or result in a default under, any provision of any Company Material Contract, or give any Person the right to: (i) declare a default or exercise any remedy under any Company Material Contract; (ii) any material payment, rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule under any Company Material Contract; (iii) accelerate the maturity or performance of any Company Material Contract; or (iv) cancel, terminate or modify any term of any Company Material Contract, except in the case of any non-material breach, default, penalty or modification; or
(e) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to any asset owned or used by the Company (except for Permitted Encumbrances).
Except for (i) any Consent set forth in Section 2.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedule under any Company Contract, (ii) the Required Company Stockholder Vote, (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL, (iv) the filing of the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL and (v) such consents, waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable federal and state securities Laws, the Company is not or will not be required to make any filing with or give any notice to, or to obtain any Consent from, any Person in connection with (A) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or (B) the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. The Company Board has taken and will take all actions necessary to ensure that the restrictions applicable to business combinations contained in Section 203 of the DGCL are, and will be, inapplicable to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements and to the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. No other state takeover statute or similar Law applies or purports to apply to the Merger, this Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements or any of the Contemplated Transactions.
2.6. Capitalization.
(a) The authorized Company Capital Stock as of the date of this Agreement consists of 15,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of which 11,969,600 shares have been issued and are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. The Company does not hold any shares of its capital stock in its treasury. Section 2.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists, as of the date of this Agreement, each record holder of issued and outstanding Company Capital Stock and the number and type of shares of Company Capital Stock held by such holder.
(b) All of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in the Investor Agreements, none of the outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock is entitled or subject to any preemptive right, right of participation, right of maintenance or any similar right and none of the outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock is subject to any right of first refusal in favor of the Company. Except as contemplated herein or as set forth in the Investor Agreements, there is no Company Contract relating to the voting or registration of, or restricting any Person from purchasing, selling, pledging or otherwise disposing of (or granting any option or similar right with respect to), any shares of Company Capital Stock. The Company is not under any obligation, nor is it bound by any Contract pursuant to which it may become obligated, to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock or other securities. Section 2.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule accurately and completely lists all repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to shares of Company Capital Stock (including shares issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options) and specifies which of those repurchase rights are currently exercisable and whether the holder of such shares of Company Capital Stock timely filed an election with the relevant Governmental Bodies under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to such shares.
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(c) Except for the Company’s 2016 Amended and Restated Equity Compensation Plan (the “Company Plan”), the Company does not have any stock option plan or any other plan, program, agreement or arrangement providing for any equity-based compensation for any Person. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company has reserved 1,835,897 shares of Company Common Stock for issuance under the Company Plan, of which 36,776 shares have been issued and are currently outstanding, 1,280,511 shares have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of Company Options previously granted and currently outstanding under the Company Plan, 311,381 shares have been issued pursuant to Company Restricted Stock Grants, and 244,005 shares of Company Common Stock remain available for future issuance of awards pursuant to the Company Plan. Section 2.6(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the following information with respect to each Company Option and Company Restricted Stock Grant outstanding as of the date of this Agreement: (i) the name of the award recipient; (ii) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option or Company Restricted Stock Grant, as applicable, at the time of grant; (iii) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option or Company Restricted Stock Grant, as applicable, as of the date of this Agreement; (iv) the exercise price of such Company Option; (v) the date on which such Company Option or Company Restricted Stock Grant, as applicable, was granted; (vi) the applicable vesting schedule, including the number of vested and unvested shares as of the date of this Agreement and any acceleration provisions; (vii) the date on which such Company Option expires; and (viii) whether such Company Option is intended to constitute an “incentive stock option” (as defined in the Code) or a non-qualified stock option. The Company has made available to Parent an accurate and complete copy of the Company Plan and a form of stock option agreement and stock grant agreement that is consistent in all material respects with the stock option agreements and stock grant agreements evidencing outstanding Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Grants, as applicable, granted thereunder. Each Company Option has been granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than fair market value of the underlying share of Company Common Stock as of the date of grant.
(d) The Company has taken all necessary action, including timely giving all notices and taking any other actions required by the terms of the Company Convertible Debt, to cause the Company Convertible Debt to convert into Company Common Stock prior to the First Effective Time. The Company Convertible Debt has, prior to the First Effective Time, been converted in its entirety to Company Common Stock, such that as of the First Effective Time there are not any bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company that is outstanding or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock or other securities of the Company.
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(e) Except for Company Options and Company Restricted Stock Grants set forth in Section 2.6(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there is no: (i) outstanding subscription, option, call, warrant or right (whether or not currently exercisable) to acquire any shares of the capital stock or other securities of the Company; (ii) outstanding security, instrument or obligation that is or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock or other securities of the Company; or (iii) condition or circumstance that could be reasonably likely to give rise to or provide a basis for the assertion of a claim by any Person to the effect that such Person is entitled to acquire or receive any shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company. There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or other similar rights with respect to the Company.
(f) All outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, Company Options, Company Restricted Stock Grants, Company Convertible Debt and other securities of the Company have been issued and granted in material compliance with (i) the Organizational Documents of the Company in effect as of the relevant time and all applicable securities Laws and other applicable Law, and (ii) all requirements set forth in applicable Contracts, including the Company Plan. Each Company Option (i) has an exercise price per share of Company Common Stock equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of Company Common Stock on the date of such grant, (ii) has a grant date that is not prior to the date on which the Company Board or a duly authorized committee thereof actually awarded such Company Option and (iii) qualifies for the Tax and accounting treatment afforded to such Company Option in the Company’s tax returns and the Company Financials, respectively.
(g) All distributions, dividends, repurchases and redemptions of the Company Capital Stock or other equity interests of the Company were undertaken in material compliance with (i) the Organizational Documents of the Company in effect as of the relevant time and all applicable securities Laws and other applicable Laws, and (ii) all requirements set forth in applicable Contract.
2.7. Financial Statements.
(a) Concurrently with the execution hereof, the Company has provided to Parent true and complete copies of (i) the Company Unaudited Annual Balance Sheet, together with the unaudited statements of operations and cash flows of the Company for the period reflected in the Company Unaudited Annual Balance Sheet and (ii) the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet, together with the unaudited statements of operations and cash flows of the Company for the period reflected in the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet (collectively, the “Company Financials”). The Company Financials were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements and except that the unaudited financial statements may not contain footnotes and are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments, none of which is material) and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and operating results of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein.
(b) The Company maintains accurate books and records reflecting its assets and liabilities and maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements of the Company in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability of the Company’s assets; (iii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for the Company’s assets is compared with the existing assets at regular intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented which are designed to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. The Company maintains internal controls consistent with the practices of similarly situated private companies over financial reporting that provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
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(c) Section 2.7(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists, and the Company has delivered to Parent accurate and complete copies of the documentation creating or governing, all securitization transactions and “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(c) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) effected by the Company since the Company’s inception.
(d) Since the Company’s inception, there have been no formal internal investigations regarding financial reporting or accounting policies and practices discussed with, reviewed by or initiated at the direction of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or general counsel of the Company, the Company Board or any committee thereof. Since the Company’s inception, neither the Company nor its independent auditors have identified (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the design or operation of the system of internal accounting controls utilized by the Company, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Company, the Company’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by the Company or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.
2.8. Absence of Changes. Except as set forth in Section 2.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, after the date of the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet, the Company has conducted its business only in the Ordinary Course of Business (except for the execution and performance of this Agreement and the discussions, negotiations and transactions related thereto) and (a) there has not been any Company Material Adverse Effect and (b) the Company has not done any of the following:
(a) declared, accrued, set aside or paid any dividend or made any other distribution in respect of any shares of its capital stock; or repurchased, redeemed or otherwise reacquired any shares of its capital stock or other securities (except for shares of Company Common Stock from terminated employees, directors or consultants of the Company or in connection with the payment of the exercise price and/or withholding Taxes incurred upon the exercise, settlement or vesting of any award granted under the Company Plan);
(b) sold, issued, granted, pledged or otherwise disposed of or encumbered or authorized any of the foregoing with respect to: (A) any capital stock or other security of the Company; (B) any option, warrant or right to acquire any capital stock or any other security, other than option grants to employees and service providers in the Ordinary Course of Business; or (C) any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other security of the Company;
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(c) except as required to give effect to anything in contemplation of the Closing, amended any of its Organizational Documents, or effected or been a party to any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction except, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contemplated Transactions;
(d) formed any Subsidiary or acquired any equity interest or other interest in any other Entity or entered into a joint venture with any other Entity;
(e) (i) lent money to any Person (except for the advance of reasonable business expenses to employees, directors and consultants in the Ordinary Course of Business), (ii) incurred or guaranteed any indebtedness for borrowed money, or (iii) guaranteed any debt securities of others;
(f) other than as required by applicable Law or the terms of any Company Benefit Plan as in effect on the date of this Agreement: (A) adopted, terminated, established or entered into any Company Benefit Plan; (B) caused any Company Benefit Plan to be amended in any material respect; (C) paid any bonus or distributed any profit-sharing account balances or similar payment to, or increased the amount of the wages, salary, commissions, benefits or other compensation or remuneration payable to, any of its directors, officers or employees; (D) granted or increased any severance, change-of-control, transaction or retention bonus, deferred compensation or similar payments or benefits with respect to any current, former or new employees, directors or consultants or (E) hired, terminated or gave notice of termination (other than for cause) to any (x) officer or (y) employee or other service provider whose annual compensation is or is expected to be more than $100,000 per year;
(g) entered into any collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement with any labor union or similar labor organization;
(h) entered into any material transaction other than (A) in the Ordinary Course of Business or (B) in connection with the Contemplated Transactions;
(i) acquired any material asset or sold, leased or otherwise irrevocably disposed of any of its assets or properties, or granted any Encumbrance with respect to such assets or properties, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(j) sold, assigned, transferred, licensed, sublicensed or otherwise disposed of any material Company IP (other than pursuant to non-exclusive licenses in the Ordinary Course of Business);
(k) made, changed or revoked any material Tax election, failed to pay any income or other material Tax as such Tax became due and payable, filed any amendment making any material change to any Tax Return, settled or compromised any income or other material Tax liability, dispute, audit, investigation, proceeding, claim, or assessment, entered into any Tax allocation, sharing, indemnification or other similar agreement or arrangement (including any “closing agreement” described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar Law) with any Governmental Body, but excluding customary commercial contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business the principal subject matter of which is not Taxes), requested or consented to any extension or waiver of any limitation period with respect to any claim or assessment for any income or other material Taxes (other than pursuant to an extension of time to file any Tax Return granted in the Ordinary Course of Business of not more than six months), surrendered any right to claim a material Tax refund, or adopted or changed any material accounting method in respect of Taxes;
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(l) made any expenditures, incurred any Liabilities (other than Tax liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business) or discharged or satisfied any Liabilities, in each case, in amounts that exceed $50,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate;
(m) other than as required by Law or GAAP, taken any action to change accounting policies or procedures;
(n) initiated or settled any Legal Proceeding; or
(o) agreed, resolved or committed to do any of the foregoing.
2.9. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. As of the date hereof, the Company has no liability, indebtedness, obligation or expense of any kind, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured or unmatured (whether or not required to be reflected in the financial statements in accordance with GAAP) (each a “Liability”), individually or in the aggregate, of a type required to be recorded or reflected on a balance sheet or disclosed in the footnotes thereto under GAAP, except for: (a) Liabilities disclosed, reflected or reserved against in the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet; (b) Liabilities that have been incurred by the Company since the date of the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet in the Ordinary Course of Business; (c) Liabilities for performance of obligations of the under Company Contracts; (d) Liabilities incurred in connection with the Contemplated Transactions; (e) Liabilities which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company; and (f) Liabilities described in Section 2.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. The Company has not obtained a loan under Paycheck Protection Program under the CARES Act.
2.10. Title to Assets. The Company owns, and has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all tangible properties or tangible assets and equipment used or held for use in its business or operations or purported to be owned by it that are material to the Company or its business, including: (a) all tangible assets reflected on the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet; and (b) all other tangible assets reflected in the books and records of the Company as being owned by the Company. All of such assets are owned or, in the case of leased assets, leased by the Company free and clear of any Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
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2.11. Real Property; Leasehold. The Company does not own and has never owned any real property. The Company has made available to Parent (a) an accurate and complete list of all real properties with respect to which the Company directly or indirectly holds a valid leasehold interest as well as any other real estate that is in the possession of, or occupied or leased by, the Company and (b) copies of all leases under which any such real property is possessed, occupied or leased (the “Company Real Estate Leases”), each of which is in full force and effect, with no existing material default thereunder. The Company’s possession, occupancy, lease, use and/or operation of each such leased property conforms to all applicable Laws in all material respects, and the Company has exclusive possession of each such leased property and leasehold interest and has not granted any occupancy rights to tenants or licensees with respect to such leased property or leasehold interest. In addition, each such leased property and leasehold interest is free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances. The Company has not received any written notice from its landlords or any Governmental Body that: (i) relates to violations of building, zoning, safety or fire ordinances or regulations; (ii) claims any defect or deficiency with respect to any of such properties; or (iii) requests the performance of any repairs, alterations or other work to such properties.
2.12. Intellectual Property.
(a) Section 2.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies each item of material Registered IP owned in whole or in part by the Company, including, with respect to each registration and application: (i) the name of the applicant/registrant, (ii) the jurisdiction of application/registration, (iii) the application or registration number and (iv) any other co-owners. To the Knowledge of the Company, each of the patents and patent applications included in Section 2.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule properly identifies by name each and every inventor of the inventions claimed therein as determined in accordance with applicable Laws of the United States. As of the date of this Agreement, no cancellation, interference, opposition, reissue, reexamination or other proceeding of any nature (other than office actions or similar communications issued by any Governmental Body in the ordinary course of prosecution of any pending applications for registration) is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, in which the scope, validity, enforceability or ownership of any Company IP is being or has been contested or challenged. To the Knowledge of the Company, each item of Company IP is valid and enforceable, and with respect to the Company’s Registered IP, subsisting. There are no actions that must be taken within ninety (90) days of the Closing, the failure of which will result in the abandonment, lapse or cancellation of any of the Company’s Registered IP.
(b) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company exclusively owns, is the sole assignee of, or has exclusively licensed all material Company IP (other than as disclosed in Section 2.12(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule), free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances. The Company IP and the Intellectual Property Rights licensed to the Company pursuant to a valid, enforceable written agreement constitute all Intellectual Property Rights used in, material to or otherwise necessary for the operation of the Company’s business as currently conducted. Each Company Associate involved in the creation or development of any material Company IP, pursuant to such Company Associate’s activities on behalf of the Company, has signed a valid and enforceable written agreement containing an assignment of such Company Associate’s rights in such Company IP to the Company. Each Company Associate who has or has had access to the Company’s trade secrets or confidential information has signed a valid and enforceable written agreement containing confidentiality provisions protecting the Company IP, trade secrets and confidential information. The Company has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect and preserve the confidentiality of its trade secrets and confidential information.
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(c) To the Knowledge of the Company, no funding, facilities or personnel of any Governmental Body or any university, college, research institute or other educational institution has been used to create Company IP, except for any such funding or use of facilities or personnel that does not result in such Governmental Body or institution obtaining ownership rights or a license to such Company IP or the right to receive royalties for the practice of such Company IP.
(d) Section 2.12(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth each license agreement pursuant to which the Company (i) is granted a license under any material Intellectual Property Right owned by any third party that is used by the Company in its business as currently conducted (each a “Company In-bound License”) or (ii) grants to any third party a license under any material Company IP or material Intellectual Property Right licensed to the Company under a Company In-bound License (each a “Company Out-bound License”) (provided, that, Company In-bound Licenses shall not include, when entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, material transfer agreements, clinical trial agreements, agreements with Company Associates, services agreements, non-disclosure agreements, commercially available Software-as-a-Service offerings, or off-the-shelf software licenses; and Company Out-bound Licenses shall not include, when entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, material transfer agreements, clinical trial agreements, services agreements, non-disclosure agreements, or non-exclusive outbound licenses). All Company In-bound Licenses and Company Out-bound Licenses are in full force and effect and are valid, enforceable and binding obligations of the Company and, to the Knowledge of Company, each other party to such Company In-bound Licenses or Company Out-bound Licenses. Neither the Company, nor to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party to such Company In-bound Licenses or Company Out-bound Licenses, is in material breach under any Company In-bound Licenses or Company Out-bound Licenses.
(e) To the Knowledge of the Company: (i) the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property Rights of any other Person and (ii) no other Person is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any Company IP or any Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to the Company. No Legal Proceeding is pending (or, to the Knowledge of the Company, is threatened in writing) (A) against the Company alleging that the operation of the business of the Company infringes or constitutes the misappropriation or other violation of any Intellectual Property Rights of another Person or (B) by the Company alleging that another Person has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any of the Company IP or any Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to the Company. Since the Company’s inception, the Company has not received any written notice or other written communication alleging that the operation of the business of the Company infringes or constitutes the misappropriation or other violation of any Intellectual Property Right of another Person.
(f) None of the Company IP or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any material Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to the Company is subject to any pending or outstanding injunction, directive, order, judgment or other disposition of dispute that adversely and materially restricts the use, transfer, registration or licensing by the Company of any such Company IP or material Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to the Company.
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(g) To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company and the operation of the Company’s business are in substantial compliance with all Laws pertaining to data privacy and data security of any personally identifiable information or sensitive business information (collectively, “Sensitive Data”). Since the Company’s inception, there have been (i) no losses or thefts of data or security breaches relating to Sensitive Data used in the business of the Company, (ii) no violations of any security policy of the Company regarding any such Sensitive Data used in the business of the Company, (iii) no unauthorized access, unauthorized use or unintended or improper disclosure of any Sensitive Data used in the business of the Company and (iv) the Company has not been subject to any litigation or regulatory enforcement actions from any person or Governmental Body alleging noncompliance with any applicable Laws pertaining to data privacy and data security of Sensitive Data. The Company has taken commercially reasonable steps and implemented reasonable disaster recovery and security plans and procedures to protect the information technology systems used in, material to or necessary for operation of the Company’s business as currently conducted from unauthorized use or access. To the Knowledge of the Company, there have been no material malfunctions or unauthorized intrusions or breaches of the information technology systems used in, material to or necessary for the operation of the Company’s business as currently conducted.
2.13. Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Section 2.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists the following Company Contracts in effect as of the date of this Agreement other than any Company Benefit Plans (each, a “Company Material Contract” and collectively, the “Company Material Contracts”):
(i) each Company Contract relating to any agreement of indemnification or guaranty not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(ii) each Company Contract containing (A) any covenant limiting the freedom of the Company or the Surviving Entity to engage in any line of business or compete with any Person, (B) any most-favored pricing arrangement or similar term by which any Person is or could become entitled to any benefit, right or privilege that must be at least as favorable to such Person as those offered to any other Person, (C) any exclusivity provision, right of first refusal or right of first negotiation or similar covenant, or (D) any non-solicitation provision;
(iii) each Company Contract relating to capital expenditures and requiring payments after the date of this Agreement in excess of $10,000 pursuant to its express terms and not cancelable without penalty;
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(iv) each Company Contract relating to the disposition or acquisition of material assets or any ownership interest in any Entity, except as contemplated hereby;
(v) each Company Contract relating to (A) the Company Convertible Debt or (B) any other mortgages, indentures, loans, notes or credit agreements, security agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit or creating any material Encumbrances with respect to any assets of the Company or any loans or debt obligations with officers or directors of the Company;
(vi) each Company Contract requiring payment by or to the Company after the date of this Agreement in excess of $10,000 pursuant to its express terms relating to: (A) any distribution agreement (identifying any that contain exclusivity provisions); (B) any agreement involving provision of services or products with respect to any pre-clinical or clinical development activities of the Company; (C) any dealer, distributor, joint marketing, alliance, joint venture, cooperation, development or other agreement currently in force under which the Company has continuing obligations to develop or market any product, technology or service, or any agreement pursuant to which the Company has continuing obligations to develop any Intellectual Property Rights that will not be owned, in whole or in part, by the Company; or (D) any Contract with any third party providing any services relating to the manufacture or production of any product, service or technology of the Company or any Contract to sell, distribute or commercialize any products or service of the Company;
(vii) each Company Contract with any financial advisor, broker, finder, investment banker or other similar Person providing financial advisory services to the Company in connection with the Contemplated Transactions;
(viii) each Company Real Estate Lease;
(ix) each Company Contract with any Governmental Body;
(x) each Company Out-bound License and Company In-bound License, and each Company Contract containing a covenant not to sue or otherwise enforce any Intellectual Property Rights;
(xi) each Company Contract containing any royalty, dividend or similar arrangement based on the revenues or profits of the Company;
(xii) each Company Contract, offer letter, or employment agreement, or independent contractor agreement with any employee or service provider whose annual compensation equals or exceeds $50,000 that (A) is not immediately terminable at will by the Company without notice, severance or other cost or payment, except as required under applicable Law, or (B) provides for retention payments, change of control payments, severance, accelerated vesting, or any similar payment or benefit that may or will become due as a result of the Merger;
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(xiii) each Company Contract providing any option to receive a license or other right, any right of first negotiation, any right of first refusal or any similar right to any Person related to any material Company IP or material Intellectual Property Right licensed to the Company under a Company In-bound License;
(xiv) each Company Contract entered into in settlement of any Legal Proceeding or other dispute; and
(xv) any other Company Contract that is not terminable at will (with no penalty or payment or requirement for prior notice) by the Company, and (A) which involves payment or receipt by the Company after the date of this Agreement under any such agreement, Contract or commitment of more than $10,000 in the aggregate, or obligations after the date of this Agreement in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate, or (B) that is material to the business or operations of the Company, taken as a whole.
(b) The Company has delivered or made available to Parent accurate and complete copies of all Company Material Contracts, including all amendments thereto. Except as set forth in Section 2.13(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no Company Material Contracts that are not in written form. Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, as of the date of this Agreement any other party to a Company Material Contract, has breached, violated or defaulted under, or received notice that it breached, violated or defaulted under, any of the terms or conditions of any Company Material Contract in such manner as would permit any other party to cancel or terminate any such Company Material Contract, or would permit any other party to seek damages which would reasonably be expected to be material to the Company or its business. As to the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, each Company Material Contract is valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. No Person is renegotiating, or has a right pursuant to the terms of any Company Material Contract to change, any material amount paid or payable to the Company under any Company Material Contract or any other material term or provision of any Company Material Contract, and no Person has indicated in writing to the Company that it desires to renegotiate, modify, not renew or cancel any Company Material Contract.
2.14. Compliance; Permits; Restrictions.
(a) The Company is, and since January 1, 2018, has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, including the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations issued thereunder by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA” and collectively, the “FDCA”), the Public Health Service Act and its implementing regulations (“PHSA”) and any other similar Law administered, promulgated, or enforced by the FDA, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), any agency within HHS, or other comparable Governmental Body responsible for regulation of the research, development, pre-clinical and clinical testing, manufacturing, storage, supply, approval, sale, marketing, distribution and importation or exportation of drug and biological products (each, a “Drug Regulatory Agency”), except for any noncompliance, either individually or in the aggregate, which would not be material to the Company. No Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company. There is no agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon the Company which (i) has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of the Company, any acquisition of material property by the Company or the conduct of business by the Company as currently conducted, (ii) is reasonably likely to have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to comply with or perform any covenant or obligation under this Agreement, or (iii) is reasonably likely to have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with the Contemplated Transactions.
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(b) The Company holds all required Governmental Authorizations which are material to the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted (the “Company Permits”). Section 2.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies each Company Permit. Each such Company Permit is valid and in full force and effect, and the Company is in material compliance with the terms of the Company Permits. No Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, which seeks to revoke, limit, suspend, or materially modify any Company Permit. The rights and benefits of each Company Permit will be available to the Surviving Entity, as applicable, immediately after the Second Effective Time on terms substantially identical to those enjoyed by the Company as of the date of this Agreement and immediately prior to the First Effective Time.
(c) There are no proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company with respect to an alleged material violation by the Company of the FDCA, PHSA or any other similar Law administered or promulgated by any Drug Regulatory Agency. Neither the Company nor any of its officers and employees has been or is subject to any enforcement proceedings by the FDA or other Governmental Body and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such proceedings have been threatened. There has not been and is not now any Form FDA-483 observation, civil, criminal or administrative action, suit, demand, claim, complaint, hearing, investigation, demand letter, warning letter, untitled letter, or proceeding pending or in effect against the Company or any of their respective officers and employees, and the Company has no liability for failure to comply with the FDCA, PHSA, or other similar Laws. There is no act, omission, event, or circumstance of which the Company has Knowledge that would reasonably be expected to give rise to or form the basis for any civil, criminal or administrative action, suit, demand, claim, complaint, hearing, investigation, demand letter, warning letter, untitled letter, proceeding or request for information or any liability (whether actual or contingent) for failure to comply with the FDCA, PHSA or other similar Laws.
(d) The Company holds all required Governmental Authorizations issuable by any Drug Regulatory Agency necessary or material to the conduct of the business of the Company as currently conducted (collectively, the “Company Regulatory Permits”) and no such Company Regulatory Permit has been (i) revoked, withdrawn, suspended, cancelled or terminated or (ii) modified in any adverse manner. There is no basis for believing that such Company Regulatory Permits will not be renewable upon expiration. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the Company Regulatory Permits and has not received any written notice or other written communication, or to the Knowledge of the Company, any other communication from any Drug Regulatory Agency regarding (A) any material violation of or failure to comply materially with any term or requirement of any Company Regulatory Permit or (B) any revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or material modification of any Company Regulatory Permit. To the Knowledge of the Company, there are no facts that would be reasonably likely to result in any warning, untitled or notice of violation letter or Form FDA-483 from the FDA.
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(e) All clinical, pre-clinical and other studies and tests conducted by or on behalf of, or sponsored by, the Company, or in which the Company or its current products or product candidates have participated, were and, if still pending, are being conducted in all material respects in accordance with standard medical and scientific research procedures and in compliance in all material respects with the applicable regulations of any applicable Drug Regulatory Agency and other applicable Law, including the Good Clinical Practice (“GCP”) regulations under 21 C.F.R. Parts 50, 54, 56 and 312 and Good Laboratory Practice (“GLP”) regulations under 21 C.F.R. Part 58. No preclinical study or clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of the Company has been terminated or suspended prior to completion for safety or noncompliance reasons. Since their inception, the Company has not received any notices, correspondence, or other communications from any Drug Regulatory Agency, Institutional Review Board or Ethics Committee, requiring, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatening to initiate, the termination, suspension or material modification of any clinical studies conducted by or on behalf of, or sponsored by, the Company or in which the Company or its current products or product candidates have participated or to disqualify, restrict or debar any preclinical or clinical investigator or other person involved in any such study or trial.
(f) The Company is not the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened investigation in respect of its business or products or product candidates pursuant to the FDA’s “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy set forth in 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991) and any amendments thereto. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company has not committed any acts, made any statement, or failed to make any statement, in each case in respect of its business or products or product candidate that would violate the FDA’s “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy, and any amendments thereto.
(g) None of the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees or, to the Knowledge of the Company, agents has been, is, or is in anticipation of being (based on a conviction by the courts or a finding of fault by a regulatory authority): (a) debarred pursuant to the Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1992 (21 U.S.C. § 335a), as amended from time to time; (b) disqualified from participating in clinical trials pursuant to 21 C.F.R. § 312.70, as amended from time to time; (c) disqualified as a testing facility under 21 C.F.R. Part 58, Subpart K, as amended from time to time; (d) excluded, debarred or suspended from or otherwise ineligible to participate in a “Federal Health Care Program” as that term is defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(f), including under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7 or relevant regulations in 42 C.F.R. Part 1001; (e) assessed or threatened with assessment of civil money penalties pursuant to 42 C.F.R. Part 1003; or (f) included on the HHS Office of Inspector General List of Excluded Individuals/Entities, the General Services Administration’s System for Award Management, or the FDA Debarment List or the FDA Disqualified/Restricted List. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors, employees or, to the Knowledge of the Company, agents has engaged in any activities that are prohibited, or are cause for civil penalties, or grounds for mandatory or permissive exclusion, debarment, or suspension pursuant to any of these authorities. The Company is not using, and has never used, in any capacity any Person that has ever been, or to the Knowledge of Company, is the subject of a proceeding that could lead to the Persons becoming debarred, excluded, disqualified, restricted or suspended pursuant to any of these authorities.
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(h) The Company has complied with all Laws relating to patient, medical or individual health information, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and its implementing regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time (collectively “HIPAA”), including the standards for the privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information at 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164, Subparts A and E, the standards for the protection of Electronic Protected Health Information set forth at 45 C.F.R. Part 160 and 45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart A and Subpart C, the standards for transactions and code sets used in electronic transactions at 45 C.F.R. Part 160, Subpart A and Part 162, and the standards for Breach Notification for Unsecured Protected Health Information at 45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart D, all as amended from time to time. The Company has entered into, where required, and is in compliance in all material respects with the terms of all Business Associate (as defined in HIPAA) agreements (“Business Associate Agreements”) to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound. The Company has created and maintained written policies and procedures to protect the privacy of all Protected Health Information, has provided training to all employees and agents as required under HIPAA, and has implemented security procedures, including physical, technical and administrative safeguards, to protect all personal information and Protected Health Information stored or transmitted in electronic form. The Company has not received written notice from the Office for Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or any other Governmental Body of any allegation regarding its failure to comply with HIPAA or any other federal or state law or regulation applicable to the protection of individually identifiable health information or personally identifiable information. No successful Security Incident, Breach of Unsecured Protected Health Information, unpermitted disclosure of Personal Health Information or breach of personally identifiable information under applicable Laws has occurred with respect to information maintained or transmitted to the Company or an agent or third party subject to a Business Associate Agreement with the Company. The Company is currently submitting, receiving and handling or is capable of submitting, receiving and handling transactions in accordance with the Transactions and Code Sets Rule. All capitalized terms in this Section 2.14(h) not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth under HIPAA.
2.15. Legal Proceedings; Orders.
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, there is no material pending Legal Proceeding and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person has threatened in writing to commence any Legal Proceeding: (i) that involves (A) the Company, (B) any Company Associate (in his or her capacity as such) or (C) any of the material assets owned or used by the Company; or (ii) that challenges, or that would have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 2.15(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, since the Company’s inception through the date of this Agreement, no Legal Proceeding has been pending against the Company that resulted in material liability to the Company.
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(c) There is no order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which the Company, or any of the material assets owned or used by the Company, is subject. To the Knowledge of the Company, no officer or employees of the Company is subject to any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree that prohibits such officer or employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity or practice relating to the business of the Company or to any material assets owned or used by the Company.
2.16. Tax Matters.
(a) The Company has timely filed all material Tax Returns that were required to be filed by or with respect to it under applicable Law. All such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all material respects and have been prepared in compliance with all applicable Law. No claim has ever been made by any Governmental Body in any jurisdiction where the Company does not file a particular Tax Return or pay a particular Tax that the Company is required to file a Tax Return or pay a Tax in that jurisdiction.
(b) All material amounts of Taxes due and owing by the Company (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been fully and timely paid. The unpaid Taxes of the Company did not, as of the date of the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet, materially exceed the reserve for Tax liability (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax items) set forth on the face of the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet. Since the date of the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet, the Company has not incurred any material Liability for Taxes outside the Ordinary Course of Business.
(c) All Taxes that the Company is or was required by Law to withhold or collect have been duly and timely withheld or collected in all material respects on behalf of its respective employees, independent contractors, stockholders, lenders, customers or other third parties and have been timely paid to the proper Governmental Body or other Person or properly set aside in accounts for this purpose.
(d) There are no Encumbrances for material Taxes (other than Taxes not yet due and payable) upon any of the assets of the Company.
(e) No deficiencies for a material amount of Taxes with respect to the Company have been claimed, proposed or assessed by any Governmental Body in writing. There are no pending or ongoing and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no threatened audits, assessments or other actions for or relating to any liability in respect of a material amount of Taxes of the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its predecessors has waived any statute of limitations or agreed to any extension of time with respect to any income or other material Tax assessment or deficiency.
(f) The Company has not been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(g) The Company is not a party to any Tax allocation agreement, Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnity agreement, or similar agreement or arrangement, other than customary commercial contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business the principal subject matter of which is not Taxes.
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(h) The Company will not be required to include or accelerate any item of income in, or exclude or defer any item of deduction from, taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any: (i) change in method of accounting for Tax purposes for a Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) use of an improper method of accounting for a Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (iv) intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law); (v) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date; (vi) prepaid amount, advance payment or deferred revenue received or accrued on or prior to the Closing Date; (vii) application of Section 367(d) of the Code to any transfer of intangible property on or prior to the Closing Date; (viii) application of Sections 951 or 951A of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) to any income received or accrued on or prior to the Closing Date; or (ix) election under Section 108(i) of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law). The Company has no unpaid deferred employment Taxes under the CARES Act, taken, has not claimed, or applied for an employee retention tax credit, or taken out any loan, received any loan assistance or received any other financial assistance, or requested any of the foregoing, in each case under the CARES Act, including pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. The Company has not made any election under Section 965(h) of the Code.
(i) The Company has no Liability for any material Taxes of any Person (other than the Company) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract or otherwise.
(j) The Company has never distributed stock of another Person, or had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code or Section 361 of the Code (or any similar provisions of state, local or foreign Law).
(k) The Company has not participated in or been a party to a transaction that, as of the date of this Agreement, constitutes a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Section 6707A(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b).
(l) The Company has not taken any action (or agreed to take any action) or become aware of any fact that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.
(m) Section 2.16(m) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the entity classification of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company has not made an election or taken any other action to change its federal and state income tax classification from such classification.
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For purposes of this Section 2.16, each reference to the Company shall be deemed to include any Person that was liquidated into, merged with, or is otherwise a predecessor to, the Company.
2.17. Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans.
(a) Section 2.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule is a list of all material Company Benefit Plans (except for (A) any individual stock purchase, stock option and other equity compensation agreements which do not deviate from the representative forms of such agreements made available to Parent, and (B) employment agreements and offer letters establishing at-will employment without obligating the Company to make any payment or provide any benefit upon termination of employment other than through a plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement listed on Section 2.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule). “Company Benefit Plan” means each (i) “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and (ii) other pension, retirement, deferred compensation, excess benefit, profit sharing, bonus, commission, equity or equity-based incentive, phantom equity, employment, consulting, severance, change-of-control, retention, health, life, disability, group insurance, paid time off, holiday, welfare and fringe benefit plan, program, agreement, contract, or arrangement (whether written or unwritten, qualified or nonqualified, funded or unfunded and including any that have been frozen), in each case, sponsored, maintained, administered, contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by the Company for the benefit of any current or former employee, director, officer or independent contractor of the Company or under which the Company has any actual or contingent liability.
(b) As applicable with respect to each material Company Benefit Plan, the Company has made available to Parent, true and complete copies of (i) each material Company Benefit Plan, including all amendments thereto, and in the case of an unwritten material Company Benefit Plan, a written description thereof, (ii) all current trust documents, investment management contracts, custodial agreements, administrative services agreements and insurance and annuity contracts relating thereto, (iii) the current summary plan description and each summary of material modifications thereto, (iv) the most recently filed annual reports with any Governmental Body (e.g., Form 5500 and all schedules thereto), (v) the most recent IRS determination, opinion or advisory letter, (vi) the most recent summary annual reports, nondiscrimination testing reports, actuarial reports, financial statements and trustee reports, and (vii) all notices and filings from the IRS or Department of Labor or other Governmental Body concerning audits, investigations, plan corrections or “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
(c) Each material Company Benefit Plan has been maintained, operated and administered in compliance in all material respects with its terms and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other Laws. The Company and each Company ERISA Affiliate have complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “ACA”), and neither the Company nor any Company ERISA Affiliate have received, or reasonably expect to receive, any penalty notice with respect to the ACA.
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(d) The Company Benefit Plans which are “employee pension benefit plans” within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA and which are intended to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code have received determination or opinion letters from the IRS on which they may currently rely to the effect that such plans are qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the related trusts are exempt from federal income Taxes under Section 501(a) of the Code, respectively, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred that would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the qualification of such Company Benefit Plan or the tax exempt status of the related trust.
(e) In the last six years, neither the Company nor any Company ERISA Affiliate has maintained, established, participated in contributed to, has been required to contribute to, or has had any actual or contingent liability with respect to, (i) any “employee pension benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) any “multiemployer plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA), (iii) any “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 413 of the Code) or (iv) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA).
(f) There are no pending audits or investigations by any Governmental Body involving any Company Benefit Plan, and no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened claims (except for routine individual claims for benefits payable in the normal operation of the Company Benefit Plans), suits or proceedings involving any Company Benefit Plan, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any fiduciary thereof or service provider thereto, in any case except as would not be reasonably expected to result in material liability to the Company. All contributions and premium payments required to have been made under any of the Company Benefit Plans or by applicable Law (without regard to any waivers granted under Section 412 of the Code), have been timely made and the Company has no material liability for any unpaid contributions with respect to any Company Benefit Plan. Each Company Benefit Plan may be terminated in accordance with its terms and applicable Law without the imposition of material liability (including any contingent liability) on the Company.
(g) Neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any fiduciary, trustee or administrator of any Company Benefit Plan, has engaged in, or in connection with the Contemplated Transactions will engage in, any transaction with respect to any Company Benefit Plan which would subject any such Company Benefit Plan, the Company, or Parent to a material Tax, material penalty or material liability for a “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
(h) No Company Benefit Plan provides death, medical, dental, vision, life insurance or other welfare benefits beyond termination of service or retirement other than coverage mandated by Law and the Company has not made a written representation promising the same.
(i) Neither the execution of this Agreement, nor the performance of the Contemplated Transactions (either alone or when combined with the occurrence of any other event, including without limitation, a termination of employment), will: (i) result in any payment becoming due to any current or former employee, director, officer, or independent contractor of the Company thereof, pursuant to any Company Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase any amount of compensation or benefits otherwise payable under any Company Benefit Plan or otherwise, (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, funding or vesting of any benefits under any Company Benefit Plan or otherwise, (iv) require any contribution or payment to fund any obligation under any Company Benefit Plan or otherwise or (v) limit the right to merge, amend or terminate any Company Benefit Plan.
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(j) Except as set forth in Section 2.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions (either alone or when combined with the occurrence of any other event, including without limitation, a termination of employment) will result in the receipt or retention by any person who is a “disqualified individual” (within the meaning of Code Section 280G) with respect to the Company of any payment or benefit that is or could be characterized as a “parachute payment” (within the meaning of Code Section 280G), determined without regard to the application of Code Section 280G(b)(5).
(k) Each Company Benefit Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) has been operated and administered in compliance with, is and has been in documentary compliance with, Section 409A of the Code, in each case, in all material respects.
(l) No current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor of the Company has any “gross up” agreements with the Company or other assurance of reimbursement by the Company for any Taxes imposed under Code Section 409A or Code Section 4999.
(m) The Company does not maintain any Company Benefit Plan outside of the United States.
(n) The Company has provided to Parent a true and correct list, as of the date of this Agreement, containing the names of all current full-time, part-time or temporary employees and independent contractors (and indication as such), and, as applicable: (i) the annual dollar amount of all cash compensation in the form of wages, salary, fees, commissions, or director’s fees payable to each Person; (ii) dates of employment or service; (iii) title and, with respect to independent contractors, a current written description of such Person’s contracting services; (iv) visa status, if applicable; and (v) with respect to employees, (A) a designation of whether they are classified as exempt or non-exempt for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended (“FLSA”) and any similar state law and (B) whether such an employee is on leave and, if so, the nature of such leave and expected return date.
(o) The Company is not and has never been a party to, bound by, or has a duty to bargain under, any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor union or similar labor organization representing any of its employees, and there is no labor union or similar labor organization representing or, to the Knowledge of the Company, purporting to represent or seeking to represent any employees of the Company, including through the filing of a petition for representation election. There is not and has not been since the Company’s inception, nor is there or has there been since the Company’s inception any threat of, any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, union election petition, demand for recognition, or any similar activity or dispute or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any union organizing activity, against the Company.
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(p) The Company is, and since the Company’s inception has been, in material compliance with all applicable Laws respecting labor, employment, employment practices, and terms and conditions of employment, including worker classification, discrimination, harassment and retaliation, equal employment opportunities, fair employment practices, meal and rest periods, immigration, employee safety and health, payment of wages (including overtime wages), unemployment and workers’ compensation, leaves of absence, and hours of work. Except as would not be reasonably likely to result in a material liability to the Company, with respect to employees of the Company, the Company, since the Company’s inception, has withheld and reported all amounts required by Law to be withheld and reported with respect to wages, salaries and other payments, benefits, or compensation to employees. There are no actions, suits, claims, charges, lawsuits, investigations, audits or administrative matters pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened or reasonably anticipated against the Company relating to any employee, applicant for employment, or consultant.
(q) Since the Company’s inception, the Company has not implemented any “plant closing” or “mass layoff” of employees that would reasonably be expected to require notification under the WARN Act or any similar state or local Law, no such “plant closing” or “mass layoff” will be implemented before the Closing Date without advance notification to and approval of Parent, and there has been no “employment loss” as defined by the WARN Act within the ninety (90) days prior to the date of this Agreement.
(r) The Company is and has at all relevant times been in material compliance with (i) COVID-19-related Laws, standards, regulations, orders and guidance (including without limitation relating to business reopening), including those issued and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and any other Governmental Body; and (ii) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (including with respect to eligibility for tax credits under such Act) and any other applicable COVID-19-related leave Law, whether state, local or otherwise.
2.18. Environmental Matters. The Company is and since the Company’s inception has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession by the Company of all permits and other Governmental Authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws and compliance with the terms and conditions thereof, except for any failure to be in such compliance that, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company or its business. The Company has not received since the Company’s inception, any written notice or other communication (in writing or otherwise), whether from a Governmental Body or other Person, that alleges that the Company is not in compliance with or has liability pursuant to any Environmental Law and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no circumstances that would reasonably be expected to prevent or interfere with the Company’s compliance in any material respects with any Environmental Law, except where such failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company or its business. No current or (during the time a prior property was leased or controlled by the Company) prior property leased or controlled by the Company has had a release of or exposure to Hazardous Materials in material violation of or as would reasonably be expected to result in any material liability of the Company pursuant to Environmental Law. No consent, approval or Governmental Authorization of or registration or filing with any Governmental Body is required by Environmental Laws in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or consummation of the Contemplated Transactions by the Company. Prior to the date hereof, the Company has provided or otherwise made available to Parent true and correct copies of all material environmental reports, assessments, studies and audits in the possession or control of the Company with respect to any property leased or controlled by the Company or any business operated by it.
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2.19. Insurance. The Company has delivered or made available to Parent accurate and complete copies of all material insurance policies and all material self-insurance programs and arrangements relating to the business, assets, liabilities and operations of the Company. Each of such insurance policies is in full force and effect and the Company is in compliance in all material respects with the terms thereof. Other than customary end of policy notifications from insurance carriers, since the Company’s inception, the Company has not received any notice or other communication regarding any actual or possible: (a) cancellation or invalidation of any insurance policy; or (b) refusal or denial of any coverage, reservation of rights or rejection of any material claim under any insurance policy. The Company has provided timely written notice to the appropriate insurance carrier(s) of each Legal Proceeding that is currently pending against the Company for which the Company has insurance coverage, and no such carrier has issued a denial of coverage or a reservation of rights with respect to any such Legal Proceeding, or informed the Company of its intent to do so.
2.20. No Financial Advisors. Except as set forth in Section 2.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage fee, finder’s fee, opinion fee, success fee, transaction fee or other fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company.
2.21. Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) Section 2.21(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule describes any material transactions or relationships, since the Company’s inception, between, on one hand, the Company and, on the other hand, any (i) officer or director of the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of such officer’s or director’s immediate family members, (ii) owner of more than 5% of the voting power of the outstanding Company Capital Stock or (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, any “related person” (within the meaning of Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act) of any such officer, director or owner (other than the Company) in the case of each of (i), (ii) or (iii) that is of the type that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
(b) Section 2.21(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists each stockholders agreement, voting agreement, registration rights agreement, co-sale agreement or other similar Contract between the Company and any holders of Company Capital Stock, including any such Contract granting any Person investor rights, rights of first refusal, rights of first offer, registration rights, director designation rights or similar rights (collectively, the “Investor Agreements”).
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2.22. Anti-Bribery. None of the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees or, to the Company’s Knowledge, agents or any other Person acting on their behalf (in each in their respective capacities as such) has directly or indirectly made any bribes, rebates, payoffs, influence payments, kickbacks, illegal payments, illegal political contributions, or other payments, in the form of cash, gifts, or otherwise, or taken any other action, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act of 2010 or any other anti-bribery or anti-corruption Law (collectively, the “Anti-Bribery Laws”). The Company is not and has not been the subject of any investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Body with respect to potential violations of Anti-Bribery Laws.
2.23. Accredited Investors. To the Knowledge of the Company, each holder of Company Capital Stock as of immediately prior to the First Effective time is an accredited investor, as that term is defined in Regulation D promulgated by the SEC.
2.24. Disclaimer of Other Representations or Warranties.
(a) Except as previously set forth in this Section 2 or in any certificate delivered by the Company to Parent and/or Merger Subs pursuant to this Agreement, the Company makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity, with respect to it or any of its assets, liabilities or operations, and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed.
(b) The Company acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Subs set forth in Section 3 or in any certificate delivered by Parent and/or Merger Subs to the Company pursuant to this Agreement, none of Parent, Merger Subs or any of their respective Representatives is relying on any other representation or warranty of Parent or any other Person made outside of Section 3 or such certificate, including regarding the accuracy or completeness of any such other representations or warranties or the omission of any material information, whether express or implied, in each case, with respect to the Contemplated Transactions.
Section 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUBS
Subject to Section 8.13(h), except (a) as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by Parent to the Company (the “Parent Disclosure Schedule”) or (b) as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed with the SEC after December 31, 2020 and prior to the date hereof and publicly available on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system (but (i) without giving effect to any amendment thereof filed with, or furnished to the SEC on or after the date hereof and (ii) excluding any disclosures contained under the heading “Risk Factors” and any disclosure of risks included in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or in any other section to the extent they are forward-looking statements or cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), it being understood that any matter disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents (x) shall not be deemed disclosed for purposes of Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.3, Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, and Section 3.7 and (y) shall be deemed to be disclosed in a section of the Parent Disclosure Schedule only to the extent that it is readily apparent from a reading of such Parent SEC Documents that is applicable to such section of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
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3.1. Due Organization; Subsidiaries.
(a) Each of Parent and First Merger Sub is a corporation and Second Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly incorporated or formed, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as applicable, and has all necessary corporate or limited liability company power and authority: (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted; (ii) to own or lease and use its property and assets in the manner in which its property and assets are currently owned or leased and used; and (iii) to perform its obligations under all Contracts by which it is bound. Since their respective date of incorporation or formation, as applicable, no Merger Sub has engaged in any activities other than activities incident to its formation or in connection with or as contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Parent is duly licensed and qualified to do business, and is in good standing (to the extent applicable in such jurisdiction), under the Laws of all jurisdictions where the nature of its business requires such licensing or qualification other than in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified individually or in the aggregate would not be reasonably expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Parent has no Subsidiaries, except for the Entities identified in Section 3.1(c) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule; and neither Parent nor any of the Entities identified in Section 3.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule owns any capital stock of, or any equity, ownership or profit-sharing interest of any nature in, or controls directly or indirectly, any other Entity other than the Entities identified in Section 3.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Each of Parent’s Subsidiaries is a corporation or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and, if applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all necessary corporate or other power and authority: (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted; (ii) to own or lease and use its property and assets in the manner in which its property and assets are currently owned or leased and used; and (iii) to perform its obligations under all Contracts by which it is bound.
(d) Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has otherwise been, directly or indirectly, a party to, member of or participant in any partnership, joint venture or similar business Entity. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has agreed or is obligated to make, or is bound by any Contract under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other Entity. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has, at any time, been a general partner of, or has otherwise been liable for, any of the debts or other obligations of, any general partnership, limited partnership or other Entity.
3.2. Organizational Documents. Parent has made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries in effect as of the date of this Agreement. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or violation of its respective Organizational Documents.
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3.3. Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement.
(a) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries (including the Merger Subs) have all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and, subject, with respect to Parent, to receipt of the Required Parent Stockholder Vote and, with respect to Merger Subs, the adoption of this Agreement by Parent in its capacity as sole stockholder of Merger Subs, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. The Parent Board (at meetings duly called and held) has: (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders; (ii) authorized, approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, including the issuance of Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the treatment of the Company Options and the Company Convertible Debt pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholders of Parent vote to approve the Parent Stockholder Matters. The First Merger Sub Board (by unanimous written consent) has: (A) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable, and in the best interests of First Merger Sub and its sole stockholder; (B) authorized, approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions; and (C) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholder of First Merger Sub vote to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions. Parent, in its capacity as the sole member of Second Merger Sub, has: (A) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable, and in the best interests of Second Merger Sub and its sole member; (B) authorized, approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions; and (C) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the member of Second Merger Sub vote to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and each Merger Sub and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent and Merger Subs, enforceable against each of Parent and Merger Subs in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
3.4. Vote Required. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting by the holders of Parent Common Stock (other than the Parent Common Stock Payment Shares to be issued at Closing pursuant to this Agreement) are the only vote of the holders of any class or series of Parent’s capital stock necessary to approve the proposals described in Section 4.2(a) (“Required Parent Stockholder Vote”). The approval of holders of Parent Common Stock is not required in order to approve this Agreement or, except with respect to Parent Stockholder Matters, the transactions contemplated hereby.
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3.5. Non-Contravention; Consents. Subject to obtaining the Required Parent Stockholder Vote and the filing of the Certificates of Merger required by the DGCL and the DLLCA and the filing of the Certificate of Designation, neither (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Parent or Merger Subs, nor (y) the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, will directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time):
(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of Parent or Merger Subs;
(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Law or any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which Parent or its Subsidiaries, or any of the assets owned or used by Parent or its Subsidiaries, is subject, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to Parent or its business;
(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by Parent, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to Parent or its business;
(d) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or result in a default under, any provision of any Parent Material Contract, or give any Person the right to: (i) declare a default or exercise any remedy under any Parent Material Contract; (ii) any material payment, rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule under any Parent Material Contract; (iii) accelerate the maturity or performance of any Parent Material Contract; or (iv) cancel, terminate or modify any term of any Parent Material Contract, except in the case of any non-material breach, default, penalty or modification; or
(e) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to any asset owned or used by Parent (except for Permitted Encumbrances).
Except for (i) any Consent set forth in Section 3.5 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule under any Parent Contract, (ii) the Required Parent Stockholder Vote, (iii) the filing of the Certificates of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL and the DLLCA, (iv) the filing of the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL and (v) such consents, waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable federal and state securities Laws, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is or will be required to make any filing with or give any notice to, or to obtain any Consent from, any Person in connection with (A) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or (B) the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. The Parent Board, the First Merger Sub Board and Parent, in its capacity as the sole member of Second Merger Sub, have taken and will take all actions necessary to ensure that the restrictions applicable to business combinations contained in Section 203 of the DGCL (or analogous provisions) are, and will be, inapplicable to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements and to the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. No other state takeover statute or similar Law applies or purports to apply to the Merger, this Agreement or any of the other Contemplated Transactions.
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3.6. Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Parent as of the date of this Agreement consists of 400,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 21,974,302 shares have been issued and are outstanding as of the close of business on the Reference Date and 40,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which no shares have been issued and are outstanding as of the close of business on the Reference Date. Parent does not hold any shares of its capital stock in its treasury.
(b) All of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable. None of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock are entitled or subject to any preemptive right, right of participation, right of maintenance or any similar right and none of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock is subject to any right of first refusal in favor of Parent. Except as contemplated herein, there is no Parent Contract relating to the voting or registration of, or restricting any Person from purchasing, selling, pledging or otherwise disposing of (or granting any option or similar right with respect to), any shares of Parent Common Stock. Parent is not under any obligation, nor is it bound by any Contract pursuant to which it may become obligated, to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock or other securities. Section 3.6(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule accurately and completely lists all repurchase rights held by Parent with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock (including shares issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options) and specifies which of those repurchase rights are currently exercisable and whether the holder of such shares of Parent Common Stock timely filed an election with the relevant Governmental Bodies under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to such shares.
(c) Except for the Parent Stock Plan, and except as set forth in Section 3.6(c) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, Parent does not have any stock option plan or any other plan, program, agreement or arrangement providing for any equity-based compensation for any Person. As of the close of business on the Reference Date, 5,745,621 shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of Parent Options granted under the Parent Stock Plan that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, 458,320 shares have been reserved for issuance upon settlement of Parent RSUs granted and currently outstanding under the Parent Stock Plan, and 449,470 shares remain available for future issuance pursuant to the Parent Stock Plan. Section 3.6(c) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule sets forth the following information with respect to each Parent Option and Parent RSU outstanding as of the Reference Date: (i) the name of the award recipient; (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such Parent Option or Parent RSU, as applicable, at the time of grant; (iii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such Parent Option or Parent RSU, as applicable, as of the Reference Date; (iv) the exercise price of such Parent Option; (v) the date on which such Parent Option or Parent RSU, as applicable, was granted; (vi) the applicable vesting schedule, including the number of vested and unvested shares as of the Reference Date and any acceleration provisions; and (vii) whether such Parent Option is intended to constitute an “incentive stock option” (as defined in the Code) or a non-qualified stock option. Parent has made available to the Company an accurate and complete copy of the Parent Stock Plan and a form of stock option agreement and form of restricted stock unit agreement that is consistent in all material respects with the stock option agreements and restricted stock unit agreements evidencing outstanding Parent Options and Parent RSUs granted thereunder.
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(d) Except for the Parent Options and Parent RSU, and as otherwise set forth in Section 3.6(d) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, there is no: (i) outstanding subscription, option, call, warrant or right (whether or not currently exercisable) to acquire any shares of the capital stock or other securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) outstanding security, instrument or obligation that is or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock or other securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iii) condition or circumstance that could be reasonably likely to give rise to or provide a basis for the assertion of a claim by any Person to the effect that such Person is entitled to acquire or receive any shares of capital stock or other securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (it being understood that Parent intends to issue prior to (but contingent upon) the Closing restricted stock units to certain employees of the Company identified in the Company Disclosure Schedule). There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or other similar rights with respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. In addition, there are no stockholder rights plans (or similar plan commonly referred to as a “poison pill”) or bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Parent having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which stockholders of Parent may vote.
(e) All outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock, Parent Options, Parent RSUs, and other securities of Parent have been issued and granted in material compliance with (i) the Organizational Documents of Parent in effect as of the relevant time and all applicable securities Laws and other applicable Law, and (ii) all requirements set forth in applicable Contracts, including the Parent Stock Plan. Each Parent Option (i) has an exercise price per share of Parent Common Stock equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of Parent Common Stock on the date of such grant, (ii) has a grant date that is not prior to the date on which the Parent Board or a duly authorized committee thereof actually awarded such Parent Option and (iii) qualifies for the Tax and accounting treatment afforded to such Parent Option in Parent’s tax returns and financial statements of Parent, respectively.
(f) All distributions, dividends, repurchases and redemptions of Parent Common Stock or other equity interests of Parent were undertaken in material compliance with (i) the Organizational Documents of Parent in effect as of the relevant time and all applicable securities Laws and other applicable Laws, and (ii) all requirements set forth in applicable Contracts.
3.7. SEC Filings; Financial Statements.
(a) Parent has delivered or made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of all registration statements, proxy statements, Certifications (as defined below) and other statements, reports, schedules, forms and other documents filed by Parent with the SEC since January 1, 2018 (the “Parent SEC Documents”), other than such documents that can be obtained on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Since January 1, 2018, material statements, reports, schedules, forms and other documents required to have been filed by Parent or its officers with the SEC have been so filed on a timely basis. As of the time it was filed with the SEC (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such filing), each of the Parent SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (as the case may be) and, as of the time they were filed, or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, on the date of the last such amendment or superseding filing prior to the date of this Agreement, none of the Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The certifications and statements required by (i) Rule 13a-14 under the Exchange Act and (ii) 18 U.S.C. §1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) relating to the Parent SEC Documents (collectively, the “Certifications”) are accurate and complete and comply as to form and content with all applicable Laws, and no current or former executive officer of Parent has failed to make the Certifications required of him or her. Parent has made available to the Company true and complete copies of all correspondence, other than transmittal correspondence or general communications by the SEC not specifically addressed to Parent, between the SEC, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other, since January 1, 2018, including all SEC comment letters and responses to such comment letters and responses to such comment letters by or on behalf of Parent except for such comment letters and responses to such comment letters that are publicly accessible through EDGAR. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding unresolved comments in comment letters received from the SEC or Nasdaq with respect to Parent SEC Documents. To the Knowledge of Parent, none of the Parent SEC Documents is the subject of ongoing SEC review and there are no inquiries or investigations by the SEC or any internal investigations pending or threatened, including with regards to any accounting practices of Parent. As used in this Section 3.7, the term “file” and variations thereof shall be broadly construed to include any manner in which a document or information is filed, furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC.
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(b) The financial statements (including any related notes) contained or incorporated by reference in the Parent SEC Documents: (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC applicable thereto; (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements or, in the case of unaudited financial statements, except as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC, and except that the unaudited financial statements may not contain footnotes and are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments) applied on a consistent basis unless otherwise noted therein throughout the periods indicated; and (iii) fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows of Parent for the periods covered thereby. Other than as expressly disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there has been no material change in Parent’s accounting methods or principles that would be required to be disclosed in Parent’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
(c) Parent’s independent registered public accounting firm has at all times since the date of enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act been: (i) a registered public accounting firm (as defined in Section 2(a)(12) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); (ii) to the Knowledge of Parent, “independent” with respect to Parent within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act; and (iii) to the Knowledge of Parent, in compliance with subsections (g) through (l) of Section 10A of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board thereunder.
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(d) Since January 1, 2018, through the date of this Agreement, Parent has not received any comment letter from the SEC or the staff thereof or any correspondence from officials of Nasdaq or the staff thereof relating to the delisting or maintenance of listing of the Parent Common Stock on Nasdaq. As of the date of this Agreement, Parent has timely responded to all comment letters of the staff of the SEC relating to the Parent SEC Documents, and the SEC has not advised Parent that any final responses are inadequate, insufficient or otherwise non-responsive. Parent has made available to the Company true, correct and complete copies or all comment letters, written inquiries and enforcement correspondences between the SEC, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other hand, occurring since January 1, 2018 and will, reasonably promptly following the receipt thereof, make available to the Company any such correspondence sent or received after the date of this Agreement. To the Knowledge of Parent, as of the date of this Agreement, none of the Parent SEC Documents is the subject of an ongoing SEC report or outstanding SEC comment.
(e) Since January 1, 2018, there have been no formal investigations regarding financial reporting or accounting policies and practices discussed with, reviewed by or initiated at the direction of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or general counsel of Parent, the Parent Board or any committee thereof, other than ordinary course audits or reviews of accounting policies and practices or internal controls required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(f) Parent is and since its first date of listing on Nasdaq, has been, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable current listing and governance rules and regulations of Nasdaq.
(g) Parent maintains and at all times since October 7, 2019, has maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and to provide reasonable assurance (i) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the Parent Board, (iii) regarding prevention or timely detection of the unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Parent’s assets that could have a material effect on Parent’s financial statements and (iv) that Parent maintains records in reasonable detail which accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Parent and any of its Subsidiaries. Parent has evaluated the effectiveness of Parent’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, and, to the extent required by applicable Law, presented in any applicable Parent SEC Document that is a report on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q (or any amendment thereto) its conclusions about the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by such report or amendment based on such evaluation. Parent has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to Parent’s auditors and audit committee (and has described in Section 3.7(g) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule) (A) all material weaknesses and all significant deficiencies, if any, in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves Parent, any of its Subsidiaries, Parent’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by the Parent and its Subsidiaries or (C) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing. Parent has not identified, based on its most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of Parent’s internal control over financial reporting.
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(h) Parent maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Parent in the periodic reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods, and that all such information is accumulated and communicated to Parent’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the Certifications.
(i) Section 3.7(i) to the Parent Disclosure Schedule sets forth (x) the Parent Interim Financial Statements and (y) an accurate statement of Parent’s cash and cash equivalents as of the close of business on the Business Day preceding the date of this Agreement, and there has been no material change in the amount thereof from such statement through the date of this Agreement. The cash forecast set forth in Section 3.7(i) to the Parent Disclosure Schedule: (i) has been prepared by Parent in good faith, (ii) is based on assumptions that Parent considers to be reasonable, and (iii) fairly reflects Parent’s reasonably anticipated rate of cash usage for the periods covered therein.
(j) Parent has not been and is not currently a “shell company” as defined under Section 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
3.8. Absence of Changes. Except as set forth in Section 3.8 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, after the date of the Parent Balance Sheet, Parent and its Subsidiaries have conducted its business only in the Ordinary Course of Business (except for the execution and performance of this Agreement and the discussions, negotiations and transactions related thereto) and (a) there has not been any Parent Material Adverse Effect and (b) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has done any of the following:
(a) declared, accrued, set aside or paid any dividend or made any other distribution in respect of any shares of its capital stock or repurchased, redeemed or otherwise reacquired any shares of its capital stock or other securities (except in connection with the payment of the exercise price and/or withholding Taxes incurred upon the exercise, settlement or vesting of any award granted under the Parent Stock Plan);
(b) sold, issued, granted, pledged or otherwise disposed of or encumbered or authorized any of the foregoing with respect to: (A) any capital stock or other security of Parent (except for Parent Common Stock issued upon the valid exercise of outstanding Parent Options); (B) any option, warrant or right to acquire any capital stock or any other security, other than option grants to employees and directors in the Ordinary Course of Business; or (C) any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other security of Parent;
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(c) except as required to give effect to anything in contemplation of the Closing, amended any of its Organizational Documents, or effected or been a party to any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction except, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contemplated Transactions;
(d) formed any Subsidiary or acquired any equity interest or other interest in any other Entity or entered into a joint venture with any other Entity;
(e) (A) lent money to any Person (except for the advance of reasonable business expenses to employees, directors and consultants in the Ordinary Course of Business), (B) incurred or guaranteed any indebtedness for borrowed money, or (C) guaranteed any debt securities of others;
(f) other than as required by applicable Law or the terms of any Parent Benefit Plan as in effect on the date of this Agreement: (A) adopted, terminated, established or entered into any Parent Benefit Plan; (B) caused any Parent Benefit Plan to be amended in any material respect; (C) paid any bonus or distributed any profit-sharing account balances or similar payment to, or increased the amount of the wages, salary, commissions, benefits or other compensation or remuneration payable to, any of its directors, officers or employees; (D) granted or increased any severance, change-of-control, transaction or retention bonus, deferred compensation or similar payments or benefits with respect to any current, former or new employees, directors or consultants or (E) hired, terminated or gave notice of termination (other than for cause) to any (x) officer or (y) employee or other service provider whose annual compensation is or is expected to be more than $100,000 per year;
(g) entered into any collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement with any labor union, or similar labor organization;
(h) entered into any material transaction other than (A) in the Ordinary Course of Business or (B) in connection with the Contemplated Transactions;
(i) acquired any material asset or sold, leased or otherwise irrevocably disposed of any of its assets or properties, or granted any Encumbrance with respect to such assets or properties, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(j) sold, assigned, transferred, licensed, sublicensed or otherwise disposed of any material Parent IP (other than pursuant to non-exclusive licenses in the Ordinary Course of Business);
(k) made, changed or revoked any material Tax election, failed to pay any income or other material Tax as such Tax became due and payable, filed any amendment making any material change to any Tax Return, settled or compromised any income or other material Tax liability, dispute, audit, investigation, proceeding, claim, or assessment, entered into any Tax allocation, sharing, indemnification or other similar agreement or arrangement (including any “closing agreement” described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar Law) with any Governmental Body, but excluding customary commercial contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business the principal subject matter of which is not Taxes), requested or consented to any extension or waiver of any limitation period with respect to any claim or assessment for any income or other material Taxes (other than pursuant to an extension of time to file any Tax Return granted in the Ordinary Course of Business of not more than six months), surrendered any right to claim a material Tax refund, or adopted or changed any material accounting method in respect of Taxes;
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(l) made any expenditures, incurred any Liabilities (other than Tax liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business) or discharged or satisfied any Liabilities, in each case, in amounts that exceed $50,000 individually, or $100,000 in the aggregate, except as reflected in the Parent Interim Financial Statements;
(m) other than as required by Law or GAAP, taken any action to change accounting policies or procedures;
(n) initiated or settled any Legal Proceeding; or
(o) agreed, resolved or committed to do any of the foregoing.
3.9. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. As of the date hereof, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Liability, individually or in the aggregate, of a type required to be recorded or reflected on a balance sheet or disclosed in the footnotes thereto under GAAP except for: (a) Liabilities disclosed, reflected or reserved against in the Parent Balance Sheet; (b) Liabilities that have been incurred by Parent or its Subsidiaries since the date of the Parent Balance Sheet in the Ordinary Course of Business; (c) Liabilities for performance of obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under Parent Contracts; (d) Liabilities incurred in connection with the Contemplated Transactions; (e) Liabilities which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Parent; and (f) Liabilities described in Section 3.9 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.
3.10. Title to Assets. Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries owns, and has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all tangible properties or tangible assets and equipment used or held for use in its business or operations or purported to be owned by it, including: (a) all tangible assets reflected on the Parent Balance Sheet; and (b) all other tangible assets reflected in the books and records of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as being owned by Parent or such Subsidiary. All of such assets are owned or, in the case of leased assets, leased by Parent or its Subsidiaries free and clear of any Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
3.11. Real Property; Leasehold. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries own or ever have owned any real property. Parent has made available to the Company (a) an accurate and complete list of all real properties with respect to which Parent directly or indirectly holds a valid leasehold interest as well as any other real estate that is in the possession of, or occupied or leased by, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and (b) copies of all leases under which any such real property is possessed, occupied or leased (the “Parent Real Estate Leases”), each of which is in full force and effect, with no existing material default thereunder. Parent’s possession, occupancy, lease, use and/or operation of each such leased property conforms to all applicable Laws in all material respects, and Parent has exclusive possession of each such leased property and leasehold interest and has not granted any occupancy rights to tenants or licensees with respect to such leased property or leasehold interest. In addition, each such leased property and leasehold interest is free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances. Parent has not received any written notice from its landlords or any Governmental Body that: (i) relates to violations of building, zoning, safety or fire ordinances or regulations; (ii) claims any defect or deficiency with respect to any of such properties; or (iii) requests the performance of any repairs, alterations or other work to such properties.
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3.12. Intellectual Property.
(a) Section 3.12(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule identifies as of April 30, 2022 each patent and patent application owned by the Parent or Subsidiaries, including, with respect to each registration and application: (i) the name of the applicant/registrant, (ii) the jurisdiction of application/registration, and (iii) the application or registration number. To the Knowledge of Parent, each of the patents and patent applications included in Section 3.12(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule properly identifies by name each and every inventor of the inventions claimed therein as determined in accordance with applicable Laws of the United States. As of the date of this Agreement, no cancellation, interference, opposition, reissue, reexamination or other proceeding of any nature (other than office actions or similar communications issued by any Governmental Body in the ordinary course of prosecution of any pending applications for registration) is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened in writing, in which the scope, validity, enforceability or ownership of any Parent IP is being or has been contested or challenged. To the Knowledge of Parent, each U.S. Patent of Parent IP is valid and enforceable (or expired as indicated in Section 3.12(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule). The status of each pending patent application of Parent is as indicated in Section 3.12(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.
(b) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, Parent or its Subsidiaries exclusively own and are the sole assignee of, or have exclusively licensed all material Parent IP, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances. Each Parent Associate involved in the creation or development of any material Parent IP, pursuant to such Parent Associate’s activities on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, has signed a valid and enforceable written agreement containing an assignment of such Parent Associate’s rights in such Parent IP to Parent or its Subsidiaries. Each Parent Associate who has or has had access to Parent’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ trade secrets or confidential information has signed a valid and enforceable written agreement containing confidentiality provisions protecting the Parent IP, trade secrets and confidential information. Parent has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect and preserve the confidentiality of its trade secrets and confidential information.
(c) To the Knowledge of Parent, no funding, facilities or personnel of any Governmental Body or any university, college, research institute or other educational institution has been used to create Parent IP, except for any such funding or use of facilities or personnel that does not result in such Governmental Body or institution obtaining ownership rights or a license to such Parent IP or the right to receive royalties for the practice of such Parent IP.
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(d) Section 3.12(d) of Parent Disclosure Schedule sets forth each license agreement pursuant to which Parent (i) is granted a license under any material Intellectual Property Right owned by any third party that is used by Parent or its Subsidiaries in its business as currently conducted (each a “Parent In-bound License”) or (ii) grants to any third party a license under any material Parent IP or material Intellectual Property Right licensed to the Parent or its Subsidiaries under a Parent In-bound License (each a “Parent Out-bound License”) (provided, that, Parent In-bound Licenses shall not include, when entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, material transfer agreements, services agreements, clinical trial agreements, agreements with Parent Associates, non-disclosure agreements, commercially available Software-as-a-Service offerings, or off-the-shelf software licenses; and Parent Out-bound Licenses shall not include, when entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, material transfer agreements, clinical trial agreements, services agreements, non-disclosure agreements, or non-exclusive outbound licenses). All Parent In-bound Licenses and Parent Out-bound Licenses are in full force and effect and are valid, enforceable and binding obligations of Parent and, to the Knowledge of Parent, each other party to such Parent In-bound Licenses or Parent Out-bound Licenses. Neither Parent, nor to the Knowledge of Parent, any other party to such Parent In-bound Licenses or Parent Out-bound Licenses, is in material breach under any Parent In-bound Licenses or Parent Out-bound Licenses. Except as set forth in Section 3.12(d) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, none of the terms or conditions of any Parent In-bound License or any Parent Out-bound License requires Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates to maintain, develop or prosecute any Intellectual Property Rights.
(e) To the Knowledge of Parent, (i) the operation of the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property Rights of any other Person and (ii) no other Person is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any Parent IP or any Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to Parent or its Subsidiaries. No Legal Proceeding is pending (or, to the Knowledge of Parent, is threatened in writing) (A) against Parent or its Subsidiaries alleging that the operation of the business of Parent or its Subsidiaries infringes or constitutes the misappropriation or other violation of any Intellectual Property Rights of another Person or (B) by Parent or its Subsidiaries alleging that another Person has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any of the Parent IP or any Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to Parent or its Subsidiaries. Neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries have received any written notice or other written communication alleging that the operation of the business of Parent or its Subsidiaries infringes or constitutes the misappropriation or other violation of any Intellectual Property Right of another Person.
(f) None of Parent IP or, to the Knowledge of Parent, any material Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to Parent or its Subsidiaries is subject to any pending or outstanding injunction, directive, order, judgment or other disposition of dispute that adversely and materially restricts the use, transfer, registration or licensing by Parent or its Subsidiaries of any such Parent IP or material Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to Parent or its Subsidiaries.
(g) To the Knowledge of Parent, Parent and the operation of Parent’s and its Subsidiaries’ business are in substantial compliance with all Laws pertaining to data privacy and data security of Sensitive Data. To the Knowledge of Parent, there have been (i) no losses or thefts of data or security breaches relating to Sensitive Data used in the business of Parent or its Subsidiaries, (ii) no violations of any security policy of Parent regarding any such Sensitive Data used in the business of Parent or its Subsidiaries, and (iii) no unauthorized access, unauthorized use or unintended or improper disclosure of any Sensitive Data used in the business of Parent or its Subsidiaries. Parent has taken commercially reasonable steps and implemented reasonable disaster recovery and security plans and procedures to protect the information technology systems used in, material to or necessary for operation of Parent’s and its Subsidiaries’ business as currently conducted from unauthorized use or access. To the Knowledge of Parent, there have been no material malfunctions or unauthorized intrusions or breaches of the information technology systems used in, material to or necessary for the operation of Parent’s or its Subsidiaries’ business as currently conducted.
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3.13. Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Section 3.13 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule lists the following Parent Contracts in effect as of the date of this Agreement other than any Parent Benefit Plans (each, a “Parent Material Contract” and collectively, the “Parent Material Contracts”):
(i) a material Contract as defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K as promulgated under the Securities Act;
(ii) each Parent Contract relating to any agreement of indemnification or guaranty not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(iii) each Parent Contract containing (A) any covenant limiting the freedom of Parent or its Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business or compete with any Person, (B) any most-favored pricing arrangement or similar term by which any Person is or could become entitled to any benefit, right or privilege that must be at least as favorable to such Person as those offered to any other Person, (C) any exclusivity provision, right of first refusal or right of first negotiation or similar covenant, or (D) any non-solicitation provision;
(iv) each Parent Contract relating to capital expenditures and requiring payments after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms and not cancelable without penalty;
(v) each Parent Contract relating to the disposition or acquisition of material assets or any ownership interest in any Entity;
(vi) each Parent Contract relating to any mortgages, indentures, loans, notes or credit agreements, security agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit or creating any material Encumbrances with respect to any assets of Parent or its Subsidiaries or any loans or debt obligations with officers or directors of Parent;
(vii) each Parent Contract requiring payment by or to Parent after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms relating to: (A) any distribution agreement (identifying any that contain exclusivity provisions); (B) any agreement involving provision of services or products with respect to any pre-clinical or clinical development activities of Parent; (C) any dealer, distributor, joint marketing, alliance, joint venture, cooperation, development or other agreement currently in force under which Parent has continuing obligations to develop or market any product, technology or service, or any agreement pursuant to which Parent has continuing obligations to develop any Intellectual Property Rights that will not be owned, in whole or in part, by Parent; or (D) any Parent Contract with any third party providing any services relating to the manufacture or production of any product, service or technology of Parent or any Parent Contract to sell, distribute or commercialize any products or service of Parent;
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(viii) each Parent Contract with any financial advisor, broker, finder, investment banker or other similar Person providing financial advisory services to Parent in connection with the Contemplated Transactions;
(ix) each Parent Real Estate Lease;
(x) each Parent Contract with any Governmental Body;
(xi) each Parent Out-bound License and Parent In-bound License, and each Parent Contract containing a covenant not to sue or otherwise enforce any Intellectual Property Rights;
(xii) each Parent Contract containing any royalty, dividend or similar arrangement based on the revenues or profits of Parent or its Subsidiaries;
(xiii) each Parent Contract, offer letter, employment agreement, or independent contractor agreement with any employee or service provider whose annual compensation equals or exceeds $50,000 that (A) is not immediately terminable by Parent without notice, severance, or other cost or liability, except as required under applicable Law, or (B) provides for retention payments, change-of-control payments, severance, accelerated vesting, or any similar payment or benefit that may or will become due as a result of the Merger;
(xiv) any other Contract that is not terminable at will (with no penalty or payment or requirement for prior notice) by Parent or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and (A) which involves payment or receipt by Parent or its Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement under any such agreement, Contract or commitment of more than $100,000 in the aggregate, or obligations after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate, or (B) that is material to the business or operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(xv) each Parent Contract providing any option to receive a license or other right, any right of first negotiation, any right of first refusal or any similar right to any Person related to any material Parent IP or material Intellectual Property Right licensed to Parent under a Parent In-bound License; or
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(xvi) each Parent Contract entered into in settlement of any Legal Proceeding or other dispute.
(b) Parent has delivered or made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of all Parent Material Contracts, including all amendments thereto. There are no Parent Material Contracts that are not in written form. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has, nor, to Parent’s Knowledge, as of the date of this Agreement, has any other party to a Parent Material Contract, breached, violated or defaulted under, or received notice that it breached, violated or defaulted under, any of the terms or conditions of any Parent Material Contract in such manner as would permit any other party to cancel or terminate any such Parent Material Contract, or would permit any other party to seek damages which would reasonably be expected to be material to Parent or its business. As to Parent and its Subsidiaries, as of the date of this Agreement, each Parent Material Contract is valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. No Person is renegotiating, or has a right pursuant to the terms of any Parent Material Contract to change, any material amount paid or payable to Parent under any Parent Material Contract or any other material term or provision of any Parent Material Contract, and no Person has indicated in writing to Parent that it desires to renegotiate, modify, not renew or cancel any Parent Material Contract.
3.14. Compliance; Permits.
(a) Parent and its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2018 have been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, including the FDCA, the PHSA and any other similar Law administered or promulgated by the FDA or other Drug Regulatory Agency, except for any noncompliance, either individually or in the aggregate, which would not be material to Parent.
(b) No investigation, claim, suit, proceeding, audit or other action by any Governmental Body is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent or any Subsidiary. There is no agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon Parent or any Subsidiary which (i) has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of Parent or any Subsidiary, any acquisition of material property by Parent or any Subsidiary or the conduct of business by Parent or any Subsidiary as currently conducted, (ii) is reasonably likely to have an adverse effect on Parent’s or any Subsidiary’s ability to comply with or perform any covenant or obligation under this Agreement, or (iii) is reasonably likely to have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with the Contemplated Transactions.
(c) Parent or its Subsidiaries hold all required Governmental Authorizations which are material to the operation of the business of Parent or such Subsidiary as currently conducted (the “Parent Permits”). Section 3.14(c) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule identifies each Parent Permit. Each such Parent Permit is valid and in full force and effect, and Parent is in material compliance with the terms of the Parent Permits. No Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened, which seeks to revoke, limit, suspend, or materially modify any Parent Permit.
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(d) There are no proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent or its Subsidiaries with respect to an alleged material violation by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of the FDCA, the PHSA or any other similar Law administered or promulgated by any Drug Regulatory Agency. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective officers and employees has been or is subject to any enforcement proceedings by the FDA or other Governmental Body and, to the Knowledge of Parent, no such proceedings have been threatened. There has not been and is not now any Form FDA-483 observation, civil, criminal or administrative action, suit, demand, claim, complaint, hearing, investigation, demand letter, warning letter, untitled letter, or proceeding pending or in effect against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers and employees, and Parent and its Subsidiaries have no liability for failure to comply with the FDCA, PHSA, or other similar Laws. There is no act, omission, event, or circumstance of which Parent has Knowledge that would reasonably be expected to give rise to or form the basis for any civil, criminal or administrative action, suit, demand, claim, complaint, hearing, investigation, demand letter, warning letter, untitled letter, proceeding or request for information or any liability (whether actual or contingent) for failure to comply with the FDCA, PHSA or other similar Laws.
(e) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries holds all required Governmental Authorizations issuable by any Drug Regulatory Agency necessary or material to the conduct of the business of Parent or such Subsidiary as currently conducted (collectively, the “Parent Regulatory Permits”) and no such Parent Regulatory Permit has been (i) revoked, withdrawn, suspended, cancelled or terminated or (ii) modified in any adverse manner. There is no basis for believing that such Parent Regulatory Permits will not be renewable upon expiration. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with the Parent Regulatory Permits and have not received any written notice or other written communication or, to the Knowledge of Parent, any other communication from any Drug Regulatory Agency regarding (A) any material violation of or failure to comply materially with any term or requirement of any Parent Regulatory Permit or (B) any revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or material modification of any Parent Regulatory Permit. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with the ICH E9 Guidance for Industry: Statistical Principles for Clinical Trials in the management of the clinical data that have been presented to the Company. To the Knowledge of Parent, there are no facts that would be reasonably likely to result in any warning, untitled or notice of violation letter or Form FDA-483 from the FDA.
(f) All clinical, pre-clinical and other studies and tests conducted by or on behalf of, or sponsored by, Parent or its Subsidiaries, or in which Parent or its Subsidiaries or their respective current products or product candidates have participated, were and, if still pending, are being conducted in all material respects in accordance with standard medical and scientific research procedures and in compliance in all material respects with the applicable regulations of any applicable Drug Regulatory Agency and other applicable Law, including the GCP regulations under 21 C.F.R. Parts 50, 54, 56 and 312 and the GLP regulations under 21 C.F.R. Part 58. No preclinical study or clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has been terminated or suspended prior to completion for safety or noncompliance reasons. Since January 1, 2018, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notices, correspondence, or other communications from any Drug Regulatory Agency requiring, or to the Knowledge of Parent, threatening to initiate, the termination or suspension of any clinical studies conducted by or on behalf of, or sponsored by, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or in which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective current products or product candidates have participated.
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(g) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened investigation in respect of their respective businesses or products or product candidates pursuant to the FDA’s “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy set forth in 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991) and any amendments thereto. To the Knowledge of Parent, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has committed any acts, made any statement, or has not failed to make any statement, in each case in respect of its business or products that would violate the FDA’s “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy, and any amendments thereto.
(h) Neither Parent, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or, to the Knowledge of Parent, agents has been, is, or is in anticipation of being (based on a conviction by the courts or a finding of fault by a regulatory authority): (a) debarred pursuant to the Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1992 (21 U.S.C. § 335a), as amended from time to time; (b) disqualified from participating in clinical trials pursuant to 21 C.F.R. § 312.70, as amended from time to time; (c) disqualified as a testing facility under 21 C.F.R. Part 58, Subpart K, as amended from time to time; (d) excluded, debarred or suspended from or otherwise ineligible to participate in a “Federal Health Care Program” as that term is defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(f), including under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7 or relevant regulations in 42 C.F.R. Part 1001; (e) assessed or threatened with assessment of civil money penalties pursuant to 42 C.F.R. Part 1003; or (f) included on the HHS/OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities, the General Services Administration’s System for Award Management, or the FDA Debarment List or the FDA Disqualified/Restricted List. Neither Parent, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or, to the Knowledge of Parent, agents has engaged in any activities that are prohibited, or are cause for civil penalties, or grounds for mandatory or permissive exclusion, debarment, or suspension pursuant to any of these authorities. Parent and its Subsidiaries are not using, nor have they ever used, in any capacity any Person that has ever been, or to the Knowledge of Parent, is the subject of a proceeding that could lead to the Persons becoming debarred, excluded, disqualified, restricted or suspended pursuant to any of these authorities.
(i) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has complied with all Laws relating to patient, medical or individual health information, including HIPAA, including the standards for the privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information at 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164, Subparts A and E, the standards for the protection of Electronic Protected Health Information set forth at 45 C.F.R. Part 160 and 45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart A and Subpart C, the standards for transactions and code sets used in electronic transactions at 45 C.F.R. Part 160, Subpart A and Part 162, and the standards for Breach Notification for Unsecured Protected Health Information at 45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart D, all as amended from time to time. Parent or its Subsidiaries have entered into, where required, and are in compliance in all material respects with the terms of all Business Associate Agreements to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise bound. Parent has created and maintained written policies and procedures to protect the privacy of all Protected Health Information, has provided training to all employees and agents as required under HIPAA, and has implemented security procedures, including physical, technical and administrative safeguards, to protect all personal information and Protected Health Information stored or transmitted in electronic form. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice from the Office for Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or any other Governmental Body of any allegation regarding its failure to comply with HIPAA or any other state law or regulation applicable to the protection of individually identifiable health information or personally identifiable information. No successful Security Incident, Breach of Unsecured Protected Health Information, unpermitted disclosure of Personal Health Information or breach of personally identifiable information under applicable Laws has occurred with respect to information maintained or transmitted to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or an agent or third party, including any subject to a Business Associate Agreement with Parent or such Subsidiary. Parent or its Subsidiaries is currently submitting, receiving and handling or is capable of submitting receiving and handling transactions in accordance with the Transactions and Code Sets Rule. All capitalized terms in this Section 3.14(i) not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth under HIPAA.
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3.15. Legal Proceedings; Orders.
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, there is no material pending Legal Proceeding and, to the Knowledge of Parent, no Person has threatened in writing to commence any Legal Proceeding: (i) that involves (A) Parent, (B) any of its Subsidiaries, (C) any Parent Associate (in his or her capacity as such) or (D) any of the material assets owned or used by Parent or its Subsidiaries; or (ii) that challenges, or that would have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.15(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, since January 1, 2018 through the date of this Agreement, no Legal Proceeding has been pending against Parent that resulted in material liability to Parent.
(c) There is no order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the material assets owned or used by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, is subject. To the Knowledge of Parent, no officer of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree that prohibits such officer or employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity or practice relating to the business of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or to any material assets owned or used by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
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3.16. Tax Matters.
(a) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have timely filed all material Tax Returns that were required to be filed by or with respect to it under applicable Law. All such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all material respects and have been prepared in compliance with all applicable Law. No claim has ever been made by any Governmental Body in any jurisdiction where Parent or any of its Subsidiaries does not file a particular Tax Return or pay a particular Tax that Parent or such Subsidiary is required to file a Tax Return or pay a Tax in that jurisdiction.
(b) All material amounts of Taxes due and owing by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been fully and timely paid. The unpaid Taxes of Parent and its Subsidiaries did not, as of the date of the Parent Balance Sheet, materially exceed the reserve for Tax liability (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax items) set forth on the face of the Parent Balance Sheet. Since the Parent Balance Sheet Date, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any material Liability for Taxes outside the Ordinary Course of Business.
(c) All Taxes that Parent is or was required by Law to withhold or collect have been duly and timely withheld or collected in all material respects on behalf of its respective employees, independent contractors, stockholders, lenders, customers or other third parties and have been timely paid to the proper Governmental Body or other Person or properly set aside in accounts for this purpose.
(d) There are no Encumbrances for material Taxes (other than Taxes not yet due and payable) upon any of the assets of Parent.
(e) No deficiencies for a material amount of Taxes with respect to Parent have been claimed, proposed or assessed by any Governmental Body in writing. There are no pending or ongoing and, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened audits, assessments or other actions for or relating to any liability in respect of a material amount of Taxes of Parent. Neither Parent nor any of its predecessors has waived any statute of limitations or agreed to any extension of time with respect to any income or other material Tax assessment or deficiency.
(f) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(g) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax allocation agreement, Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnity agreement, or similar agreement or arrangement, other than customary commercial contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business the principal subject matter of which is not Taxes.
(h) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include or accelerate any item of income in, or exclude or defer any item of deduction from, taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any: (i) change in method of accounting for Tax purposes for a Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) use of an improper method of accounting for a Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (iv) intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law); (v) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date; (vi) prepaid amount, advance payment or deferred revenue received or accrued on or prior to the Closing Date; (vii) application of Section 367(d) of the Code to any transfer of intangible property on or prior to the Closing Date; (viii) application of Sections 951 or 951A of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) to any income received or accrued on or prior to the Closing Date; or (ix) election under Section 108(i) of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law). Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any unpaid deferred employment Taxes under the CARES Act, has taken, claimed, or applied for an employee retention tax credit, or taken out any loan, received any loan assistance or received any other financial assistance, or requested any of the foregoing, in each case under the CARES Act, including pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Parent has not made any election under Section 965(h) of the Code.
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(i) Parent has no Liability for any material Taxes of any Person (other than Parent and any of its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract or otherwise.
(j) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has distributed stock of another Person, or had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code or Section 361 of the Code (or any similar provisions of state, local or foreign Law).
(k) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in or been a party to a transaction that, as of the date of this Agreement, constitutes a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Section 6707A(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b).
(l) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action (or agreed to take any action) or become aware of any fact that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.
(m) Section 3.16(m) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule sets forth the entity classification of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has made an election or taken any other action to change its federal and state income tax classification from such classification.
For purposes of this Section 3.16, each reference to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to include any Person that was liquidated into, merged with, or is otherwise a predecessor to, Parent.
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3.17. Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans.
(a) Section 3.17(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule is a list of all material Parent Benefit Plans (except for (A) any individual stock purchase, stock option and other equity compensation agreements which do not deviate from the representative forms of such agreements made available to the Company, and (B) employment agreements and offer letters establishing at-will employment without obligating Parent to make any payment or provide any benefit upon termination of employment other than through a plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement listed on Section 3.17(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule). “Parent Benefit Plan” means each (i) “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and (ii) other pension, retirement, deferred compensation, excess benefit, profit sharing, bonus, commission, equity or equity-based incentive, phantom equity, employment, consulting, severance, change-of-control, retention, health, life, disability, group insurance, paid time off, holiday, welfare and fringe benefit plan, program, agreement, contract, or arrangement (whether written or unwritten, qualified or nonqualified, funded or unfunded and including any that have been frozen), in each case, sponsored, maintained, administered, contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or Parent ERISA Affiliates for the benefit of any current or former employee, director, officer or independent contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or under which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has any actual or contingent liability (including, without limitation, as to the result of it being treated as a single employer under Code Section 414 with any other person).
(b) As applicable with respect to each material Parent Benefit Plan, Parent has made available to the Company true and complete copies of (i) each material Parent Benefit Plan, including all amendments thereto, and in the case of an unwritten material Parent Benefit Plan, a written description thereof, (ii) all current trust documents, investment management contracts, custodial agreements, administrative services agreements and insurance and annuity contracts relating thereto, (iii) the current summary plan description and each summary of material modifications thereto, (iv) the most recently filed annual reports with any Governmental Body (e.g., Form 5500 and all schedules thereto), (v) the most recent IRS determination, opinion or advisory letter, (vi) the most recent summary annual reports, nondiscrimination testing reports, actuarial reports, financial statements and trustee reports, and (vii) all notices and filings from the IRS or Department of Labor or other Governmental Body concerning audits, investigations, plan corrections or “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
(c) Each material Parent Benefit Plan has been maintained, operated and administered in compliance in all material respects with its terms and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other Laws. Parent and each Parent ERISA Affiliate have complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the ACA, and neither Parent nor any Parent ERISA Affiliate have received, or reasonably expect to receive, any penalty notice with respect to the ACA.
(d) The Parent Benefit Plans which are “employee pension benefit plans” within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA and which are intended to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code have received determination or opinion letters from the IRS on which they may currently rely to the effect that such plans are qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the related trusts are exempt from federal income Taxes under Section 501(a) of the Code, respectively, and, to the Knowledge of Parent, nothing has occurred that would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the qualification of such Parent Benefit Plan or the tax exempt status of the related trust.
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(e) In the last six years, neither Parent, any of its Subsidiaries nor any Parent ERISA Affiliate has maintained, established, participated in, contributed to, has been required to contribute to, or has had any actual or contingent liability with respect to, (i) any “employee pension benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) any “multiemployer plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA), (iii) any “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 413 of the Code) or (iv) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA).
(f) There are no pending audits or investigations by any Governmental Body involving any Parent Benefit Plan, and no pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened claims (except for routine individual claims for benefits payable in the normal operation of the Parent Benefit Plans), suits or proceedings involving any Parent Benefit Plan, or, to the Knowledge of Parent, any fiduciary thereof or service provider thereto, in any case except as would not be reasonably expected to result in material liability to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. All contributions and premium payments required to have been made under any of the Parent Benefit Plans or by applicable Law (without regard to any waivers granted under Section 412 of the Code), have been timely made and neither Parent nor any Parent ERISA Affiliate has any material liability for any unpaid contributions with respect to any Parent Benefit Plan. Each Parent Benefit Plan may be terminated in accordance with its terms and applicable Law without the imposition of material liability (including any contingent liability) on Parent.
(g) Neither Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent ERISA Affiliates, nor to the Knowledge of Parent, any fiduciary, trustee or administrator of any Parent Benefit Plan, has engaged in, or in connection with the Contemplated Transactions will engage in, any transaction with respect to any Parent Benefit Plan which would subject any such Parent Benefit Plan, Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or Parent ERISA Affiliates to a material Tax, material penalty or material liability for a “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
(h) No Parent Benefit Plan provides death, medical, dental, vision, life insurance or other welfare benefits beyond termination of service or retirement other than coverage mandated by Law, and neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent ERISA Affiliates has made a written representation promising the same.
(i) Except as set forth in Section 3.17(i) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution of this Agreement, nor the performance of the Contemplated Transactions (either alone or when combined with the occurrence of any other event, including without limitation, a termination of employment) will:
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(i) result in any payment becoming due to any current or former employee, director, officer, or independent contractor of Parent or any Subsidiary thereof pursuant to any Parent Benefit Plan or otherwise,
(ii) increase any amount of compensation or benefits otherwise payable under any Parent Benefit Plan or otherwise, (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, funding or vesting of any benefits under any Parent Benefit Plan or otherwise, (iv) require any contribution or payment to fund any obligation under any Parent Benefit Plan or otherwise or (v) limit the right to merge, amend or terminate any Parent Benefit Plan.
(j) Except as set forth in Section 3.17(j) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution of, nor the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions (either alone or when combined with the occurrence of any other event, including without limitation, a termination of employment) will result in the receipt or retention by any person who is a “disqualified individual” (within the meaning of Code Section 280G) with respect to Parent and its Subsidiaries of any payment or benefit that is or could be characterized as a “parachute payment” (within the meaning of Code Section 280G), determined without regard to the application of Code Section 280G(b)(5).
(k) Each Parent Benefit Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) has been operated and administered in compliance with, is and has been in documentary compliance with, Section 409A of the Code, in each case, in all material respects.
(l) No current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has any “gross up” agreements with the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or other assurance of reimbursement by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for any Taxes imposed under Code Section 409A or Code Section 4999.
(m) Each Parent Benefit Plan maintained outside of the United States (each, a “Parent Foreign Plan”) has obtained from the Governmental Body having jurisdiction with respect to such plan any required determinations that such plan is in compliance with the Laws of any such Governmental Body.
(n) To the extent required by applicable law, the assets of each of the Parent Foreign Plans that is similar to an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (whether or not subject to ERISA)) or that otherwise provides retirement, medical or life insurance benefits following retirement or other termination of service or employment are at least equal to the liabilities of such plans.
(o) Parent has provided to the Company a true and correct list, as of the date of this Agreement, containing the names of all current full-time, part-time or temporary employees and independent contractors (and indication as such), and, as applicable: (i) the annual dollar amount of all cash compensation in the form of wages, salary, fees, commissions, or director’s fees payable to each Person; (ii) dates of employment or service; (iii) title and, with respect to independent contractors, a current written description of such Person’s contracting services; (iv) visa status, if applicable; and (v) with respect to employees, (A) a designation of whether they are classified as exempt or non-exempt for purposes of FLSA and any similar state, federal or Foreign law and (B) whether such an employee is on leave, and if so, the nature of such leave and expected return date.
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(p) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has ever been a party to, bound by, or has a duty to bargain under, any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor union or similar labor organization representing any of its employees, and there is no labor union or similar labor organization representing or, to the Knowledge of Parent, purporting to represent or seeking to represent any employees of Parent or its Subsidiaries, including through the filing of a petition for representation election. There is not and has not been in the past five years, nor is there or has there been in the past five years any threat of, any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, union election petition, demand for recognition, or any similar activity or dispute, or, to the Knowledge of Parent, any union organizing activity, against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
(q) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries is, and since January 1, 2018 has been, in material compliance with all applicable Laws respecting labor, employment, employment practices, and terms and conditions of employment, including worker classification, discrimination, harassment and retaliation, equal employment opportunities, fair employment practices, meal and rest periods, immigration, employee safety and health, payment of wages (including overtime wages), unemployment and workers’ compensation, leaves of absence, and hours of work. Except as would not be reasonably likely to result in a material liability to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, with respect to employees of Parent and its Subsidiaries, each of Parent and its Subsidiaries, since January 1, 2018, has withheld and reported all amounts required by Law to be withheld and reported with respect to wages, salaries and other payments, benefits, or compensation to employees. There are no actions, suits, claims, charges, lawsuits, investigations, audits or administrative matters pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened or reasonably anticipated against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries relating to any employee, applicant for employment, or consultant.
(r) Within the preceding five years, Parent has not implemented any “plant closing” or “mass layoff” of employees that would reasonably be expected to require notification under the WARN Act or any similar state or local Law, no such “plant closing” or “mass layoff” will be implemented before the Closing Date without advance notification to and approval of the Company, and there has been no “employment loss” as defined by the WARN Act within the 90 days prior to the date of this Agreement.
(s) Parent is and has at all relevant times been in material compliance with (i) COVID-19-related Laws, standards, regulations, orders and guidance (including without limitation relating to business reopening), including those issued and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and any other Governmental Body; and (ii) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (including with respect to eligibility for tax credits under such Act) and any other applicable COVID-19-related leave Law, whether state, local or otherwise.
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3.18. Environmental Matters. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance and since January 1, 2018 have complied with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession by Parent of all permits and other Governmental Authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws and compliance with the terms and conditions thereof, except for any failure to be in such compliance that, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to be material to Parent or its business. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received since January 1, 2018 (or prior to that time, which is pending and unresolved), any written notice or other communication (in writing or otherwise), whether from a Governmental Body or other Person, that alleges that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with or has liability pursuant to any Environmental Law and, to the Knowledge of Parent, there are no circumstances that would reasonably be expected to prevent or interfere with Parent’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ compliance in any material respects with any Environmental Law, except where such failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to be material to Parent or its business. No current or (during the time a prior property was leased or controlled by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) prior property leased or controlled by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has had a release of or exposure to Hazardous Materials in material violation of or as would reasonably be expected to result in any material liability of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Environmental Law. No consent, approval or Governmental Authorization of or registration or filing with any Governmental Body is required by Environmental Laws in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions by Parent or Merger Subs. Prior to the date hereof, Parent has provided or otherwise made available to the Company true and correct copies of all material environmental reports, assessments, studies and audits in the possession or control of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any property leased or controlled by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any business operated by it.
3.19. Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, since the date of Parent’s last proxy statement filed in April 2021 with the SEC, no event has occurred that would be required to be reported by Parent pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Section 3.19 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule identifies each Person who is (or who may be deemed to be) an Affiliate of Parent as of the date of this Agreement.
3.20. Insurance. Parent has delivered or made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of all material insurance policies and all material self-insurance programs and arrangements relating to the business, assets, liabilities and operations of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries. Each of such insurance policies is in full force and effect and Parent and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with the terms thereof. Other than customary end of policy notifications from insurance carriers, since January 1, 2018, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice or other communication regarding any actual or possible: (a) cancellation or invalidation of any insurance policy; or (b) refusal or denial of any coverage, reservation of rights or rejection of any material claim under any insurance policy. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has provided timely written notice to the appropriate insurance carrier(s) of each Legal Proceeding that is currently pending against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for which Parent or such Subsidiary has insurance coverage, and no such carrier has issued a denial of coverage or a reservation of rights with respect to any such Legal Proceeding, or informed Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of its intent to do so.
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3.21. No Financial Advisors. No broker, finder or investment banker, other than Wedbush Securities Inc., is entitled to any brokerage fee, finder’s fee, opinion fee, success fee, transaction fee or other fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.22. Anti-Bribery. None of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or, to Parent’s Knowledge, agents or any other Person acting on its behalf has directly or indirectly made any bribes, rebates, payoffs, influence payments, kickbacks, illegal payments, illegal political contributions, or other payments, in the form of cash, gifts, or otherwise, or taken any other action, in violation of Anti-Bribery Laws. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has been the subject of any investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Body with respect to potential violations of Anti-Bribery Laws.
3.23. Valid Issuance. The Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock to be issued in the Merger will, when issued in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. To the Knowledge of Parent as of the date of this Agreement, no “bad actor” disqualifying event described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i)–(viii) of the Securities Act (a “Disqualifying Event”) is applicable to Parent or, to Parent’s Knowledge, any Parent Covered Person, except for a Disqualifying Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii)–(iv) or (d)(3) of the Securities Act is applicable.
3.24. Disclaimer of Other Representations or Warranties.
(a) Except as previously set forth in this Section 3 or in any certificate delivered by Parent or Merger Subs to the Company pursuant to this Agreement, neither Parent nor any Merger Sub makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity, with respect to it or any of its assets, liabilities or operations, and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed.
(b) Each of Parent, First Merger Sub and Second Merger Sub acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2 or in any certificate delivered by the Company to Parent or the Merger Subs pursuant to this Agreement, none of the Company or any of their respective Representatives is relying on any other representation or warranty of the Company or any other Person made outside of Section 2 or such certificates, including regarding the accuracy or completeness of any such other representations or warranties or the omission of any material information, whether express or implied, in each case, with respect to the Contemplated Transactions.
Section 4. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
4.1. Stockholder Notice. Promptly following receipt of the Required Company Stockholder Vote, the Company shall prepare and mail a notice (the “Stockholder Notice”) to every stockholder of the Company that did not execute the Stockholder Written Consent. The Stockholder Notice shall (i) be a statement to the effect that the Company Board determined that the Merger is advisable in accordance with Section 251(b) of the DGCL and in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company and approved and adopted this Agreement, the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions, (ii) provide the stockholders of the Company to whom it is sent with notice of the actions taken in the Stockholder Written Consent, including the adoption and approval of this Agreement, the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions in accordance with Section 228(e) of the DGCL and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and (iii) include a description of the appraisal rights of the Company’s stockholders available under the DGCL, along with such other information as is required thereunder and pursuant to applicable Law.
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4.2. Parent Stockholders’ Meeting.
(a) At Parent’s 2022 annual stockholders meeting (the “Parent Stockholders’ Meeting”), Parent shall include the following proposals for approval by Parent’s stockholders, in addition to all other matters and proposals required by the SEC and the Exchange Act and all regulations promulgated thereunder:
(i) the Preferred Stock Conversion Proposal;
(ii) a reverse stock split of all outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock; and
(iii) the ratification of the Company Board Designees.
The matters contemplated by this Section 4.2(a) are referred to as the “Parent Stockholder Matters”.
(b) Parent shall call and hold the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting as soon as practicable after the date hereof, and in any event within 84 days of the Closing Date; provided, however, that the Parent shall be permitted to adjourn, delay or postpone the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting beyond 84 days of the Closing Date in accordance with applicable law only if and to the extent the SEC has not completed its review of the Proxy Statement in time to hold the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting on such date. If the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters is not obtained at the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting or if on a date preceding the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting, Parent reasonably believes that (i) it will not receive proxies sufficient to obtain the Required Parent Stockholder Vote, whether or not quorum would be present or (ii) it will not have sufficient shares of Parent Common Stock represented (whether in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting, then, in each case, Parent will use its reasonable best efforts to adjourn the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting one or more times to a date or dates no more than 30 days after the scheduled date for such meeting, and to obtain such approvals at such time. If the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting is not so adjourned, and/or if the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters is not then obtained, Parent will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain such approvals as soon as practicable thereafter, and in any event to obtain such approvals at the next occurring annual meeting of the stockholders of Parent or, if such annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within six months after the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting, a special meeting of the stockholders of Parent to be held within six months after the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting. Parent will hold an annual meeting or special meeting of its stockholders, at which a vote of the stockholders of Parent to approve the Parent Stockholder Matters will be solicited and taken, at least once every six months until Parent obtains approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters.
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(c) Parent agrees that: (i) the Parent Board shall recommend that the holders of Parent Common Stock vote to approve the Parent Stockholder Matters and shall use its reasonable best efforts and take all necessary action (which shall include hiring a proxy solicitation firm to solicit proxies for the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting), to solicit and obtain such approval within the time frames set forth in Section 4.2(b), and (ii) the Proxy Statement shall include a statement to the effect that the Parent Board recommends that the Parent’s stockholders vote to approve the Parent Stockholder Matters. The Company and Parent acknowledge that, under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules, the Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and the Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares will not be entitled to vote on the Preferred Stock Conversion Proposal.
4.3. Reservation of Parent Common Stock; Issuance of Shares of Parent Common Stock. For as long as any Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares remain outstanding, Parent shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Parent Common Stock or shares of Parent Common Stock held in treasury by Parent, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares, the full number of shares of Parent Common Stock then issuable upon the conversion of all Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares then outstanding. All shares of Parent Common Stock delivered upon conversion of the Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares shall be newly issued shares or shares held in treasury by Parent, shall have been duly authorized and validly issued and shall be fully paid and nonassessable, and shall be free from preemptive rights and free of any Encumbrance.
4.4. Employee Benefits.
(a) For purposes of vesting, eligibility to participate, and level of benefits (other than for purposes of determining awards under an equity incentive plan or accrued benefits under any defined benefit pension plan) under the benefit plans, programs, contracts or arrangements of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including, following the Closing, the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries) (the “Post-Closing Plans”), Parent shall cause each employee who remains employed by Parent or the Surviving Entity, or any of their respective Subsidiaries following the Closing (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will be all employees of Parent), (together, the “Continuing Employees”) to be credited with his or her years of service with Parent, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries and their respective predecessors; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to the extent that its application would result in a duplication of benefits. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for purposes of each Post-Closing Plan providing medical, dental, pharmaceutical and/or vision benefits to a Continuing Employee, Parent shall cause all pre-existing condition exclusions and actively-at-work requirements of such Post-Closing Plan to be waived for such Continuing Employee and his or her covered dependents to the extent and unless such conditions would have been waived or satisfied under the employee benefit plan whose coverage is being replaced under the Post-Closing Plan, and Parent shall cause any eligible expenses incurred by a Continuing Employee and his or her covered dependents during the portion of such plan year in which coverage is replaced with coverage under a Post-Closing Plan to be taken into account under such Post-Closing Plan with respect to the plan year in which participation in such Post-Closing Plan begins for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to such Continuing Employee and his or her covered dependents for such plan year as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such Post-Closing Plan. For employees of Parent who are not Continuing Employees and who are entitled to severance under their applicable employment agreements, Parent shall accrue, prior to the Closing, for medical, dental, pharmaceutical and/or vision benefits for such employees, if the provider of such benefits is under an individual plan.
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(b) [Reserved.]
(c) Except as provided below, Parent covenants and agrees to (i) retain, and not terminate, all Continuing Employees at their salary level as in effect as of immediately prior to the Second Effective Time through June 1, 2023 and, (ii) at all times until September 30, 2023, honor all severance commitments of Parent in effect as of immediately prior to the Second Effective Time that pertain to the Continuing Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent further covenants and agrees as follows: (A) the employment of all Group 1 Employees shall be terminated as of the Closing, with Parent to pay such Group 1 Employees severance as contemplated by Law; (B) the employment of all Group 2 Employees shall be terminated on the date that is three months following the Closing Date, with Parent to pay such Group 2 Employees severance for a termination by Parent without “cause”, as contemplated by employment Contracts between Parent and such Group 2 Employees in effect as of immediately prior to the Second Effective Time; and (C) the employment of all Group 3 Employees shall be terminated as of the six month anniversary of the date of the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting, with Parent to pay such Group 3 Employees severance for a termination by Parent without “cause”, as contemplated by employment Contracts between Parent and such Group 3 Employees in effect as of immediately prior to the Second Effective Time.
(d) The provisions of this Section 4.4 are for the sole benefit of Parent and the Company and no provision of this Agreement shall (i) create any third-party beneficiary or other rights in any Person, including rights in respect of any benefits that may be provided, directly or indirectly, under any Company Benefit Plan, Parent Benefit Plan or Post-Closing Plan or rights to continued employment or service with the Company or the Parent (or any Subsidiary thereof), (ii) be construed as an amendment, waiver or creation of or limitation on the ability to terminate any Company Benefit Plan, Parent Benefit Plan or Post-Closing Plan, or (iii) limit the ability of the Parent to terminate the employment of any Continuing Employee.
4.5. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
(a) From the First Effective Time through the sixth anniversary of the date on which the First Effective Time occurs, each of Parent and the Surviving Entity shall indemnify and hold harmless each Person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date hereof, or who becomes prior to the First Effective Time, a director or officer of Parent or the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries, respectively (the “D&O Indemnified Parties”), against all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, judgments, fines and reasonable fees, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements (collectively, “Costs”), incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to the fact that the D&O Indemnified Party is or was a director or officer of Parent or of the Company, or any Subsidiary thereof, asserted or claimed prior to the First Effective Time, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law. Each D&O Indemnified Party will be entitled to advancement of expenses incurred in the defense of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation from each of Parent and the Surviving Entity, jointly and severally, upon receipt by Parent or the Surviving Entity from the D&O Indemnified Party of a request therefor; provided that any such Person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to Parent, to the extent then required by the DGCL or DLLCA, as applicable, to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such Person is not entitled to indemnification.
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(b) The provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation of present and former directors and officers of Parent that are presently set forth in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent shall not be amended, modified or repealed for a period of six years from the First Effective Time in a manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of individuals who, at or prior to the First Effective Time, were officers or directors of Parent, unless such modification is required by applicable Law. The certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Entity shall contain, and Parent shall cause the certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Entity to so contain, provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation of present and former directors and officers as those presently set forth in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent.
(c) From and after the First Effective Time, (i) the Surviving Entity shall fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of the Company to its D&O Indemnified Parties as of immediately prior to the Closing pursuant to any indemnification provisions under the Company’s Organizational Documents and pursuant to any indemnification agreements between the Company and such D&O Indemnified Parties, with respect to claims arising out of matters occurring at or prior to the First Effective Time and (ii) Parent shall fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of Parent to its D&O Indemnified Parties as of immediately prior to the Closing pursuant to any indemnification provisions under Parent’s Organizational Documents and pursuant to any indemnification agreements between Parent and such D&O Indemnified Parties, with respect to claims arising out of matters occurring at or prior to the First Effective Time.
(d) From and after the First Effective Time, Parent shall continue to maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies, with an effective date as of the Closing Date, on commercially available terms and conditions and with coverage limits customary for U.S. public companies similarly situated to Parent. From and after the First Effective Time, Parent shall pay all expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, that are incurred by the Persons referred to in this Section 4.5 in connection with their successful enforcement of the rights provided to such Persons in this Section 4.5.
(e) The provisions of this Section 4.5 are intended to be in addition to the rights otherwise available to the current and former officers and directors of Parent and the Company by Law, charter, statute, bylaw or agreement, and shall operate for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Parties, their heirs and their representatives.
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(f) In the event Parent or the Surviving Entity or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent or the Surviving Entity, as the case may be, shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 4.5. Parent shall cause the Surviving Entity to perform all of the obligations of the Surviving Entity under this Section 4.5.
4.6. Additional Agreements. The Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to cause to be taken all actions necessary to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party to this Agreement: (a) shall make all filings and other submissions (if any) and give all notices (if any) required to be made and given by such Party in connection with the Contemplated Transactions; (b) shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain each Consent (if any) reasonably required to be obtained (pursuant to any applicable Law or Contract, or otherwise) by such Party in connection with the Contemplated Transactions or for such Contract to remain in full force and effect; (c) shall use reasonable best efforts to lift any injunction prohibiting, or any other legal bar to, the Contemplated Transactions; and (d) shall use reasonable best efforts to satisfy the conditions precedent to the consummation of this Agreement.
4.7. Proxy Statement.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the Closing Date (but not later than May 26, 2022 or such later date as may be unanimously agreed to by the Parent Board), Parent shall file with the SEC a proxy statement relating to the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting to be held in connection with the Parent Stockholder Matters (together with any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement”). Parent shall deliver to the Company a draft of the Proxy Statement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company prior to the Closing Date. Parent shall (i) cause the Proxy Statement to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and (ii) respond promptly to any comments or requests of the SEC or its staff related to the Proxy Statement.
(b) Parent covenants and agrees that the Proxy Statement (and the letters to stockholders, notice of meeting and form of proxy included therewith) will (i) comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of applicable U.S. federal securities Laws and the DGCL, and (ii) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Parent’s stockholders as promptly as practicable after the Proxy Statement has been filed with the SEC and either (i) the SEC has indicated that it does not intend to review the Proxy Statement or that its review of the Proxy Statement has been completed or (ii) at least ten (10) days shall have passed since the Proxy Statement was filed with the SEC without receiving any correspondence from the SEC commenting upon, or indicating that it intends to review, the Proxy Statement, all in compliance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the DGCL. If Parent, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub or the Surviving Entity become aware of any event or information that, pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, should be disclosed in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, as the case may be, then such Party, as the case may be, shall promptly inform the other Parties thereof and shall cooperate with such other Parties in Parent filing such amendment or supplement with the SEC and, if appropriate, in mailing such amendment or supplement to the Parent stockholders.
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4.8. Listing. Parent shall prepare and submit to Nasdaq a notification form for the listing of the shares of Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and the Parent Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares to be issued in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such shares to be approved for listing (subject to official notice of issuance) (the “Nasdaq Listing Application”) and to cause such Nasdaq Listing Application to be conditionally approved prior to the First Effective Time. The Parties will use reasonable best efforts to coordinate with respect to compliance with Nasdaq rules and regulations. Each Party will promptly inform the other Party of all verbal or written communications between Nasdaq and such Party or its representatives. Parent shall pay all Nasdaq fees associated with the Nasdaq Listing Application. The Company will cooperate with Parent as reasonably requested by Parent with respect to the Nasdaq Listing Application and promptly furnish to Parent all information concerning the Company and its stockholders that may be required or reasonably requested in connection with any action contemplated by this Section 4.8.
4.9. Tax Matters.
(a) For United States federal income Tax purposes, (i) the Parties intend that the First Merger and the Second Merger, taken together, constitute an integrated transaction described in Rev. Rul. 2001-46, 2001-2 C.B. 321 that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code (the “Intended Tax Treatment”), and (ii) this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a), to which the Parent, Merger Subs and the Company are parties under Section 368(b) of the Code. The Parties shall treat and shall not take any tax reporting position (including during the course of any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes) inconsistent with the treatment of the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code for U.S. federal, state and other relevant Tax purposes, unless otherwise required pursuant to a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (and any other similar applicable state and other relevant Tax law).
(b) The Parties shall (and shall cause their Affiliates to) use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify, and will not take any action or cause any action to be taken, or fail to take or cause any action to be taken, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying, for the Intended Tax Treatment.
4.10. Legends. Parent shall be entitled to place appropriate legends, including the legend noted in Section 4.18, on the book entries and/or certificates evidencing any shares of Parent Common Stock or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock to be received in the Merger by equity holders of the Company and to issue appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for Parent Common Stock and Parent Convertible Preferred Stock.
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4.11. Directors and Officers. The Parties shall take all necessary action so that:
(a) immediately after the Second Effective Time, (i) two of the directors of the Parent Board serving on the Parent Board prior to the Second Effective Time shall resign from the Parent Board and the Parent Board is comprised of eight members, with four such members being current board members of Parent and four such members being the designees of the Company listed in Exhibit D under the heading “Board Designees - Company” (such designees of the Company, the “Company Board Designees”) and (ii) the Persons listed in Exhibit D under the heading “Officers” are elected or appointed, as applicable, to the positions of officers of Parent and the Surviving Entity, as set forth therein, to serve in such positions effective as of the Second Effective Time until successors are duly appointed and qualified in accordance with applicable Law; and
(b) at or immediately after the conclusion of the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting, (i) the individual designated as “Chief Executive Officer” in Exhibit D under the heading “Officers” tenders his resignation and the individual designated as “President” in Exhibit D under the heading “Officers” is appointed as the “Chief Executive Officer” of the Parent, and (ii) the Parent Board is comprised of nine directors, with the additional ninth director to be appointed to the Parent Board by the directors then serving on the Parent Board immediately following the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting and after giving effect to the appointments and resignations pursuant to clause (a) and clause (b) of this Section 4.11.
If any Person listed in Exhibit D is unable or unwilling to serve as a director or an officer, as the case may be, of Parent or the Surviving Entity, as set forth therein, as of the Second Effective Time or the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting, the members of the Parent Board designated by the Party who designated such director or officer shall elect or appoint a new director or officer, as the case may be. The Persons listed in Exhibit D under the heading “Board Designees – Parent” shall be Parent’s designees pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 4.11. The Persons listed in Exhibit D under the heading “Board Designees – Company” shall be the Company’s designees pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 4.11. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith to ensure that the Parent Board shall have sufficient independent directors to satisfy applicable Nasdaq listing standards. All independent board members must qualify as “independent directors” under applicable SEC rules. Concurrently with the Closing, the newly constituted Parent Board shall ensure that the various committees of the Parent Board are duly constituted.
4.12. Section 16 Matters. Prior to the First Effective Time, Parent and the Company shall take all such steps as may be required (to the extent permitted under applicable Laws) to cause any acquisitions of Parent Common Stock, restricted stock awards to acquire Parent Common Stock and any Parent Options to purchase Parent Common Stock in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, by each individual who is reasonably expected to become subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to Parent, to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
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4.13. Cooperation. Each Party shall cooperate reasonably with the other Party and shall provide the other Party with such assistance as may be reasonably requested for the purpose of facilitating the performance by each Party of its respective obligations under this Agreement and to enable the combined entity to continue to meet its obligations following the First Effective Time.
4.14. Closing Certificates.
(a) The Company will prepare and deliver to Parent prior to the Closing a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent setting forth, as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time (i) each holder of Company Common Stock (including Company Common Stock issued upon conversion of all of the outstanding Company Convertible Debt) and Company Options, (ii) such holder’s name and address; (iii) the number and type of Company Common Stock (including Company Common Stock issued upon conversion of all of the outstanding Company Convertible Debt) held and/or underlying the Company Options as of the immediately prior to the First Effective Time for each such holder; and (iv) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock and/or Parent Convertible Preferred Stock to be issued to such holder, or to underlie any Parent Option to be issued to such holder, pursuant to this Agreement in respect of the Company Capital Stock or Company Options held by such holder as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time (the “Allocation Certificate”).
(b) Parent will prepare and deliver to the Company prior to the Closing a certificate signed by the Chief Financial Officer of Parent in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, setting forth, as of immediately prior to the Reference Date, the total number of Parent Outstanding Shares (the “Parent Outstanding Shares Certificate”).
4.15. Takeover Statutes. If any Takeover Statute is or may become applicable to the Contemplated Transactions, each of the Company, the Company Board, Parent and the Parent Board, as applicable, shall grant such approvals and take such actions as are necessary so that the Contemplated Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation on the Contemplated Transactions.
4.16. Parent Options. Each unexpired and unexercised Parent Option, whether vested or unvested, shall remain outstanding immediately after the First Effective Time in accordance with its current terms; provided that the foregoing shall not affect any Parent Options that accelerate pursuant to their terms.
4.17. Obligations of Merger Subs. Parent will take all action necessary to cause Merger Subs to perform their obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
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4.18. Private Placement. Each of the Company and Parent shall take all reasonably necessary action on its part such that the issuance of Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares pursuant to this Agreement constitutes a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Each certificate representing Parent Common Stock Payment Shares and the Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares comprising Merger Consideration shall, until such time that such shares are not so restricted under the Securities Act, bear a legend identical or similar in effect to the following legend (together with any other legend or legends required by applicable state securities applicable Law or otherwise, if any):
“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR UNLESS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT IS AVAILABLE.”
Section 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY
The obligations of each Party to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the written waiver by each of the Parties, at or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
5.1. No Restraints. No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order preventing the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions shall have been issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction and remain in effect and there shall not be any Law which has the effect of making the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions illegal.
5.2. Listing. The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the First Merger pursuant to this Agreement and the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in connection with the conversion of the Parent Convertible Preferred Stock issued pursuant to Sections 1.5 and 1.6, subject to prior receipt of Parent stockholder approval in respect of such conversion, shall have been approved for listing (subject to official notice of issuance) on Nasdaq as of the Closing.
5.3. Certificate of Designation. Parent shall have filed the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
Section 6. CLOSING DELIVERIES OF THE COMPANY
The obligations of Parent and Merger Subs to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or the written waiver by Parent, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
6.1. Documents. Parent shall have received the following documents, each of which shall be in full force and effect:
(a) a written resignation, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Parent, dated as of the Closing Date and effective as of the Closing, executed by each of the directors of the Company listed in Section 7.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule;
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(b) the Allocation Certificate; and
(c) Company Representative Confirmation Letters from all attorneys, accountants, investment bankers and other professional advisors of the Company.
6.2. FIRPTA Certificate. Parent shall have received (i) an original signed statement from the Company that the Company is not, and has not been at any time during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, a “United States real property holding corporation,” as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code, conforming to the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(c)(3) and 1.897-2(h), and (ii) an original signed notice to be delivered to the IRS in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2), together with written authorization for Parent to deliver such notice to the IRS on behalf of the Company following the Closing, each dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by an authorized officer of the Company, and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent; provided, that the Parent’s sole remedy for the Company’s failure to deliver such documentation shall be to withhold pursuant to Section 1.14.
6.3. Company Lock-Up Agreements. Parent shall have received the Lock-Up Agreements duly executed by each of the Company Signatories, each of which shall be in full force and effect.
Section 7. CLOSING DELIVERIES OF PARENT
The obligations of the Company to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or the written waiver by the Company, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
7.1. Documents. The Company shall have received the following documents, each of which shall be in full force and effect:
(a) the Parent Outstanding Shares Certificate;
(b) a written resignation, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, dated as of the Closing Date and effective as of the Closing, executed by each of the officers and directors of Parent who are not to continue as officers or directors, as the case may be, of Parent after the Closing pursuant to Section 4.11 hereof;
(c) certified copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the Parent Board and in full force and effect as of the Closing authorizing the appointment of the directors and officers set forth on Exhibit D; and
(d) Parent Representative Confirmation Letters from all attorneys, accountants, investment bankers and other professional advisors of the Parent.
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7.2. Parent Lock-Up Agreements. The Company shall have received the Lock-Up Agreements duly executed by each of the Parent Signatories, each of which shall be in full force and effect.
7.3. Employment Agreements. The Company shall have received the Employment Agreements duly executed by Parent.
Section 8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
8.1. Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company, Parent and Merger Subs contained in this Agreement or any certificate or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate at the First Effective Time, and only the covenants that by their terms survive the First Effective Time and this Section 8 shall survive the First Effective Time.
8.2. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended with the approval of the respective boards of directors (or managers as applicable) of the Surviving Entity and Parent at any time; provided, however, that after any such approval of this Agreement by a Party’s stockholders, no amendment shall be made which by Law requires further approval of such stockholders without the further approval of such stockholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Surviving Entity and Parent.
8.3. Waiver.
(a) No failure on the part of any Party to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of any Party in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege or remedy.
(b) No Party shall be deemed to have waived any claim arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Party and any such waiver shall not be applicable or have any effect except in the specific instance in which it is given.
8.4. Entire Agreement; Counterparts; Exchanges by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement and the other schedules, exhibits, certificates, instruments and agreements referred to in this Agreement constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof; provided, however, that the Confidentiality Agreement shall not be superseded and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of a fully executed Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by all Parties by electronic transmission in PDF format shall be sufficient to bind the Parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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8.5. Applicable Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the Laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws. In any action or proceeding between any of the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the Contemplated Transactions, each of the Parties: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or, to the extent that neither of the foregoing courts has jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware; (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 8.5; (c) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts; (d) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any Party; (e) agrees that service of process upon such Party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 8.8 of this Agreement; and (f) irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to trial by jury.
8.6. Attorneys’ Fees. In any action at law or suit in equity to enforce this Agreement or the rights of any of the Parties, the prevailing Party in such action or suit (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction) shall be entitled to recover its reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and all other reasonable costs and expenses incurred in such action or suit.
8.7. Assignability. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure solely to the benefit of, the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any of a Party’s rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempted assignment or delegation of this Agreement or any of such rights or obligations by such Party without the other Party’s prior written consent shall be void and of no effect.
8.8. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly delivered and received hereunder (a) one Business Day after being sent for next Business Day delivery, fees prepaid, via a reputable international overnight courier service, (b) upon delivery in the case of delivery by hand, or (c) on the date delivered in the place of delivery if sent by email (with a written or electronic confirmation of delivery) prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, otherwise on the next succeeding Business Day, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:
if to Parent or Merger Subs:
Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.
535 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Attention: Christian S. Schade
Email Address: chris.schade@aprea.com
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with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Geoffrey W. Levin and Gabriel Saltarelli
Email Address: glevin@sidley.com and gsaltarelli@sidley.com
if to the Company:
Atrin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
3805 Old Easton Rd.
Doylestown, PA 18902
Attention: Oren Gilad, Ph.D.
E-mail Address: oren.gilad@atrinpharma.com
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
DLA Piper LLP (US)
One Liberty Place
1650 Market Street, Suite 5000
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Fahd M.T. Riaz, Esq.
Email Address: fahd.riaz@us.dlapiper.com
8.9. Cooperation. Each Party agrees to cooperate fully with the other Party and to execute and deliver such further documents, certificates, agreements and instruments and to take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the other Party to evidence or reflect the Contemplated Transactions and to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
8.10. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the Parties agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to limit such term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases or to replace such term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the Parties agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term or provision.
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8.11. Other Remedies; Specific Performance. Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a Party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The Parties agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that any Party does not perform the provisions of this Agreement (including failing to take such actions as are required of it hereunder to consummate this Agreement) in accordance with its specified terms or otherwise breaches such provisions. Accordingly, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the Parties agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief on the basis that any other Party has an adequate remedy at law or that any award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or in equity. Any Party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction.
8.12. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person (other than the Parties and the D&O Indemnified Parties to the extent of their respective rights pursuant to Section 4.5) any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
8.13. Construction.
(a) References to “cash,” “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine genders.
(c) The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiating and drafting of this Agreement and agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting Party shall not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
(d) As used in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
(e) Except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to “Sections,” “Exhibits” and “Schedules” are intended to refer to Sections of this Agreement and Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement, respectively.
(f) Any reference to legislation or to any provision of any legislation shall include any modification, amendment, re-enactment thereof, any legislative provision substituted therefore and all rules, regulations, and statutory instruments issued or related to such legislations.
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(g) The bold-faced headings and table of contents contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) The Parties agree that each of the Company Disclosure Schedule and the Parent Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections and subsections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in this Agreement. The disclosures in any section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Schedule or the Parent Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections and subsections in this Agreement to the extent it is readily apparent on its face from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure is applicable to such other sections and subsections.
(i) Each of “delivered” or “made available” means, with respect to any documentation, that (i) prior to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement (A) a copy of such material has been posted to and made available by a Party to the other Party and its Representatives in the electronic data room maintained by such disclosing Party or (B) such material is disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof and publicly made available on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system or (ii) delivered by or on behalf of a Party or its Representatives via electronic mail or in hard copy form prior to the execution of this Agreement.
(j) Whenever the last day for the exercise of any privilege or the discharge of any duty hereunder shall fall upon a Saturday, Sunday, or any date on which banks in New York, New York, are authorized or obligated by Law to be closed, the Party having such privilege or duty may exercise such privilege or discharge such duty on the next succeeding day which is a regular Business Day.
8.14. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions will be paid by the Party incurring such expenses.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.
| APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Christian S. Schade | |
| Name: Christian S. Schade | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| ATR MERGER SUB I INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Christian S. Schade | |
| Name: Christian S. Schade | ||
| Title: President, Secretary and Treasurer | ||
| ATR MERGER SUB II LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Christian S. Schade | |
| Name: Christian S. Schade | ||
| Title: President, Secretary and Treasurer | ||
[Signature Page – Merger Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.
| ATRIN PHARMACEUTICALS INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Oren Gilad | |
| Name: Oren Gilad | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
[Signature Page – Merger Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
| a) | For purposes of this Agreement (including this Exhibit A): |
“Affiliate” of a Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Aggregate Valuation” means the sum of (a) the Company Valuation plus (b) the Parent Valuation.
“Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger to which this Exhibit A is attached, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in New York, New York, are authorized or obligated by Law to be closed.
“CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Public Law No. 116-136, as in effect on the Closing Date and any other applicable Law or presidential memorandum, executive order or executive memo (including the Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing Covid-19 Disaster, dated August 8, 2020, and IRS Notice 2020-65, 2020-38 IRB), in any U.S. jurisdiction, addressing the consequences of COVID-19 as well as any applicable guidance issued thereunder or relating thereto, including, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act and the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability, and Schools Act.
“Certificate of Designation” means the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Parent Convertible Preferred Stock in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company Allocation Percentage” means the quotient (rounded to four decimal places) determined by dividing (a) the Company Valuation by (b) the Aggregate Valuation.
“Company Associate” means any current or former employee, independent contractor, officer or director of the Company.
“Company Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Company Capital Stock” means the Company Common Stock and all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Company Common Stock, including the Company Convertible Debt.
A-1
“Company Common Stock” means the Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share, of the Company.
“Company Convertible Debt” means the convertible promissory notes issued pursuant to the Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 17, 2021.
“Company Contract” means any Contract: (a) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a Party; (b) by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Company IP or any other asset of the Company or its Subsidiaries is or may become bound or under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has, or may become subject to, any obligation; or (c) under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has or may acquire any right or interest.
“Company Equity Value” means $75,000,000.
“Company ERISA Affiliate” means any corporation or trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is (or at any relevant time was) treated with the Company as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code.
“Company IP” means all Intellectual Property Rights that are owned or purported to be owned by, assigned to, or exclusively licensed by, the Company.
“Company Material Adverse Effect” means any Effect that, considered together with all other Effects that have occurred prior to the date of determination of the occurrence of a Company Material Adverse Effect, has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Company, taken as a whole; provided, however, that Effects arising or resulting from the following shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect: (a) general business or economic conditions affecting the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, (b) acts of war, armed hostilities or terrorism, acts of God or comparable events, epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 virus) or any worsening of the foregoing, or any declaration of martial law, quarantine or similar directive, policy or guidance or Law or other action by any Governmental Body in response thereto, (c) changes in financial, banking or securities markets, (d) any change in, or any compliance with or action taken for the purpose of complying with, any Law or GAAP (or interpretations of any Law or GAAP), (e) resulting from the announcement of this Agreement or the pendency of the Contemplated Transactions, or (f) resulting from the taking of any action required to be taken by this Agreement; except in each case with respect to clauses (a) through (c), to the extent disproportionately affecting the Company, taken as a whole, relative to other similarly situated companies in the industries in which the Company operate.
“Company Merger Shares” means, the product determined by multiplying (a) the Post-Closing Parent Shares by (b) the Company Allocation Percentage.
“Company Net Cash” means, with respect to the Company, (without duplication) in each case as of immediately prior to the Closing, the unrestricted free cash or cash equivalents plus (x) prepaid expenses expected to provide benefit to Parent and its Subsidiaries following the Closing listed on Section A-1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, minus (y) (i) accounts payable and accrued expenses (including accrued and unpaid Tax liabilities and any deferred unpaid employment taxes under the CARES Act) and other current liabilities payable in cash, (ii) Company Transaction Expenses, (iii) any indebtedness for borrowed money, (iv) any outstanding insurance coverage related to the liabilities listed on Section A-2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (v) any accrued unpaid Taxes of Company (including unpaid Taxes of any predecessor) for Tax periods (or portions thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date, (vi) total short and long term liabilities accrued at Closing pursuant to GAAP (excluding Company Transaction Expenses), (vii) the cash cost of any retention payments, change of control payments or other bonuses due to any current of former employees (including the employer portion of any employment and payroll taxes that are payable in connection therewith) as of the Closing, and (viii) to the extent not otherwise included as a Company Transaction Expense, the amounts referenced in all Company Representative Confirmation Letters.
A-2
“Company Net Cash Amount” means, the difference of (i) the Company Net Cash, minus (ii) the Company Target Net Cash, which number may be a negative number. If the Company Net Cash Amount is less than $500,000, but greater than -$500,000, then the Company Net Cash Amount shall be deemed to be equal to $0.
“Company Options” means options or other rights to purchase shares of Company Common Stock issued by the Company.
“Company Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time expressed on a fully diluted basis, calculated using the treasury stock method, and assuming, without limitation or duplication, the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock in respect of all Company Options and Company Convertible Debt, whether conditional or unconditional, that will be outstanding as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time.
“Company Representative Confirmation Letters” means written confirmations, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Parent, from the attorneys, accountants, investment bankers and other professional advisors of the Company as to all amounts estimated in good faith owed by the Company with respect to services performed by them through the Closing (with respect to amounts constituting Company Transaction Expenses).
“Company Restricted Stock Grant” means each grant with respect to a share of Company Common Stock outstanding under the Company Plan that is, at the time of determination, subject to a risk of forfeiture or repurchase by the Company, whether subject to time or performance based vesting.
“Company Target Net Cash” means $5,000,000.
“Company Transaction Expenses” means, with respect to the Company, the aggregate amount (without duplication) of all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Company and not paid before the Closing, or for which the Company is or may become liable in connection with the Contemplated Transactions and the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement or any other agreement, document, instrument, filing, certificate, schedule, exhibit, letter or other document prepared or executed in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, including any fees and expenses of legal counsel, accountants and other advisors of the Company.
A-3
“Company Unaudited Annual Balance Sheet” means the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2021 provided to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement.
“Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet” means the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2022 provided to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement.
“Company Valuation” means (i) the Company Equity Value plus (ii) the Company Net Cash Amount (if any).
“Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain letter agreement, dated as of February 23, 2022, between the Company and Parent.
“Consent” means any approval, consent, ratification, permission, waiver or authorization (including any Governmental Authorization).
“Contemplated Transactions” means the Merger, Parent Stockholder Support Agreements, the CVR Agreement and the other transactions and actions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated at or prior to the Closing (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, the actions proposed to be taken as the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting following the Closing pursuant to Section 4.2).
“Contract” means, with respect to any Person, any written or oral agreement, contract, subcontract, lease (whether for real or personal property), mortgage, license, sublicense or other legally binding commitment or undertaking of any nature to which such Person is a party or by which such Person or any of its assets are bound or affected under applicable Law.
“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
“DLLCA” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
“Effect” means any effect, change, event, circumstance, or development.
“Employment Agreement” means the employment agreement to be entered into between the Parent and Oren Gilad.
“Encumbrance” means any lien, pledge, hypothecation, charge, mortgage, security interest, lease, license, option, easement, reservation, servitude, adverse title, claim, infringement, interference, option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, community property interest or restriction or encumbrance of any nature (including any restriction on the voting of any security, any restriction on the transfer of any security or other asset, any restriction on the receipt of any income derived from any asset, any restriction on the use of any asset and any restriction on the possession, exercise or transfer of any other attribute of ownership of any asset).
“Enforceability Exceptions” means the (a) Laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (b) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.
A-4
“Entity” means any corporation (including any non-profit corporation), partnership (including any general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability partnership), joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any company limited by shares, limited liability company or joint stock company), firm, society or other enterprise, association, organization or entity, and each of its successors.
“Environmental Law” means any federal, state, local or foreign Law relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including any Law or regulation relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
“Exchange Ratio” means, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 1.6(e), the following ratio (rounded to four decimal places): the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Company Merger Shares by (b) the Company Outstanding Shares.
“First Merger Sub Board” means the board of directors of First Merger Sub.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles and practices in effect from time to time within the United States applied consistently throughout the period involved.
“Governmental Authorization” means any: (a) permit, license, certificate, franchise, permission, variance, exception, approval, exemption, order, clearance, registration, qualification or authorization issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Law; or (b) right under any Contract with any Governmental Body.
“Governmental Body” means any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental division, department, agency, commission, bureau, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or Entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any taxing authority); or (d) self-regulatory organization (including Nasdaq).
“Group 1 Employees” means those employees set forth on Section A-1 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.
“Group 2 Employees” means those employees set forth on Section A-2 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.
“Group 3 Employees” means those employees set forth on Section A-3 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.
A-5
“Hazardous Materials” means any pollutant, chemical, substance and any toxic, infectious, carcinogenic, reactive, corrosive, ignitable or flammable chemical, or chemical compound, or hazardous substance, material or waste, whether solid, liquid or gas, that is subject to regulation, control or remediation under any Environmental Law, including without limitation, crude oil or any fraction thereof, and petroleum products or byproducts.
“Intellectual Property Rights” means and includes all intellectual property or other proprietary rights under the laws of any jurisdiction in the world, including, without limitation: (a) rights associated with works of authorship, including exclusive exploitation rights, copyrights, moral rights, software, databases, and mask works; (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names and other source identifiers, domain names and URLs and similar rights and any goodwill associated therewith; (c) rights associated with trade secrets, know how, inventions, invention disclosures, methods, processes, protocols, specifications, techniques and other forms of technology; (d) patents and industrial property rights; (e) other similar proprietary rights in intellectual property of every kind and nature; (f) rights of privacy and publicity; and (g) all registrations, renewals, extensions, statutory invention registrations, provisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, provisionals, divisions, or reissues of, and applications for, any of the rights referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above (whether or not in tangible form and including all tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, such as samples, studies and summaries), along with all rights to prosecute and perfect the same through administrative prosecution, registration, recordation or other administrative proceeding, and all causes of action and rights to sue or seek other remedies arising from or relating to the foregoing, including for past, present or future infringement of any of the foregoing.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Knowledge” means, with respect to an individual, that such individual is actually aware of the relevant fact or such individual would reasonably be expected to know such fact in the ordinary course of the performance of such individual’s employment responsibilities. Any Person that is an Entity shall have Knowledge if any officer or director of such Person as of the date such knowledge is imputed has Knowledge of such fact or other matter.
“Law” means any federal, state, national, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (including under the authority of Nasdaq or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
“Legal Proceeding” means any action, suit, litigation, arbitration, proceeding (including any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), hearing, inquiry, audit, civil investigation demand, subpoena, complaint (including a qui tam complaint), examination or investigation commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any court or other Governmental Body or any arbitrator or arbitration panel.
“Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Stock Market, including the Nasdaq Global Select Market or such other Nasdaq market on which shares of Parent Common Stock are then listed.
A-6
“Ordinary Course of Business” means, in the case of each of the Company and Parent, such actions taken in the ordinary course of its normal operations and consistent with its past practices.
“Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person (other than an individual), (a) the certificate or articles of association or incorporation or organization or limited partnership or limited liability company, and any joint venture, limited liability company, operating or partnership agreement and other similar documents adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation or organization of such Person and (b) all bylaws, regulations and similar documents or agreements relating to the organization or governance of such Person, in each case, as amended or supplemented.
“Parent Allocation Percentage” means the quotient (rounded to four decimal places) determined by dividing (a) the Parent Valuation by (b) the Aggregate Valuation.
“Parent Associate” means any current or former employee, independent contractor, officer or director of Parent.
“Parent Balance Sheet” means the audited balance sheet of Parent as of December 31, 2021 (the “Parent Balance Sheet Date”), included in Parent’s Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC.
“Parent Board” means the board of directors of Parent.
“Parent Closing Price” means the volume weighted average closing trading price of a share of Parent Common Stock on Nasdaq for the five consecutive trading days ending five trading days immediately prior to the date upon which the Merger becomes effective.
“Parent Common Stock” means the Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Parent.
“Parent Contract” means any Contract: (a) to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party; (b) by which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent IP or any other asset of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound or under which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has, or may become subject to, any obligation; or (c) under which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has or may acquire any right or interest.
“Parent Convertible Preferred Stock” means Parent’s non-voting convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, with the rights, preferences, powers and privileges specified in the Certificate of Designation.
“Parent Covered Person” means, with respect to Parent as an “issuer” for purposes of Rule 506 promulgated under the Securities Act, any Person listed in the first paragraph of Rule 506(d)(1).
“Parent Equity Value” means $50,000,000.
A-7
“Parent ERISA Affiliate” means any corporation or trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is (or at any relevant time was) treated with Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code.
“Parent Interim Financial Statements” means the unaudited interim financial statements of Parent for the three-month period ending March 31, 2022.
“Parent IP” means all Intellectual Property Rights that are owned or purported to be owned by, assigned to, or exclusively licensed by, Parent or its Subsidiaries.
“Parent Material Adverse Effect” means any Effect that, considered together with all other Effects that have occurred prior to the date of determination of the occurrence of a Parent Material Adverse Effect, has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse Effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities or results of operations of Parent; provided, however, that Effects arising or resulting from the following shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Parent Material Adverse Effect: (a) general business or economic conditions affecting the industry in which Parent operates, (b) acts of war, armed hostilities or terrorism, acts of God or comparable events, epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 virus) or any worsening of the foregoing, or any declaration of martial law, quarantine or similar directive, policy or guidance or Law or other action by any Governmental Body in response thereto, (c) changes in financial, banking or securities markets, (d) the taking of any action required to be taken by this Agreement, (e) any change in the stock price or trading volume of Parent Common Stock (it being understood, however, that any Effect causing or contributing to any change in stock price or trading volume of Parent Common Stock may be taken into account in determining whether a Parent Material Adverse Effect has occurred, unless such Effects are otherwise excepted from this definition); (f) any change in, or any compliance with or action taken for the purpose of complying with, any Law or GAAP (or interpretations of any Law or GAAP); (g) resulting from the announcement of this Agreement or the pendency of the Contemplated Transactions; or (h) resulting from the taking of any action or the failure to take any action, by Parent that is required to be taken by this Agreement, except in each case with respect to clauses (a) through (c), to the extent disproportionately affecting Parent relative to other similarly situated companies in the industries in which Parent operates.
“Parent Net Cash” means, with respect to Parent, (without duplication) in each case as of immediately prior to the Closing, the unrestricted free cash or cash equivalents plus (x) prepaid expenses expected to provide benefit to Parent and its Subsidiaries following the Closing listed on Section A-4 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, minus (y) (i) accounts payable and accrued expenses (including accrued and unpaid Tax liabilities and any deferred unpaid employment taxes under the CARES Act) and other current liabilities payable in cash, (ii) any Parent Transaction Expenses, (iii) any indebtedness for borrowed money, (iv) the cash costs and expenses associated with the termination of ongoing contractual obligations relating to Parent’s and its Subsidiaries legacy business operations, (v) any outstanding insurance coverage related to the liabilities listed on Section A-5 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, (vi) any accrued unpaid Taxes of Parent and its Subsidiaries for Tax periods (or portions thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date, and any Taxes (other than withholding taxes) payable by the Parent and its Subsidiaries upon the issuance of the CVRs (as determined by the Parties on or before the Closing Date), (vii) total short and long term liabilities accrued at Closing pursuant to GAAP, (viii) the cash cost of all amounts (inclusive of any severance payments) that will be payable to the Group 1 Employees, Group 2 Employees and Group 3 Employees in connection with their termination (including the employer portion of any employment and payroll Taxes that are payable in connection therewith), (ix) the cash cost of any retention payments, change of control payments or other bonuses due to any current of former employees (including the employer portion of any employment and payroll Taxes that are payable in connection therewith) as of the Closing, and (x) to the extent not otherwise included as a Parent Transaction Expense, the amounts referenced in all Parent Representative Confirmation Letters.
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“Parent Net Cash Amount” means, the difference of (i) the Parent Net Cash, minus (ii) the Parent Target Net Cash, which number may be a negative number. If the Parent Net Cash Amount is less than $500,000, but greater than -$500,000, then the Parent Net Cash Amount shall be deemed to be equal to $0.
“Parent Options” means options or other rights to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock issued by Parent.
“Parent Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Parent Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time expressed on a fully diluted basis, calculated using the treasury stock method, and assuming, without limitation or duplication, the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock in respect of all Parent Options, Parent RSUs warrants, or other rights to receive shares, whether conditional or unconditional, that will be outstanding as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, any out-of-the-money Parent Options shall not be included in the total number of shares of Parent Common Stock outstanding for purposes of determining the Parent Outstanding Shares.
“Parent Representative Confirmation Letters” means written confirmations, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, from the attorneys, accountants, investment bankers and other professional advisors of Parent as to all amounts estimated in good faith owed by Parent with respect to services performed by them through the Closing (or following the Closing at the pre-Closing direction of Parent).
“Parent RSU” means restricted stock units with respect to, or that may be settled in, shares of Parent Common Stock issued by Parent.
“Parent Stock Plan” means the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
“Parent Target Net Cash” means $35,000,000.
“Parent Transaction Expenses” means, with respect to Parent, the aggregate amount (without duplication) of all costs, fees and expenses incurred by or estimated to be incurred by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including Merger Subs), or for which such Party or any of its Subsidiaries are or may become liable in connection with the Contemplated Transactions and the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement or any other agreement, document, instrument, filing, certificate, schedule, exhibit, letter or other document prepared or executed in connection with the Contemplated Transactions (other than any costs incurred in connection with the Parent Financing), including any fees and expenses (x) of legal counsel and accountants, the maximum amount of fees and expenses payable to financial advisors, investment bankers, brokers, consultants, tax advisors, transfer agents, and other advisors of such Party, and (y) related to the Proxy Statement and the Stockholders’ Meeting, including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of any proxy solicitation firm hired to solicit proxies for the Parent Stockholders’ Meeting.
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“Parent Valuation” means (i) the Parent Equity Value plus (ii) the Parent Net Cash Amount (if any).
“Party” or “Parties” means the Company, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub and Parent.
“Permitted Encumbrance” means: (a) any Encumbrance for current Taxes not yet due and payable or for Taxes that are being contested in good faith and, in each case, for which adequate reserves have been made on the Company Unaudited Interim Balance Sheet or the Parent Balance Sheet, as applicable, in accordance with GAAP; (b) minor liens that have arisen in the Ordinary Course of Business and that do not (in any case or in the aggregate) materially detract from the value of the assets or properties subject thereto or materially impair the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parent, as applicable; (c) statutory liens to secure obligations to landlords, lessors or renters under leases or rental agreements; (d) deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment of, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or similar programs mandated by Law; (e) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property Rights granted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parent, as applicable, in the Ordinary Course of Business and that do not (in any case or in the aggregate) materially detract from the value of the Intellectual Property Rights subject thereto; and (f) statutory liens in favor of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen, to secure claims for labor, materials or supplies.
“Person” means any individual, Entity or Governmental Body.
“Post-Closing Parent Shares” mean the quotient determined by dividing (i) the Parent Outstanding Shares by (ii) the Parent Allocation Percentage.
“Reference Date” means May 13, 2022.
“Registered IP” means all Intellectual Property Rights that are registered or issued under the authority of, with or by any Governmental Body, including all patents, registered copyrights, registered mask works, and registered trademarks, service marks and trade dress, and all applications for any of the foregoing.
“Representatives” means directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, advisors and representatives.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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An entity shall be deemed to be a “Subsidiary” of a Person if such Person directly or indirectly owns or purports to own, beneficially or of record, (a) an amount of voting securities or other interests in such entity that is sufficient to enable such Person to elect at least a majority of the members of such entity’s board of directors or other governing body, or (b) at least 50% of the outstanding equity, voting, beneficial or financial interests in such Entity.
“Takeover Statute” means any “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or other similar anti-takeover Law.
“Tax” means any (i) federal, state, local, foreign or other tax, including any income, capital gain, gross receipts, capital stock, profits, transfer, estimated, registration, stamp, premium, escheat, unclaimed property, customs duty, ad valorem, occupancy, occupation, alternative, add-on, windfall profits, value added, severance, property, business, production, sales, use, license, excise, franchise, employment, payroll, social security, disability, unemployment, workers’ compensation, national health insurance, withholding (on amounts paid or received) or other taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges, surtaxes or deficiencies thereof in the nature of a tax, however denominated (whether imposed directly or through withholding and whether or not disputed), and including any fine, penalty, addition to tax, or interest or additional amount imposed by a Governmental Body with respect thereto (or attributable to the nonpayment thereof) and (ii) any liability for payment of amounts described in clause (i) whether as a result of transferee or successor liability, of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period, pursuant to a Contract, through operation of Law or otherwise.
“Tax Return” means any return (including any information return), report, statement, declaration, claim for refund, estimate, schedule, notice, notification, form, election, certificate or other document, and any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body (or provided to a payee) in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or compliance with any Law relating to any Tax.
“Treasury Regulations” means the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.
“WARN Act” means the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or any similar state or local plant closing mass layoff statute, rule or regulation.
Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:
| Term | Section | |
| ACA | 2.17(c) | |
| Allocation Certificate | 4.14(a) | |
| Anti-Bribery Laws | 2.22 | |
| Board Approval | Recitals | |
| Book-Entry Shares | 1.7 | |
| Business Associate Agreements | 2.14(h) |
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| Term | Section | |
| Cash Determination Time | 1.11(a) | |
| Certifications | 3.7(a) | |
| Closing | 1.3 | |
| Closing Date | 1.3 | |
| Company | Preamble | |
| Company Benefit Plan | 2.17(a) | |
| Company Board Designees | 4.11(a) | |
| Company Disclosure Schedule | 2 | |
| Company Financials | 2.7(a) | |
| Company In-bound License | 2.12(d) | |
| Company Material Contract | 2.13(a) | |
| Company Material Contracts | 2.13(a) | |
| Company Net Cash Calculation | 1.11(b) | |
| Company Net Cash Schedule | 1.11(b) | |
| Company Out-bound License | 2.12(d) | |
| Company Permits | 2.14(b) | |
| Company Plan | 2.6(c) | |
| Company Real Estate Leases | 2.11 | |
| Company Regulatory Permits | 2.14(d) | |
| Company Signatories | Recitals | |
| Company Stock Certificate | 1.7 | |
| Company Stockholder Matters | Recitals | |
| Continuing Employees | 4.4(a) | |
| Costs | 4.5(a) | |
| CVR | 1.12(a) | |
| CVR Agreement | 1.12(a) | |
| D&O Indemnified Parties | 4.5(a) | |
| Disqualifying Event | 3.23 | |
| Dissenting Shares | 1.9(a) | |
| Drug Regulatory Agency | 2.14(a) | |
| Exchange Agent | 1.8(a) | |
| Exchange Fund | 1.8(a) | |
| FDA | 2.14(a) | |
| FDCA | 2.14(a) | |
| First Certificate of Merger | 1.3 | |
| First Effective Time | 1.3 | |
| First Merger | Recitals | |
| First Merger Sub | Preamble | |
| First Step Surviving Corporation | 1.1 | |
| FLSA | 2.17(n) | |
| GCP | 2.14(e) | |
| GLP | 2.14(e) | |
| HHS | 2.14(a) | |
| HIPAA | 2.14(h) |
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| Term | Section | |
| Intended Tax Treatment | 4.9(a) | |
| Investor Agreements | 2.21(b) | |
| Liability | 2.9 | |
| Lock-Up Agreement | Recitals | |
| Merger | Recitals | |
| Merger Consideration | 1.5 | |
| Merger Subs | Preamble | |
| Nasdaq Listing Application | 4.8 | |
| Parent | Preamble | |
| Parent Benefit Plan | 3.17(a) | |
| Parent Common Stock Consideration Cap | 1.5 | |
| Parent Common Stock Payment Shares | 1.5 | |
| Parent Disclosure Schedule | 3 | |
| Parent Foreign Plan | 3.17(m) | |
| Parent In-bound License | 3.12(d) | |
| Parent Material Contract | 3.13(a) | |
| Parent Material Contracts | 3.13(a) | |
| Parent Net Cash Calculation | 1.11(a) | |
| Parent Net Cash Schedule | 1.11(a) | |
| Parent Out-bound License | 3.12(d) | |
| Parent Outstanding Shares Certificate | 4.14(b) | |
| Parent Permits | 3.14(c) | |
| Parent Preferred Stock Payment Shares | 1.5 | |
| Parent Real Estate Leases | 3.11 | |
| Parent Regulatory Permits | 3.14(e) | |
| Parent Signatories | Recitals | |
| Parent SEC Documents | 3.7(a) | |
| Parent Stockholder Matters | 4.2(a) | |
| Parent Stockholders’ Meeting | 4.2(a) | |
| Parent Stockholder Support Agreement | Recitals | |
| PHSA | 2.14(a) | |
| Post-Closing Plans | 4.4(a) | |
| Preferred Stock Conversion Proposal | 1.5 | |
| Proxy Statement | 4.7(a) | |
| Required Company Stockholder Vote | 2.4 | |
| Required Parent Stockholder Vote | 3.4 | |
| Second Certificate of Merger | 1.3 | |
| Second Effective Time | 1.3 | |
| Second Merger | Recitals | |
| Second Merger Sub | Preamble | |
| Sensitive Data | 2.12(g) | |
| Stockholder Notice | 4.1 | |
| Stockholder Written Consent | Recitals | |
| Surviving Entity | 1.1 | |
| Withholding Agent | 1.14 |
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
May 16, 2022
[Apple]
[Address 1]
[Address 2]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned signatory of this lock-up agreement (this “Lock-Up Agreement”) understands that Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 16, 2022 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”) with ATR Merger Sub I Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, ATR Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
Section 1. As a condition and inducement to each of the parties to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees that, subject to the exceptions set forth herein, without the prior written consent of Parent and, solely prior to the Closing, the Company, the undersigned will not, during the period commencing upon the Closing and ending on the date that is 180 days after the Closing Date (the “Restricted Period”):
(a) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Parent Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Parent Common Stock (including without limitation, Parent Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities of Parent which may be issued upon exercise of an option to purchase Parent Common Stock or warrant or settlement of a Parent restricted stock unit) that are currently or hereafter owned by the undersigned (collectively, the “Undersigned’s Shares”), or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge, grant, transfer or disposition;
(b) enter into any swap, short sale, hedge or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Undersigned’s Shares regardless of whether any such transaction described in clause (i) above or this clause (ii) is to be settled by delivery of Parent Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise; or
(c) make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Parent Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Parent Common Stock (other than such rights set forth in the Merger Agreement).
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Section 2. The restrictions and obligations contemplated by this Lock-Up Agreement shall not apply to:
2.1. transfers of the Undersigned’s Shares:
(a) if the undersigned is a natural person, (A) to any person related to the undersigned by blood or adoption who is an immediate family member of the undersigned, or by marriage or domestic partnership (a “Family Member”), or to a trust formed for the benefit of the undersigned or any of the undersigned’s Family Members, (B) to the undersigned’s estate, following the death of the undersigned, by will, intestacy or other operation of Law, (C) as a bona fide gift or a charitable contribution, (D) by operation of Law pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement or (E) to any partnership, corporation or limited liability company which is controlled by the undersigned and/or by any such Family Member(s);
(b) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership or other Entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, or other Entity that is an affiliate (as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) of the undersigned, including investment funds or other entities under common control or management with the undersigned, (B) as a distribution or dividend to equity holders, current or former general or limited partners, members or managers (or to the estates of any of the foregoing), as applicable, of the undersigned (including upon the liquidation and dissolution of the undersigned pursuant to a plan of liquidation approved by the undersigned’s equity holders), (C) as a bona fide gift or a charitable contribution or (D) transfers or dispositions not involving a change in beneficial ownership; or
(c) if the undersigned is a trust, to any grantors or beneficiaries of the trust; provided that, in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to this clause (a), such transfer is not for value and each donee, heir, beneficiary or other transferee or distributee shall sign and deliver to Parent a lock-up agreement in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock or such other securities that have been so transferred or distributed;
2.2. the exercise of an option to purchase Parent Common Stock (including a net or cashless exercise of an option to purchase Parent Common Stock), and any related transfer of shares of Parent Common Stock to Parent for the purpose of paying the exercise price of such options or for paying taxes (including estimated taxes) due as a result of the exercise of such options; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the underlying shares of Parent Common Stock shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement;
2.3. the disposition of Parent Common Stock received on settlement of any restricted stock units for the purpose of paying any taxes (including estimated taxes) due as a result of the distribution of Parent Common Stock received in connection with the settlement of any restricted stock unit;
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2.4. the disposition (including a forfeiture or repurchase) to Parent of any shares of restricted stock granted pursuant to the terms of any employee benefit plan or restricted stock purchase agreement;
2.5. transfers to Parent in connection with the net settlement of any restricted stock unit or other equity award that represents the right to receive in the future shares of Parent Common Stock settled in Parent Common Stock to pay any tax withholding obligations; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the underlying shares of Parent Common Stock shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement;
2.6. the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of Parent Common Stock; provided that such plan does not provide for any transfers of Parent Common Stock during the Restricted Period;
2.7. transfers by the undersigned of shares of Parent Common Stock purchased by the undersigned on the open market or in a public offering by Parent, in each case following the Closing Date;
2.8. pursuant to a bona-fide third party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of Parent’s capital stock involving a change of control of Parent, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the Undersigned’s Shares shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this Lock-Up Agreement; or
2.9. pursuant to an order of a court or regulatory agency;
and provided, further, that, with respect to each of 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 above, no filing by any party (including any donor, donee, transferor, transferee, distributor or distributee) under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or disposition during the Restricted Period (other than (i) any exit filings or public announcements that may be required under applicable federal and state securities Laws or (ii) in respect of a required filing under the Exchange Act in connection with the exercise of an option to purchase Parent Common Stock or in connection with the net settlement of any restricted stock unit or other equity award that represents the right to receive in the future shares of Parent Common Stock settled in Parent Common Stock that would otherwise expire during the Restricted Period, provided that reasonable notice shall be provided to Parent prior to any such filing).
Section 3. Any attempted transfer in violation of this Lock-Up Agreement will be of no effect and null and void, regardless of whether the purported transferee has any actual or constructive knowledge of the transfer restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement, and will not be recorded on the share register of Parent. In furtherance of the foregoing, the undersigned agrees that Parent and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Agreement. Parent may cause the legend set forth below, or a legend substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) or other documents, ledgers or instruments evidencing the undersigned’s ownership of Parent Common Stock:
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THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AND MAY ONLY BE TRANSFERRED IN COMPLIANCE WITH A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.
Section 4. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.
Section 5. The undersigned understands that if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Lock-Up Agreement. The undersigned understands that Parent and the Company are proceeding with the Contemplated Transactions in reliance upon this Lock-Up Agreement.
Section 6. Any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon Parent or the Company will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by Law or equity, and the exercise by Parent or the Company of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The undersigned agrees that irreparable damage would occur to Parent and/or the Company in the event that any provision of this Lock-Up Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that Parent and the Company shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Lock-Up Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which Parent or the Company is entitled at Law or in equity, and the undersigned waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of Parent or the Company with respect thereto.
Section 7. In the event that any holder of Parent securities that are subject to a substantially similar agreement entered into by such holder, other than the undersigned, is permitted by Parent to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of shares of Parent Common Stock for value other than as permitted by this or a substantially similar agreement entered into by such holder, the same percentage of shares of Parent Common Stock held by the undersigned shall be immediately and fully released on the same terms from any remaining restrictions set forth herein (the “Pro-Rata Release”); provided, however, that such Pro-Rata Release shall not be applied unless and until permission has been granted by Parent to an equity holder or equity holders to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of all or a portion of such equity holders’ shares of Parent Common Stock in an aggregate amount in excess of 1% of the number of shares of Parent Common Stock originally subject to a substantially similar agreement.
Section 8. Upon the release of any of the Undersigned’s Shares from this Lock-Up Agreement, Parent will cooperate with the undersigned to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Undersigned’s Shares without the restrictive legend above or the withdrawal of any stop transfer instructions.
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Section 9. This Lock-Up Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Lock-Up Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the state of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of Laws principles thereof.
Section 10. This Lock-Up Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of a fully executed Lock-Up Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by Parent, the Company and the undersigned by facsimile or electronic transmission in .pdf format shall be sufficient to bind such parties to the terms and conditions of this Lock-Up Agreement.
(Signature Page Follows)
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| Very truly yours, | ||
| Print Name of Stockholder: | [Name] | |
| Signature (for individuals): | ||
| Signature (for entities): | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature page to Lock-up Agreement]
| Accepted and Agreed | ||
| by APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC.: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature page to Lock-up Agreement]
| Accepted and Agreed | ||
| by ATRIN PHARMACEUTICALS INC.: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF PREFERENCES,
RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS
OF
SERIES A NON-VOTING CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
Pursuant to Section 151 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
THE UNDERSIGNED DOES HEREBY CERTIFY, on behalf of Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), that the following resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), at a meeting duly called and held on May 14, 2022, which resolution provides for the creation of a series of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, which is designated as “Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock,” with the preferences, rights and limitations set forth therein relating to dividends, conversion, redemption, dissolution and distribution of assets of the Corporation.
WHEREAS: the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) provides for a class of its authorized stock known as preferred stock, consisting of 40,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), issuable from time to time in one or more series.
RESOLVED: that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, (i) a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation be, and hereby is authorized by the Board of Directors, (ii) the Board of Directors hereby authorizes the issuance of 2,950,000 shares of “Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock” pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation, ATR Merger Sub I Inc., ATR Merger Sub II LLC and Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”) and (iii) the Board of Directors hereby fixes the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such shares of Preferred Stock, in addition to any provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation that are applicable to the Preferred Stock of all classes and series, as follows:
TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK
1. Definitions. For the purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Alternate Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
“Attribution Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
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“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York are generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Buy-In” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.4.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and stock of any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Conversion Ratio” and “Conversion” shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 6.2.
“Conversion Shares” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof.
“DTC” means the Depository Trust Company.
“DWAC Delivery” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Fair Value” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.3.
“Fundamental Transaction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
“Holder” means a holder of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock.
“Liquidation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.
“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
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“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
“Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.1.
“Stockholder Approval” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for business.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
2. Designation, Amount and Par Value. The series of Preferred Stock shall be designated as the Corporation’s Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock”) and the number of shares so designated shall be 2,950,000. Each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.001 per share. The shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall initially be issued and maintained in the form of securities held in book-entry form and the DTC or its nominee shall initially be the sole registered holder of the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock.
3. Dividends. Holders shall be entitled to receive, and the Corporation shall pay, dividends on shares of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis, without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) equal to and in the same form, and in the same manner, as dividends (other than dividends on shares of the Common Stock payable in the form of Common Stock) actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends (other than dividends payable in the form of Common Stock) are paid on shares of the Common Stock. Other than as set forth in the previous sentence, no other dividends shall be paid on shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, and the Corporation shall pay no dividends (other than dividends payable in the form of Common Stock) on shares of the Common Stock unless it simultaneously complies with the previous sentence.
4. Voting Rights.
4.1 Except as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise required by the DGCL, the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights. However, as long as any shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock: (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock or alter or amend this Certificate of Designation, amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of the Corporation, or file any articles of amendment, certificate of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of Preferred Stock, if such action would adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, regardless of whether any of the foregoing actions shall be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise, (ii) issue further shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock or increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the number of authorized shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, (iii) prior to the Stockholder Approval, consummate either: (A) any Fundamental Transaction or (B) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity or any stock sale to, or other business combination in which the stockholders of the Corporation immediately before such transaction do not hold at least a majority of the capital stock of the Corporation immediately after such transaction or (iv) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing. Holders of shares of Common Stock acquired upon the conversion of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the same voting rights as each other holder of Common Stock except that such holders may not vote such shares upon the proposal for Stockholder Approval in accordance with Rule 5635 of the listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.
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4.2 Any vote required or permitted under Section 4.1 may be taken at a meeting of the Holders or through the execution of an action by written consent in lieu of such meeting, provided that the consent is executed by Holders representing a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, unless a higher percentage is required by the DGCL, in which case the written consent of the Holders of not less than such higher percentage shall be required.
5. Rank; Liquidation.
5.1 The Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall rank on parity with the Common Stock as to distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
5.2 Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation”), each Holder shall be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Corporation the same amount that a holder of Common Stock would receive if the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock were fully converted (disregarding for such purpose any Beneficial Ownership Limitations) to Common Stock based on the Conversion Ratio, which amounts shall be paid pari passu with payment to all holders of Common Stock, plus an additional amount equal to any dividends declared but unpaid to such shares. For the avoidance of any doubt, a Fundamental Transaction shall not be deemed a Liquidation unless the Corporation expressly declares that such Fundamental Transaction shall be treated as if it were a Liquidation.
6. Conversion.
6.1 Conversion at Option of Holder. Subject to Section 6.3 and Section 6.4.3, each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time following 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the date that the Corporation’s stockholders approve the conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, as set forth in the Merger Agreement (the “Stockholder Approval”), at the option of the Holder thereof, into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Ratio. Holders shall effect conversions and cash settlement requests under Section 6.4.3 by providing the Corporation with the form of conversion notice attached hereto as Annex A (a “Notice of Conversion”), duly completed and executed. Provided the Corporation’s transfer agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer program, the Notice of Conversion may specify, at the Holder’s election, whether the applicable Conversion Shares shall be credited to the account of the Holder’s prime broker with DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system (a “DWAC Delivery”). The “Conversion Date”, or the date on which a conversion shall be deemed effective, shall be defined as the Trading Day that the Notice of Conversion, completed and executed, is sent via email to, and received during regular business hours by, the Corporation; provided, that the original certificate(s) (if any) representing such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion, are received by the Corporation within two (2) Trading Days thereafter. In all other cases, the Conversion Date shall be defined as the Trading Day on which the original certificate(s) (if any) representing such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion, are received by the Corporation. The calculations set forth in the Notice of Conversion shall control in the absence of manifest or mathematical error.
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6.2 Conversion Ratio. The “Conversion Ratio” for each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be 10 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion (the “Conversion”) of each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (corresponding to a ratio of 10:1), subject to adjustment as provided herein.
6.3 Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Corporation shall not effect any conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, to the extent that, after giving effect to an attempted conversion set forth on an applicable Notice of Conversion, such Holder (together with any other Person whose beneficial ownership of Common Stock would be aggregated with the Holder’s for purposes of Section 13(d) or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission, including any “group” of which the Holder is a member (the foregoing, “Attribution Parties”)) would beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and its Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock subject to the Notice of Conversion with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, unconverted Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties, and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties that are subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise similar to the limitation contained herein. For purposes of this Section 6.3, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission. In addition, for purposes hereof, “group” has the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission. For purposes of this Section 6.3, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as stated in the most recent of the following: (A) the Corporation’s most recent periodic or annual filing with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Corporation that is filed with the Commission, or (C) a more recent notice by the Corporation or the Corporation’s transfer agent to the Holder setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. Upon the written request of a Holder (which may be by email), the Corporation shall, within three (3) Trading Days thereof, confirm in writing to such Holder (which may be via email) the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to any actual conversion or exercise of securities of the Corporation, including shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, by such Holder or its Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was last publicly reported or confirmed to the Holder. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall initially be between 4.9% and 19.9% (and the Holder shall have the discretion to set the percentage within this range) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Notice of Conversion (to the extent permitted pursuant to this Section 6.3). The Corporation shall be entitled to rely on representations made to it by the Holder in any Notice of Conversion regarding its Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, by written notice to the Corporation, (i) which will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such written notice is delivered to the Corporation, the Holder may reset the Beneficial Ownership Limitation percentage to a higher percentage, not to exceed 19.9%, to the extent then applicable and (ii) which will be effective immediately after such notice is delivered to the Corporation, the Holder may reset the Beneficial Ownership Limitation percentage to a lower percentage. Upon such a change by a Holder of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation may not be further amended by such Holder without first providing the minimum notice required by this Section 6.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time following notice of a Fundamental Transaction, the Holder may waive and/or change the Beneficial Ownership Limitation effective immediately upon written notice to the Corporation and may reinstitute a Beneficial Ownership Limitation at any time thereafter effective immediately upon written notice to the Corporation.
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6.4 Mechanics of Conversion.
6.4.1 Delivery of Certificate or Electronic Issuance. Upon Conversion, not later than three (3) Trading Days after the applicable Conversion Date, or if the Holder requests the issuance of physical certificate(s), three (3) Trading Days after receipt by the Corporation of the original certificate(s) representing such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Corporation shall either: (a) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder a physical certificate or certificates representing the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, or (b) in the case of a DWAC Delivery (if so requested by the Holder), electronically transfer such Conversion Shares by crediting the account of the Holder’s prime broker with DTC through its DWAC system. If in the case of any Notice of Conversion such certificate or certificates for the Conversion Shares are not delivered to or as directed by or, in the case of a DWAC Delivery, such shares are not electronically delivered to or as directed by, the applicable Holder by the Share Delivery Date, the applicable Holder shall be entitled to elect to rescind such Notice of Conversion by written notice to the Corporation at any time on or before its receipt of such certificate or certificates for Conversion Shares or electronic receipt of such shares, as applicable, in which event the Corporation shall promptly return to such Holder any original Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock certificate delivered to the Corporation and such Holder shall promptly return to the Corporation any Common Stock certificates or otherwise direct the return of any shares of Common Stock delivered to the Holder through the DWAC system, representing the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock unsuccessfully tendered for conversion to the Corporation.
6.4.2 Obligation Absolute. Subject to Section 6.3 hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6.4.1 above, the Corporation’s obligation to issue and deliver the Conversion Shares upon conversion of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by a Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by such Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Corporation or any violation or alleged violation of law by such Holder or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Corporation to such Holder in connection with the issuance of such Conversion Shares. Subject to Section 6.3 hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6.4.1 above, in the event a Holder shall elect to convert any or all of its Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, the Corporation may not refuse conversion based on any claim that such Holder or anyone associated or affiliated with such Holder has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Holder, restraining and/or enjoining conversion of all or part of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock of such Holder shall have been sought and obtained by the Corporation, and the Corporation posts a surety bond for the benefit of such Holder in the amount of 150% of the value of the Conversion Shares into which would be converted the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock which is subject to such injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of the underlying dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to such Holder to the extent it obtains judgment. In the absence of such injunction, the Corporation shall, subject to Section 6.3 hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6.4.1 above, issue Conversion Shares upon a properly noticed conversion.
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6.4.3 Cash Settlement. If, at any time after the earlier of (i) Stockholder Approval, and (ii) six months after the initial issuance of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (irrespective of whether the Stockholder Approval has been obtained or not), a Holder delivers to the Corporation a Notice of Conversion and the Corporation fails to deliver to a Holder such certificate or certificates, or electronically deliver (or cause its transfer agent to electronically deliver) such shares in the case of a DWAC Delivery, pursuant to Section 6.4.1 on or prior to the third (3rd) Trading Day after the Share Delivery Date applicable to such Conversion (other than a failure caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to the Corporation or due to the Beneficial Ownership Limitations), then, unless the Holder has rescinded the applicable Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6.4.1 above, the Corporation shall, at the written request of a Holder by submission of a Notice of Conversion, pay, out of funds legally available therefor, an amount equal to the Fair Value (defined below) of the shares of Common Stock that would have been issuable upon the conversion of such Holder’s shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock based on the Conversion Ratio, with such payment to be made within two (2) Business Days from the date of request by the Holder, whereupon the Corporation’s obligations to deliver the Conversion Shares applicable to such Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be extinguished. For purposes of this Section 6.4.3, the “Fair Value” means the last reported closing stock price of a share of Common Stock on the principal Trading Market on which the Common Stock is listed as of the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which the Notice of Conversion is delivered to the Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, the cash settlement provisions set forth in this Section 6.4.3 shall be available irrespective of the reason for the Corporation’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares (other than a failure caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to the Corporation), including due to the lack of obtaining Stockholder Approval, or due to applicable stock exchange rules.
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6.4.4 Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Certificates. If the Corporation fails to deliver to a Holder the applicable certificate or certificates or to effect a DWAC Delivery, as applicable, by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to Section 6.4.1 (other than a failure caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to the Corporation), and if after such Share Delivery Date such Holder is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of the Conversion Shares which such Holder was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Corporation shall (A) pay in cash to such Holder (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by such Holder) the amount by which (x) such Holder’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that such Holder was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of such Holder, either reissue (if surrendered) the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock submitted for conversion or deliver to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Corporation had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 6.4.1. For example, if a Holder purchases shares of Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock with respect to which the actual sale price (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Corporation shall be required to pay such Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Corporation written notice, within three (3) Trading Days after the occurrence of a Buy-In, indicating the amounts payable to such Holder in respect of such Buy-In together with applicable confirmations and other evidence reasonably requested by the Corporation. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Corporation’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the terms hereof or the cash settlement remedy set forth in Section 6.4.3; provided, however, that the Holder shall not be entitled to both (i) require the reissuance of the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock submitted for conversion for which such conversion was not timely honored and (ii) receive the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Corporation had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 6.4.1.
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6.4.5 Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Corporation covenants that at all times it will reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Holders of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, not less than such aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock as shall be issuable (taking into account the adjustments of Section 7) upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. The Corporation covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
6.4.6 Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Corporation shall pay the Holder a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional share of Common Stock in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Fair Value. Whether or not fractional shares would be issuable upon such conversion shall be determined on the basis of the total number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock the holder is at the time converting into Common Stock and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion.
6.4.7 Transfer Taxes. The issuance of certificates for shares of the Common Stock upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to any Holder for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such certificates, provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such certificate upon conversion in a name other than that of the registered Holder(s) of such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock and the Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificates unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.
6.4.8 Withholding Taxes. The Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold any tax that is required to be deducted or withheld under applicable law from any amounts payable hereunder. Any tax so withheld or deducted shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the Holder in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made.
6.5 Status as Stockholder. Upon each Conversion Date, (i) the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock being converted shall be deemed converted into shares of Common Stock and (ii) the Holder’s rights as a holder of such converted shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall cease and terminate, excepting only the right to receive certificates for such shares of Common Stock and to any remedies provided herein or otherwise available at law or in equity to such Holder because of a failure by the Corporation to comply with the terms of this Certificate of Designation. In all cases, the Holder shall retain all of its rights and remedies for the Corporation’s failure to convert Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. In no event shall the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock convert into shares of Common Stock prior to the Stockholder Approval.
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7. Certain Adjustments.
7.1 Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If the Corporation, at any time while this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock is outstanding: (A) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Corporation upon conversion of this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock) with respect to the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; (B) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares; or (C) combines (including by way of a reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then the Conversion Ratio shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) outstanding immediately after such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such event (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation). Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision or combination.
7.2 Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock is outstanding, (A) the Corporation effects any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another Person or any stock sale to or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, share exchange or scheme of arrangement) with or into another Person (other than such a transaction in which the Corporation is the surviving or continuing entity and its Common Stock is not exchanged for or converted into other securities, cash or property), (B) the Corporation effects any sale, lease, transfer or exclusive license of all or substantially all of its assets in one transaction or a series of related transactions, (C) any tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Corporation or another Person) is completed pursuant to which more than 50% of the Common Stock not held by the Corporation is exchanged for or converted into other securities, cash or property, or (D) the Corporation effects any reclassification of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant (other than as a result of a dividend, subdivision or combination covered by Section 7.1 above) to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property (in any such case, a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent conversion of this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock the Holders shall have the right to receive, in lieu of the right to receive Conversion Shares, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, the same kind and amount of securities, cash or property as it would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction if it had been, immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction, the holder of one share of Common Stock (the “Alternate Consideration”). For purposes of any such subsequent conversion, the determination of the Conversion Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Corporation shall adjust the Conversion Ratio in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holders shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any conversion of this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock following such Fundamental Transaction. To the extent necessary to effectuate the foregoing provisions, any successor to the Corporation or surviving entity in such Fundamental Transaction shall file a new certificate of designations with the same terms and conditions and issue to the Holders new preferred stock consistent with the foregoing provisions and evidencing the Holders’ right to convert such preferred stock into Alternate Consideration. The terms of any agreement to which the Corporation is a party and pursuant to which a Fundamental Transaction is effected shall include terms requiring any such successor or surviving entity to comply with the provisions of this Section 7.2 and ensuring that this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (or any such replacement security) will be similarly adjusted upon any subsequent transaction analogous to a Fundamental Transaction. The Corporation shall cause to be delivered to each Holder, at its last address as it shall appear upon the stock books of the Corporation, written notice of any Fundamental Transaction at least 20 calendar days prior to the date on which such Fundamental Transaction is expected to become effective or close. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Corporation’s disposition of certain assets pursuant to the Corporation’s Contingent Value Rights Agreement dated as of May 16, 2022 by and between the Corporation and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as may be amended from time to time, shall not constitute a Fundamental Transaction.
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7.3 Calculations. All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 7, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) issued and outstanding.
8. Redemption. The shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise deal in such shares to the extent otherwise permitted hereby and by law, nor shall the foregoing limit the Holder’s rights under Section 6.4.3.
9. Transfer. A Holder may transfer such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock in whole, or in part, together with the accompanying rights set forth herein, held by such holder without the consent of the Corporation; provided that such transfer is in compliance with applicable securities laws. The Corporation shall in good faith (i) do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and (ii) execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, in each case, as any holder of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Section 9.
10. Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock Register. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Corporation as it may designate by notice to the Holders in accordance with Section 11), a register for the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, in which the Corporation shall record (i) the name, address, electronic mail address and facsimile number of each holder in whose name the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock have been issued and (ii) the name, address, electronic mail address and facsimile number of each transferee of any shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. The Corporation may treat the person in whose name any share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock is registered on the register as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes. The Corporation shall keep the register open and available at all times during business hours for inspection by any holder of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock or his, her or its legal representatives.
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11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by the provisions of this Certificate of Designation to be given to a holder of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the post office address last shown on the records of the Corporation, or given by electronic communication in compliance with the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and shall be deemed sent upon such mailing or electronic transmission.
12. Book-Entry; Certificates. The Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock will be issued in book-entry form; provided that, if a Holder requests that such Holder’s shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock be issued in certificated form, the Corporation will instead issue a stock certificate to such Holder representing such Holder’s shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. To the extent that any shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form, references herein to “certificates” shall instead refer to the book-entry notation relating to such shares.
13. Lost or Mutilated Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock Certificate. If a Holder’s Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock certificate shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated certificate, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, a new certificate for the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such certificate, and of the ownership hereof reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation.
14. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision hereof shall be interpreted in a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision hereof is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, then such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or otherwise adversely affecting the remaining provisions hereof.
15. Status of Converted Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. If any shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be converted or redeemed by the Corporation, such shares shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and shall no longer be designated as Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. has caused this Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to be duly executed by its Chief Executive Officer this _____ day of _______________, 2022.
| APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
ANNEX A
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
(TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER IN ORDER TO CONVERT SHARES OF SERIES A NON-VOTING CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK OR, IF APPLICABLE, TO ELECT CASH SETTLEMENT OF SUCH SHARES)
The undersigned Holder hereby irrevocably elects to convert the number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock indicated below, [represented by stock certificate No(s). [_]] [represented in book-entry form], into shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), as of the date written below (or, if applicable, elects cash settlement of such shares pursuant to Section 6.4.3 of the Certificate of Designation). If securities are to be issued in the name of (or cash is to be paid to) a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. Capitalized terms utilized but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in that certain Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) filed by the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 16, 2022.
As of the date hereof, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the undersigned Holder (together with such Holder’s Attribution Parties), including the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock subject to this Notice of Conversion, but excluding the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, unconverted Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties, and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation (including any warrants) beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties that are subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise similar to the limitation contained in Section 6.3 of the Certificate of Designation, is [_]%. For purposes hereof, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission. In addition, for purposes hereof, “group” has the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission.
CONVERSION CALCULATIONS:
| Date to Effect Conversion: | |
| Number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock owned prior to Conversion: | |
| Number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock to be Converted: | |
| Number of shares of Common Stock to be Issued: | |
| Address for delivery of physical certificates: |
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For DWAC Delivery, please provide the following:
Broker no: ______________________
Account no: _____________________
| [HOLDER] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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EXHIBIT D
Board Designees – Parent
| Name | Title | Class | ||
| Richard Peters | Director | I | ||
| Bernd Seizinger | Director | I | ||
| Christian S. Schade | Director | III | ||
| Jack Henneman | Director | III |
Board Designees – Company
| Name | Title | Class | ||
| Mike Grissinger | Director | II | ||
| Rif Pamukcu | Director | II | ||
| Oren Gilad | Director | III | ||
| Marc Duey | Director | I | ||
Officers
| Name | Title |
| Christian S. Schade | Chief Executive Officer |
| Scott Coiante | Chief Financial Officer |
| Greg Korbel | Chief Operating Officer |
| Oren Gilad | President |
| Ze’ev Weiss | Chief Business Officer |
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EXHIBIT E
FORM OF
CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 16, 2022, is entered into by and between Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation and its affiliate Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company (collectively, as “Rights Agent”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company, ATR Merger Sub I Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“First Merger Sub”), ATR Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Second Merger Sub”), and Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Target”), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 16, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which (i) First Merger Sub will merge with and into Target (the “First Merger”), with Target surviving the First Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and (ii) immediately following the First Merger, Target will merge with and into Second Merger Sub (the “Second Merger” and together with the First Merger, the “Merger”), with Second Merger Sub surviving the Second Merger;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof, the Company has agreed to provide to the Holders (as defined herein) contingent value rights as hereinafter described;
WHEREAS, the parties have done all things reasonably necessary to make the contingent value rights, when issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement and hereunder, the valid obligations of the Company and to make this Agreement a valid and binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the consummation of the transactions referred to above, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:
Section 1.
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement. The following terms have the meanings ascribed to them as follows:
“Acting Holders” means, at the time of determination, the Holders of at least 25% of the outstanding CVRs, as reflected on the CVR Register.
“Assignee” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6.
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“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in New York, New York, are authorized or obligated by law to be closed.
“Calendar Quarter” means the successive periods of three (3) consecutive calendar months ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31, for so long as this Agreement is in effect; provided, however that (a) the first Calendar Quarter shall commence on the date of this Agreement and shall end on the first June 30 thereafter, and (b) the last Calendar Quarter shall commence on the first day after the full Calendar Quarter immediately preceding the effective date of the termination or expiration of this Agreement and shall end on the effective date of the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
“Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company.
“CVR” means a contingent contractual right of Holders to receive CVR Payments pursuant to the Merger Agreement and this Agreement.
“CVR Cash Payment” means a cash payment equal to seventy percent (70%) of the Net Proceeds received by the Company in a given Calendar Quarter.
“CVR Payment” means any CVR Cash Payment; provided that the Company, in its reasonable discretion as resolved by the Company’s Board of Directors, may withhold up to 10% of any CVR Cash Payment to provide for the satisfaction of (i) indemnity obligations under any Disposition Agreement in excess of any escrow fund established therein, in each case to the extent not already deducted as Permitted Deductions, and (ii) any Loss arising out of any third-party claims, demands, actions, or other proceedings relating to or in connection with any Potentially Transferable Assets during the CVR Term; provided, further, that any such withheld amount shall be distributed (net of any Permitted Deductions satisfied therefrom) to the Holders no later than three (3) years following the date such amount would have otherwise been distributed to the Holders in the CVR Payment from which such amount was deducted.
“CVR Payment Amount” means with respect to each CVR Payment and each Holder, an amount equal to such CVR Payment divided by the total number of CVRs and then multiplied by the total number of CVRs held by such Holder as reflected on the CVR Register.
“CVR Payment Period” means a period equal to a Calendar Quarter ending at any time after the effective date of a Disposition Agreement.
“CVR Payment Statement” means, for a given CVR Payment Period during the CVR Term, a written statement of the Company, signed on behalf of the Company, setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the applicable CVR Payment for such CVR Payment Period.
“CVR Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).
“CVR Term” means the period beginning on the Closing and ending upon the fifth anniversary of this Agreement.
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“Disposition” means the sale, license, transfer or disposition of any Potentially Transferable Asset (including any sale or disposition of equity securities in any Subsidiary established by the Company to hold any right, title or interest in or to any Potentially Transferable Asset), in each case during the Disposition Period; provided, that, any license, sale, or other disposition of any Target product or Company IP (as defined in the Merger Agreement) that has incorporated or otherwise been developed with reference to Potentially Transferrable Assets shall not be deemed a Disposition.
“Disposition Agreement” means a definitive written agreement providing for a transaction or series of transactions between the Company or its Affiliates and any Person who is not an Affiliate of the Company regarding a Disposition.
“Disposition Period” means the period beginning on the execution date of the Merger Agreement and ending upon the second anniversary of the Closing Date.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.
“Entity” means any corporation (including any non-profit corporation), partnership (including any general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability partnership), joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any company limited by shares, limited liability company or joint stock company), firm, society or other enterprise, association, organization or entity, and each of its successors.
“Governmental Body” means any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental division, department, agency, commission, bureau, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or Entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any taxing authority); or (d) self-regulatory organization (including Nasdaq).
“Gross Proceeds” means, without duplication, the sum of all cash consideration and the value of any marketable securities actually received by the Company or its Affiliates during the CVR Term in consideration for a Disposition pursuant to a Disposition Agreement. The value of any marketable securities (whether debt or equity) shall be equal to the volume weighted average of their closing market prices for the five (5) trading days ending the day prior to the date of payment to, or receipt by, the Company or its relevant Affiliate.
“Holder” means, at the relevant time, a Person in whose name CVRs are registered in the CVR Register.
“Loss” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(g).
“Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Stock Market, including the Nasdaq Global Select Market or such other Nasdaq market on which shares of Common Stock are then listed.
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“Net Proceeds” means, for any CVR Payment Period, the Gross Proceeds minus Permitted Deductions for such CVR Payment Period, all as calculated, to the extent in accordance with GAAP, in a manner consistent with the Company’s accounting practices and the most recently filed annual audited financial statements with the SEC, except as otherwise set forth herein. For clarity, to the extent Permitted Deductions exceed Gross Proceeds for any CVR Payment Period, any excess Permitted Deductions shall be applied against Gross Proceeds in subsequent CVR Payment Periods.
“Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company, in their respective official capacities.
“Party” means the Company or the Rights Agent as the context requires.
“Permitted Deductions” means the sum of, without duplication:
(a) any applicable Tax (including any income or other similar Taxes and applicable value added or sales Taxes) imposed on Gross Proceeds and payable by the Company or any of its Affiliates (regardless of whether the due date for such Taxes arises during or after the Disposition Period) and, without duplication, any other Taxes payable by the Company or any of its Affiliates that would not have been incurred by the Company or any of its Affiliates, but for the Disposition; provided that (i) any Withholding Taxes shall be excluded from Permitted Deductions; and (ii) any Taxes taken into account in the determination of Parent Net Cash (or Taxes that would have been taken into account absent the exclusion related to withholding Taxes) shall be excluded from Permitted Deductions;
(b) any expenses incurred by the Company or any of its Affiliates in respect of its performance of this Agreement following the Closing Date or in respect of its performance of any Contract in connection with any Potentially Transferable Asset, including any costs related to the prosecution, maintenance or enforcement by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of intellectual property rights in the Potentially Transferable Assets (but excluding any costs related to a breach of this Agreement, including costs incurred in litigation in respect of the same);
(c) any expenses incurred or accrued by the Company or any of its Affiliates in connection with the negotiation, entry into and closing of any Disposition of any Potentially Transferable Asset, including any brokerage fee, finder’s fee, opinion fee, success fee, transaction fee, service fee or other fee, commission or expense owed to any broker, finder, investment bank, auditor, accountant, counsel, advisor or other third party in relation thereto;
(d) any fees or expenses incurred by the Company in respect of any payments made or to be made to directors comprising a committee designate by the Company’s Board of Directors to manage the Potentially Transferrable Assets or the Disposition, including any negotiation of the Disposition Agreement;
(e) any Losses incurred or reasonably expected to be incurred by the Company or any of its Affiliates arising out of any third-party claims, demands, actions, or other proceedings relating to or in connection with any Disposition, including indemnification obligations of the Company or any of its Affiliates set forth in any Disposition Agreement; and
(f) any Liabilities borne by the Company or any of its Affiliates pursuant to Contracts related to Potentially Transferable Assets, including costs arising from the termination thereof.
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“Permitted Transfer” means a transfer of CVRs (a) upon death of a Holder by will or intestacy; (b) pursuant to a court order; (c) by operation of law (including by consolidation or merger) or without consideration in connection with the dissolution, liquidation or termination of any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity; (d) in the case of CVRs held in book-entry or other similar nominee form, from a nominee to a beneficial owner and, if applicable, through an intermediary, to the extent allowable by DTC; or (e) as provided in Section 2.6.
“Person” means any individual, Entity or Governmental Body.
“Potentially Transferable Assets” means the tangible and intangible assets (including intellectual property) primarily used in or primarily related to the Company’s business of developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics that reactivate mutant p53 tumor suppressor protein, including but not limited to APR-246, or eprenetapopt, APR-548, and all associated analogs, including if further developed or commercialized after the occurrence of the Merger.
“Rights Agent” means the Rights Agent named in the first paragraph of this Agreement, until a successor Rights Agent will have become the Rights Agent pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement, and thereafter “Rights Agent” will mean such successor Rights Agent.
“Special Committee” means a committee comprised of the following individuals: Christian S. Schade, Jack Henneman and Michael Grissinger.
Section 2.
CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS
2.1 Holders of CVRs; Appointment of Rights Agent.
(a) The CVRs represent the rights of Holders to receive CVR Cash Payments pursuant to this Agreement. The initial Holders will be the holders of Common Stock as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time. One CVR will be issued with respect to each share of Common Stock that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time.
(b) The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as Rights Agent for the Company in accordance with the express terms and conditions (and no implied terms and conditions) set forth in this Agreement, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.
2.2 Non-transferable. The CVRs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or in any other manner transferred or disposed of, in whole or in part, other than through a Permitted Transfer. The CVRs will not be listed on any quotation system or traded on any securities exchange.
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2.3 No Certificate; Registration; Registration of Transfer; Change of Address.
(a) The CVRs will be issued in book-entry form only and will not be evidenced by a certificate or other instrument.
(b) Subject to the delivery of information and instructions by the Company to the Rights Agent in form and substance acceptable to the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall create and maintain a register (the “CVR Register”) for the purpose of registering CVRs and Permitted Transfers. The CVR Register will be created, and CVRs will be distributed, pursuant to written instructions to the Rights Agent from the Company. The CVR Register will initially show one position for Cede & Co. representing shares of Common Stock held by DTC on behalf of the street holders of the shares of Common Stock held by such holders as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time. The Rights Agent will have no responsibility whatsoever directly to the street name holders with respect to transfers of CVRs. With respect to any payments or issuances to be made under Section 2.4 below, the Rights Agent will accomplish the payment to any former street name holders of shares of Common Stock by sending one lump-sum payment or issuance to DTC. The Rights Agent will have no responsibilities whatsoever with regard to the distribution of payments or shares of Common Stock by DTC to such street name holders.
(c) Subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 2.2, every request made to transfer a CVR must be in writing and accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Rights Agent pursuant to its guidelines, including a guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, duly executed by the Holder thereof, the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, the Holder’s personal representative or the Holder’s survivor, and setting forth in reasonable detail the circumstances relating to the transfer. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent shall, subject to its reasonable determination that the transfer instrument is in proper form and the transfer otherwise complies with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the provisions of Section 2.2), register the transfer of the CVRs in the CVR Register. The Company and Rights Agent may require evidence of payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp, documentary, registration, or other Tax or governmental charge that is imposed in connection with any such registration of transfer (or evidence that such Taxes and charges are not applicable). The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any action under any section of this Agreement that requires the payment by a Holder of a CVR of applicable Taxes or charges unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that all such Taxes or charges have been paid. All duly transferred CVRs registered in the CVR Register will be the valid obligations of the Company and will entitle the transferee to the same benefits and rights under this Agreement as those held immediately prior to the transfer by the transferor. No transfer of a CVR will be valid until registered in the CVR Register.
(d) A Holder may make a written request to the Rights Agent to change such Holder’s address of record in the CVR Register. The written request must be duly executed by the Holder. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent shall, subject to its reasonable determination that the transfer instrument is in proper form, promptly record the change of address in the CVR Register. The Special Committee may make a written request to the Rights Agent for a list containing the names, addresses and number of CVRs of the Holders that are registered in the CVR Register. Upon receipt of such written request from the Special Committee, the Rights Agent shall promptly deliver a copy of such list to the Special Committee.
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(e) The Company will provide written instructions to the Rights Agent for the distribution of CVRs to holders of Common Stock as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time (the “Record Time”). Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Company’s prompt confirmation of the First Effective Time, the Rights Agent shall effect the distribution of the CVRs, less any applicable Tax withholding, to each holder of Common Stock as of the Record Time by the mailing of a statement of holding reflecting such CVRs.
2.4 Payment Procedures.
(a) No later than forty-five (45) days following the end of each Calendar Quarter during the CVR Term, commencing with the first CVR Payment Period in which the Company or its Affiliates receives Gross Proceeds, the Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent a CVR Payment Statement for such CVR Payment Period. Concurrent with the delivery of each CVR Payment Statement, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Rights Agent in U.S. dollars the CVR Cash Payment (subject to the proviso in the definition of the term “CVR Payment”) for the applicable CVR Payment Period. Such CVR Payment will be transferred by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Rights Agent not less than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the date of the applicable payment. Upon receipt of the wire transfer referred to in the foregoing sentence, the Rights Agent shall promptly (and in any event, within ten (10) Business Days) pay, by check mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the address of each Holder set forth in the CVR Register at such time, an amount equal to such Holder’s CVR Payment Amount. The Rights Agent shall promptly, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of a CVR Payment Statement under this Section 2.4(a), send each Holder at its registered address a copy of such statement. For the avoidance of doubt the Company shall have no further liability in respect of the relevant CVR Payment upon delivery of such CVR Payment in accordance with this Section 2.4(a) and the satisfaction of each of the Company’s obligations set forth in this Section 2.4(a).
(b) The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, or cause the Rights Agent to deduct and withhold, any Tax or similar governmental charge or levy, that is required to be deducted or withheld under applicable law from any amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement (“Withholding Taxes”). To the extent the amounts are so withheld by the Company or the Rights Agent, as the case may be, and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Body, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made. Parent shall instruct the Rights Agent to solicit from each Holder, and such Holder shall promptly provide, an IRS Form W-9 or applicable IRS Form W-8 at such time or times as is necessary to permit any payment under this Agreement to be made without U.S. federal backup withholding. In the event the Company becomes aware that a payment under this Agreement is subject to Withholding Taxes (other than U.S. federal backup withholding), the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide written notice to the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide written notice of such Withholding Taxes to the applicable Holders and the Holders shall cooperate with the Rights Agent to minimize Taxes required by applicable law to be withheld or deducted from any payments made under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that notice has been provided to an applicable Holder pursuant to this Section 2.4(b), no further notice shall be required to be given for any future payments of such Withholding Tax.
(c) For U.S. federal income Tax purposes, the Company shall take the position that the issuance of the CVRs is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax under the “open transaction” method and agrees not to file any tax return or take, or cause the Rights Agent to take, any position that is inconsistent with such treatment, unless otherwise required by a “determination” (as defined in Section 1313 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
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2.5 No Voting, Dividends or Interest; No Equity or Ownership Interest.
(a) The CVRs will not have any voting or dividend rights, and interest will not accrue on any amounts payable in respect of CVRs to any Holder.
(b) The CVRs will not represent any equity or ownership interest in the Company or in any constituent company to the Merger. It is hereby acknowledged and agreed that a CVR shall not constitute a security of the Company.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon any Holder, by virtue of the CVRs, any rights or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever as a stockholder or member of the Company or any of its subsidiaries either at law or in equity. The rights of any Holder and the obligations of the Company and its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors and controlling Persons are contract rights limited to those expressly set forth in this Agreement.
(d) It is hereby acknowledged and agreed that the CVRs and the possibility of any payment hereunder with respect thereto are highly speculative and subject to numerous factors outside of the Company’s control, and there is no assurance that Holders will receive any payments under this Agreement or in connection with the CVRs. Each Holder acknowledges that it is highly possible that no Disposition will occur prior to the expiration of the Disposition Period and that there will not be any Gross Proceeds that may be the subject of a CVR Payment Amount. It is further acknowledged and agreed that neither the Company nor its Affiliates owe, by virtue of their obligations under this Agreement, a fiduciary duty or any implied duties to the Holders and the parties hereto, and the Company and its Affiliates intend solely the express provisions of this Agreement to govern their contractual relationship with respect to the CVRs. It is acknowledged and agreed that this Section 2.5(d) is an essential and material term of this Agreement.
2.6 Ability to Abandon CVR. A Holder may at any time, at such Holder’s option, abandon all of such Holder’s remaining rights represented by CVRs by transferring such CVRs to the Company or a Person nominated in writing by the Company (with written notice thereof from the Company to the Rights Agent) without consideration in compensation therefor, and such rights will be cancelled, with the Rights Agent being promptly notified in writing by the Holder of such transfer and cancellation. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit the Company or its Affiliates from offering to acquire or acquiring CVRs, in private transactions or otherwise, for consideration in its sole discretion.
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Section 3.
THE RIGHTS AGENT
3.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Rights Agent will not have any liability for any actions taken or not taken in connection with this Agreement, except to the extent such liability arises as a result of the willful misconduct, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence of the Rights Agent (in each case as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of court of competent jurisdiction). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any liability of the Rights Agent under this Agreement will be limited to the amount of fees paid in the twelve (12) months preceding the event for which recovery is sought by the Company to the Rights Agent in connection with this Agreement (but not including reimbursable expenses and other charges). Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event will the Rights Agent be liable for special, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damages of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damages, and regardless of the form of action.
(b) The Rights Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility in the case of the receipt of any written demand from any Holder with respect to any action or default by any person or entity, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or to make any demand upon the Company or Target. The Rights Agent may (but shall not be required to) enforce all rights of action under this Agreement and any related claim, action, suit, audit, investigation or proceeding instituted by the Rights Agent may be brought in its name as the Rights Agent and any recovery in connection therewith in respect of the Holders will be for the proportionate benefit of all the Holders, as their respective rights or interests may appear on the CVR Register.
3.2 Certain Rights of Rights Agent.
(a) The Rights Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent.
(b) The Rights Agent may rely and will be protected by the Company in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order or other paper or document believed by it in the absence of bad faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by or on behalf of the Company or a Holder.
(c) Whenever the Rights Agent deems it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, the Rights Agent may rely upon an Officer’s Certificate, which certificate shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall, in the absence of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct (each as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) on its part, incur no liability and be held harmless by the Company for or in respect of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such Officer’s Certificate.
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(d) The Rights Agent may engage and consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel will, in the absence of bad faith, fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct (in each case, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) on the part of the Rights Agent, be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or not taken by the Rights Agent in reliance thereon.
(e) Any permissive rights of the Rights Agent hereunder will not be construed as a duty.
(f) The Rights Agent will not be required to give any note or surety in respect of the execution of its powers or otherwise under this Agreement.
(g) The Company agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold the Rights Agent harmless from and against, any loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, cost or expense (each, a “Loss”) suffered or incurred by the Rights Agent and arising out of or in connection with the Rights Agent’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including the reasonable and documented costs and expenses of defending the Rights Agent against any claims, charges, demands, actions or suits arising out of or in connection in connection with the execution, acceptance, administration, exercise and performance of its duties under this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly, or enforcing its rights hereunder, except to the extent such Loss has been determined by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the Rights Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; provided that this Section 3.2(g) shall not apply with respect to income, receipt, franchise or similar Taxes. The Company will have no obligation to reimburse the Rights Agent for the fees of counsel in connection with any lawsuit initiated by the Rights Agent on behalf of itself or the Holders, except in the case of any suit, action or proceeding enforcing the provisions of Section 2.4(a), Section 3.2(h) and this Section 3.2(g), if the Company is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Rights Agent or the Holders or each such party otherwise prevails, as applicable in such suit, action or proceeding
(h) The Company agrees (i) to pay the fees of the Rights Agent in connection with the Rights Agent’s performance of its obligations hereunder in accordance with the fee schedule (the “Fee Schedule”), as agreed upon in writing by the Rights Agent and the Company on or prior to the date of this Agreement, and (ii) to reimburse the Rights Agent for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and other disbursements incurred in the preparation, delivery, negotiation, amendment, administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder, including all stamp and transfer Taxes (and excluding for the avoidance of doubt, any income, receipt, franchise or similar Taxes) and governmental charges, incurred by the Rights Agent in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
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(i) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it believes that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(j) The Rights Agent shall not be subject to, nor be required to comply with, or determine if any Person has complied with, the Merger Agreement or any other agreement between or among any of the Company, Target or Holders, even though reference thereto may be made in this Agreement, or to comply with any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement.
(k) In the event the Rights Agent reasonably believes any ambiguity or uncertainty exists hereunder or in any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document received by the Rights Agent hereunder, the Rights Agent shall, as soon as practicable, provide notice to the Company, and the Rights Agent may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action, and shall be fully protected and shall not be liable in any way to the Company or any Holder or any other Person for refraining from taking such action, unless the Rights Agent receives written instructions from the Company or such Holder or other Person which eliminate such ambiguity or uncertainty to the reasonable satisfaction of the Rights Agent.
(l) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorney or agents and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorney or agents or for any loss to the Company or Target resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (each as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(m) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, and all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
(n) The Rights Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent for the Company and shall not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust with any of the owners or holders of the CVRs. The Rights Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility in the case of the receipt of any written demand from any Holders with respect to any action or default by the Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or to make any demand upon the Company.
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(o) The Rights Agent may rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (i) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (ii) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same even though such law, act, or regulation may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed.
(p) The Rights Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any failure of the Company to comply with any of its obligations relating to any registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or this Agreement, including without limitation obligations under applicable regulation or law.
(q) The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Rights Agent under this Section 3.2, Section 3.1 and Section 2.4 shall survive the expiration of the CVRs and the termination of this Agreement and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent.
3.3 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) The Rights Agent may resign at any time by written notice to the Company. Any such resignation notice shall specify the date on which such resignation will take effect (which shall be at least thirty (30) days following the date that such resignation notice is delivered), and such resignation will be effective on the date so specified.
(b) The Company will have the right to remove the Rights Agent at any time by written notice to the Rights Agent, specifying the date on which such removal will take effect. Such notice will be given at least thirty (30) days prior to the date so specified.
(c) If the Rights Agent resigns, is removed or becomes incapable of acting, the Company will promptly appoint a qualified successor Rights Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company fails to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent, then the incumbent Rights Agent or any Holder may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. The successor Rights Agent so appointed will, upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with this Section 3.3(c) and Section 3.4, become the Rights Agent for all purposes hereunder.
(d) The Company will give notice to the Holders of each resignation or removal of the Rights Agent and each appointment of a successor Rights Agent in accordance with 7.2. Each notice will include the name and address of the successor Rights Agent. If the Company fails to send such notice within ten (10) Business Days after acceptance of appointment by a successor Rights Agent, the successor Rights Agent will cause the notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.3, unless consented to in writing by the Acting Holders, the Company will not appoint as a successor Rights Agent any Person that is not a stock transfer agent of national reputation or the corporate trust department of a commercial bank.
(f) The Rights Agent will reasonably cooperate with the Company and any successor Rights Agent in connection with the transition of the duties and responsibilities of the Rights Agent to the successor Rights Agent, including the transfer of all relevant data, including the CVR Register, to the successor Rights Agent, but such predecessor Rights Agent shall not be required to make any additional expenditure without compensation or reimbursement by the Company or assume any additional liability in connection with the foregoing.
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3.4 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
Every successor Rights Agent appointed hereunder will, at or prior to such appointment, execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the resigning or removed Rights Agent an instrument accepting such appointment and a counterpart of this Agreement, and such successor Rights Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, will become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the Rights Agent; provided that upon the request of the Company or the successor Rights Agent, such resigning or removed Rights Agent will execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Rights Agent all the rights, powers and trusts of such resigning or removed Rights Agent, except such rights which survive its resignation or removal under the terms hereunder.
Section 4.
COVENANTS
4.1 List of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Rights Agent, in such form as the Company receives from the Company’s transfer agent (or other agent performing similar services for the Company) and which form is reasonably satisfactory to the Rights Agent (if such transfer agent is not an affiliate of the Rights Agent), the names and addresses of the Holders within fifteen (15) Business Days following the Closing Date.
4.2 CVR Committee; Efforts.
(a) The Company’s Board of Directors has delegated to the Special Committee the responsibility, authority and discretion during the Disposition Period with respect to (i) managing the Potentially Transferable Assets, and (ii) conducting any sale process (including engagement of advisors) with respect to a Disposition during the Disposition Period. The Special Committee shall also be empowered with the authority to authorize and direct any officer of the Company to negotiate, execute and deliver a Disposition Agreement in the name and on behalf of the Company; provided, however, that (i) no Disposition Agreement shall be entered into without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, and (ii) all costs or expenses to be incurred by the Company in connection with this Agreement shall require the prior approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. All actions directed or approved by the Special Committee shall require the unanimous approval of the members of the Special Committee.
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(b) The delegation of responsibility and authority to the Special Committee set forth in Section 4.2(a) shall not be revoked or modified at any time during the Disposition Period. The Special Committee and the Company’s Board of Directors shall not owe fiduciary duties to the Holders (in their capacity as such) and shall not have any liability to the Holders for any actions taken or not taken in connection with the matters set forth herein. No provision of this Agreement shall require the Special Committee or the Company’s Board of Directors or any members thereof to expend or risk its, his or her own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any duties hereunder or in the exercise of any rights or powers.
(c) The Holders shall be intended third-party beneficiaries of the provisions of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specifically enforce the terms hereof; provided, that under no circumstances shall the rights of Holders as third-party beneficiaries pursuant to this Section 4 be enforceable by such Holders or any other Person acting for or on their behalf other than the Special Committee. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Special Committee has the sole power and authority to act on behalf of the Holders in enforcing any of their rights hereunder.
(d) During the Disposition Period, the Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to, if and to the extent the Special Committee authorizes the execution and delivery of a Disposition Agreement, effectuate the Disposition of the Potentially Transferable Assets pursuant to such Disposition Agreement in accordance with its terms.
(e) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall not, and shall not permit its Affiliates to (i) amend any Disposition Agreement, or waive any right thereunder, if such amendment or waiver materially and adversely affects the rights of the Holders to receive the CVR Payment Amounts hereunder, unless the Special Committee consents to each such amendment or waiver, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned; (ii) assign any Disposition Agreement without the consent of the Special Committee, unless such assignee agrees to assume all obligations under, and agrees to be bound in writing to the terms of, a Disposition Agreement and this Agreement; or (iii) intentionally take any action for the principal purpose of reducing the amount of CVR Payment Amounts payable under this Agreement.
(f) Except as set forth in Section 3, and this Section 4, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall have any obligation or liability whatsoever to any Person relating to or in connection with any action, or failure to act, with respect to the sale of the Potentially Transferable Assets.
(g) Following the Disposition Period, the Company shall be permitted to take any action in respect of the Potentially Transferable Assets in order to satisfy any wind-down and termination Liabilities of the Potentially Transferable Assets.
4.3 Prohibited Actions. Unless approved by the Special Committee, prior to the end of the Disposition Period, the Company shall not grant any lien, security interest, pledge or similar interest in any Potentially Transferable Assets or any Net Proceeds. Unless approved by the Special Committee, prior to end of the Disposition Period, the Company shall not, and shall not permit its Affiliates to, grant, assign, transfer or otherwise convey any Potentially Transferable Assets (including any option to obtain rights) to any third party.
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4.4 Books and Records. Until the end of the CVR Term, the Company shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, keep true, complete and accurate records in sufficient detail to enable the Rights Agent to confirm each CVR Payment payable hereunder in accordance with the terms specified in this Agreement.
4.5 Audits. Until the expiration of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, the Company shall keep complete and accurate records in sufficient detail to permit the Special Committee to confirm the accuracy of the payments due hereunder. The Special Committee shall each have the right to cause an independent accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Company to audit such records for the sole purpose of confirming payments for a period covering not more than the date commencing with the first CVR Payment Period in which the Company or its Affiliates receives Gross Proceeds and ending on the last day of the CVR Term. The Company may require such accounting firm to execute a reasonable confidentiality agreement with the Company prior to commencing the audit. The accounting firm shall disclose to the Special Committee, as applicable, only whether the reports are correct or not and the specific details concerning any discrepancies. No other information shall be shared. Such audits may be conducted during normal business hours upon reasonable prior written notice to the Company, but no more than frequently than once per year. No accounting period of the Company shall be subject to audit more than one time by the Special Committee, as applicable, unless after an accounting period has been audited by the Special Committee, as applicable, the Company restates its financial results for such accounting period, in which event the Special Committee, as applicable, may conduct a second audit of such accounting period in accordance with this Section 4.5. Adjustments (including remittances of underpayments or overpayments disclosed by such audit) shall be made by the Parties to reflect the results of such audit, which adjustments shall be paid promptly following receipt of an invoice therefor. The Special Committee, as applicable, shall bear the full cost and expense of such audit unless such audit discloses an underpayment by the Company of twenty percent (20%) or more of the CVR Payments due under this Agreement for the audited period, in which case the Company shall bear the full cost and expense of such audit.
Section 5.
AMENDMENTS
5.1 Amendments Without Consent of Holders or Rights Agent.
(a) The Company, at any time and from time to time, may (without the consent of any Person, other than the Rights Agent with such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) enter into one or more amendments to this Agreement for any of the following purposes:
(i) to evidence the appointment of another Person as a successor Rights Agent and the assumption by any successor Rights Agent of the covenants and obligations of the Rights Agent herein in accordance with the provisions hereof;
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(ii) subject to Section 6.1, to evidence the succession of another person to the Company and the assumption of any such successor of the covenants of the Company outlined herein in a transaction contemplated by Section 6.1;
(iii) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company and the Rights Agent will consider to be for the protection and benefit of the Holders; provided that in each case, such provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders;
(iv) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in this Agreement, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement; provided that, in each case, such provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders;
(v) as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the CVRs are not subject to registration under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws;
(vi) as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the Company is not required to produce a prospectus or an admission document in order to comply with applicable Law;
(vii) to cancel the applicable CVRs (i) in the event that any Holder has abandoned its rights in accordance with Section 2.6, or (ii) following a transfer of such CVRs to the Company or its Affiliates in accordance with Section 2.2 or Section 2.3;
(viii) as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the Company complies with applicable Law; or
(ix) to effect any other amendment to this Agreement for the purpose of adding, eliminating or changing any provisions of this Agreements, provided that, in each case, such additions, eliminations or changes do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders.
(b) Promptly after the execution by the Company of any amendment pursuant to this Section 5.1, the Company will (or will cause the Rights Agent to) notify the Holders in general terms of the substance of such amendment in accordance with Section 7.2.
5.2 Amendments with Consent of Holders.
(a) In addition to any amendments to this Agreement that may be made by the Company without the consent of any Holder pursuant to Section 5.1, with the consent of the Acting Holders (whether evidenced in a writing or taken at a meeting of the Holders), the Company and the Rights Agent may enter into one or more amendments to this Agreement for the purpose of adding, eliminating or amending any provisions of this Agreement, even if such addition, elimination or amendment is adverse to the interests of the Holders.
(b) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Rights Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, the Company will (or will cause the Rights Agent to) notify the Holders in general terms of the substance of such amendment in accordance with Section 7.2.
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5.3 Effect of Amendments. Upon the execution of any amendment under this Section 5 this Agreement will be modified in accordance therewith, such amendment will form a part of this Agreement for all purposes and every Holder will be bound thereby. As a condition precedent to the execution of any supplement or amendment to this Agreement, the Company shall deliver the Rights Agent a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 5 and the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights Agent shall not be required to execute any supplement or amendment to this Agreement that it has determined would adversely affect its own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under this Agreement. No supplement or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless duly executed by the Rights Agent.
Section 6.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
6.1 The Company May Not Consolidate, Etc.
During the CVR Term, the Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:
(a) The Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person that acquires by conveyance or transfer, or that leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety (the “Surviving Person”) shall expressly assume payment of amounts on all CVRs (when and as due hereunder) and the performance of every duty and covenant of this Agreement on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; and
(b) The Company has delivered to the Rights Agent an Officer’s Certificate, stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease complies with this Section 6 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
6.2 Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of or merger by the Company with or into any other Person, or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 6.1, the Surviving Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement with the same effect as if the Surviving Person had been named as the Company herein.
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Section 7.
MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 Notices to Rights Agent and to the Company. All notices, requests and other communications (each, a “Notice”) to any party hereunder shall be in writing. Such Notice shall be deemed given on the date of delivery, if delivered in person, by FedEx or other internationally recognized overnight courier service (upon proof of delivery), or (except with respect to any Person other than the Rights Agent) by e-mail (upon confirmation of receipt) prior to 5:00 p.m. in the time zone of the receiving party or on the next Business Day, if delivered after 5:00 p.m. in the time zone of the receiving party, addressed as follows:
if to the Rights Agent, to:
Computershare Inc.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
150 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
Attention: Client Services
if to the Company, to:
Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.
535 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Attention: Scott Coiante
Email Address: scott.coiante@aprea.com
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Geoffrey W. Levin and Gabriel Saltarelli
Email Address: glevin@sidley.com and gsaltarelli@sidley.com
or to such other address or email address as such Party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other Party.
7.2 Notice to Holders. All Notices required to be given to the Holders will be given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder at such Holder’s address as set forth in the CVR Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the sending of such Notice, if any, and will be deemed given on the date of mailing. In any case where notice to the Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such Notice, nor any defect in any Notice so mailed, to any particular Holder will affect the sufficiency of such Notice with respect to other Holders.
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7.3 Entire Agreement. As between the Company and the Rights Agent, this Agreement and the Fee Schedule constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, notwithstanding the reference to any other agreement herein, including the Merger Agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
7.4 Funds. All funds received by the Rights Agent under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by the Rights Agent in the performance of services hereunder (the “Funds”) shall be held by the Rights Agent as agent for the Company and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by the Rights Agent in its name as agent for the Company. Until paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Rights Agent will hold the Funds through such accounts in: deposit accounts of commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). The Rights Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit made by the Rights Agent in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank or financial institution or other Person. The Rights Agent may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits. The Rights Agent shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to the Company, any Holder or any other Person
7.5 Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent. Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the stock transfer or other shareholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 3.3. The purchase of all or substantially all of the Rights Agent’s assets employed in the performance of transfer agent activities shall be deemed a merger or consolidation for purposes of this Section 7.4.
7.6 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon, and will be enforceable by and inure solely to the benefit of, the Holders, the Company and the Rights Agent and their respective successors and assigns. Except for assignments pursuant to Section 7.4, the Rights Agent may not assign this Agreement without the Company’s prior written consent. Subject to Section 5.1(a)(ii) and Section 6 hereof, the Company may assign, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any other party, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to one or more of its Affiliates or to any Person with whom the Company is merged or consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Company shall be a party (each, an “Assignee”); provided, that in connection with any assignment to an Assignee, the Company shall agree to remain liable for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder (to the extent the Company exists following such assignment). The Company or an Assignee may not otherwise assign this Agreement without the prior consent of the Acting Holders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Any attempted assignment of this Agreement in violation of this Section 7.6 will be void ab initio and of no effect.
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7.7 Benefits of Agreement; Action by Acting Holders. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, will give to any Person (other than the Company, the Rights Agent, the Holders and their respective permitted successors and assigns hereunder) any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent, the Holders and their permitted successors and assigns. The Holders will have no rights hereunder except as are expressly set forth herein. Except for the rights of the Rights Agent set forth herein, the Acting Holders will have the sole right, on behalf of all Holders, by virtue of or under any provision of this Agreement, to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity with respect to this Agreement, and no individual Holder or other group of Holders will be entitled to exercise such rights.
7.8 Governing Law. This Agreement and the CVRs will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such state.
7.9 Jurisdiction. In any action or proceeding between any of the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the parties hereto: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, County of New Castle, or, if under applicable Law exclusive jurisdiction is vested in the Federal courts, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (and appellate courts thereof); (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 7.9; (c) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts; (d) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any Party; and (e) agrees that service of process upon such Party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 of this Agreement.
7.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATION OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.10.
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7.11 Severability Clause. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application of any such provision to any Person or set of circumstances, is for any reason determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement, and the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or unenforceable, will not be impaired or otherwise affected and will continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law. Upon such a determination, the parties hereto will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible; provided, however, that if an excluded provision shall affect the rights, immunities, liabilities, duties or obligations of the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately upon written Notice to the Company.
7.12 Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement or any counterpart may be executed and delivered by facsimile copies or delivered by electronic communications by portable document format (.pdf), each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement will become effective when each party hereto will have received a counterpart hereof signed by the other party hereto. Until and unless each party has received a counterpart hereof signed by the other party hereto, this Agreement will have no effect and no party will have any right or obligation hereunder (whether by virtue of any oral or written agreement or any other communication).
7.13 Termination. This Agreement will automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect and the parties hereto will have no further liability hereunder, and the CVRs will expire without any consideration or compensation therefor, upon the expiration of the CVR Term, except as provided in Section 3.2 and Section 4.5. The termination of this Agreement will not affect or limit the right of Holders to receive the CVR Payments under Section 2.4 to the extent earned prior to the termination of this Agreement, and the provisions applicable thereto will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement until such CVR Payments have been made, if applicable.
7.14 Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, none of the Rights Agent, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control including acts of God, pandemics (including COVID-19), terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunctions of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war or civil unrest.
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7.15 Construction.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: singular terms will include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender will include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender will include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender will include the masculine and feminine genders.
(b) As used in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, will not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather will be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
(c) The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, will not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and will not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(d) Unless stated otherwise, “Article” and “Section” followed by a number or letter mean and refer to the specified Article or Section of this Agreement. The term “Agreement” and any reference in this Agreement to this Agreement or any other agreement or document includes, and is a reference to, this Agreement or such other agreement or document as it may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or novated and includes all schedules to it.
(e) A period of time is to be computed as beginning on the day following the event that began the period and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the period, if the last day of the period is a Business Day, or at 5:00 p.m. on the next Business Day if the last day of the period is not a Business Day.
(f) Any reference in this Agreement to a date or time shall be deemed to be such date or time in New York City, United States, unless otherwise specified. The parties hereto and the Company have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and the Company and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Person by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
(g) All references herein to “$” are to United States Dollars.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
| APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page – Contingent Value Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
| COMPUTERSHARE INC. | ||
| COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC. STOCKHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT
APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
THIS SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 16, 2022, is made by and among Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned holder (“Stockholder”) of shares of capital stock (the “Shares”) of Parent.
WHEREAS, Parent, ATR Merger Sub I Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“First Merger Sub”), ATR Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Second Merger Sub”), and the Company, have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated of even date herewith (the “Merger Agreement”), providing for the merger of First Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “First Merger”) and the merger of the Company with and into Second Merger Sub (the “Second Merger” and, together with the First Merger, the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, Stockholder beneficially owns and has sole or shared voting power with respect to the number of Shares, and holds options to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock (“Parent Options”) and/or restricted stock units to acquire shares of Parent Common Stock (“Parent Restricted Stock Units”), in each case in the number of Shares indicated opposite Stockholder’s name on Schedule 1 attached hereto;
WHEREAS, as an inducement and a condition to the willingness of Parent, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement, and in consideration of the substantial expenses incurred and to be incurred by them in connection therewith, Stockholder has agreed to enter into and perform this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of, and as a condition to, Parent, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub and the Company entering into the Merger Agreement and proceeding with the transactions contemplated thereby, and in consideration of the substantial expenses incurred and to be incurred by them in connection therewith, Stockholder, Parent and the Company agree as follows:
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| 1. | Agreement to Vote Shares. Stockholder agrees that, prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 2 below), at any meeting of the stockholders of Parent or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or in connection with any written consent of the stockholders of Parent, with respect to the Parent Stockholder Matters, Stockholder shall: |
| a) | appear at such meeting or otherwise cause the Shares and any New Shares (as defined in Section 3 below) to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum; |
| b) | from and after the date hereof until the Expiration Date, vote (or cause to be voted), or deliver a written consent (or cause a written consent to be delivered) covering all of the Shares and any New Shares that Stockholder shall be entitled to so vote: (i) in favor of the Parent Stockholder Matters and any matter that could reasonably be expected to facilitate the Parent Stockholder Matters; (ii) against any proposal to remove the limitation initially set at the discretion of holders of Parent Convertible Preferred Stock between 4.99% and 19.99% of the number of shares of Parent Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock upon conversion (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”) restricting such holders from beneficially owning a number of shares of Parent Common Stock in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or any agreement, transaction or other matter that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to, impede, interfere with, delay, postpone, discourage or materially and adversely affect the consummation of the Parent Stockholder Matters; and (iii) to approve any proposal to adjourn or postpone the meeting to a later date, if there are not sufficient votes for the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters on the date on which such meeting is held. Stockholder shall not take or commit or agree to take any action inconsistent with the foregoing. |
| 2. | Expiration Date. As used in this Agreement, the term “Expiration Date” shall mean the earlier to occur of (a) the effective time of the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters or (b) upon mutual written agreement of the parties to terminate this Agreement. |
| 3. | Additional Purchases. Stockholder agrees that any shares of capital stock or other equity securities of Parent that Stockholder purchases or with respect to which Stockholder otherwise acquires sole or shared voting power (including any proxy) after the execution of this Agreement and prior to the Expiration Date, whether by the exercise of any Parent Options, settlement of Parent Restricted Stock Units or otherwise, including, without limitation, by gift, succession, in the event of a stock split or as a dividend or distribution of any Shares (“New Shares”), shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted the Shares. |
| 4. | Share Transfers. From and after the date hereof until the Expiration Date, Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) sell, assign, transfer, tender, or otherwise dispose of (including, without limitation, by the creation of any Liens (as defined in Section 5(c) below)) any Shares or any New Shares acquired, (b) deposit any Shares or New Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or similar arrangement with respect to such Shares or New Shares or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto (other than this Agreement), (c) enter into any Contract, option, commitment or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of (including, without limitation, by the creation of any Liens) any Shares or New Shares, or (d) take any action that would make any representation or warranty of Stockholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the effect of preventing or disabling Stockholder from performing Stockholder’s obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stockholder may make (1) transfers by will or by operation of Law or other transfers for estate-planning purposes, in which case this Agreement shall bind the transferee, (2) with respect to Stockholder’s Parent Options which expire on or prior to the Expiration Date, transfers, sale, or other disposition of Shares to Parent as payment for the (i) exercise price of Stockholder’s Parent Options and (ii) taxes applicable to the exercise of Stockholder’s Parent Options, (3) with respect to Stockholder’s Parent Restricted Stock Units, (i) transfers for the net settlement of Stockholder’s Parent Restricted Stock Units settled in Shares (to pay any tax withholding obligations) or (ii) transfers for receipt upon settlement of Stockholder’s Parent Restricted Stock Units, and the sale of a sufficient number of such Shares acquired upon settlement of such securities as would generate sales proceeds sufficient to pay the aggregate taxes payable by Stockholder as a result of such settlement, (4) if Stockholder is a partnership or limited liability company, a transfer to one or more partners or members of Stockholder or to an Affiliated corporation, trust or other Entity under common control with Stockholder, or if Stockholder is a trust, a transfer to a beneficiary, provided that in each such case the applicable transferee has signed a voting agreement in substantially the form hereof, (5) transfers to another holder of the capital stock of Parent that has signed a voting agreement in substantially the form hereof, and (6) transfers, sales or other dispositions as the Company may otherwise agree in writing in its sole discretion. If any voluntary or involuntary transfer of any Shares covered hereby shall occur (including a transfer or disposition permitted by Section 4(1) through Section 4(6), sale by a Stockholder’s trustee in bankruptcy, or a sale to a purchaser at any creditor’s or court sale), the transferee (which term, as used herein, shall include any and all transferees and subsequent transferees of the initial transferee) shall take and hold such Shares subject to all of the restrictions, Liabilities and rights under this Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding that such transferee is not a Stockholder and has not executed a counterpart hereof or joinder hereto. |
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| 5. | Representations and Warranties of Stockholder. Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to Parent and the Company as follows: |
| a) | if Stockholder is an Entity: (i) Stockholder is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, organized or constituted, (ii) Stockholder has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform Stockholder’s obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, performance of Stockholder’s obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Stockholder have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Stockholder and no other proceedings on the part of Stockholder are necessary to authorize this Agreement, or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, or if Stockholder is an individual, Stockholder has the legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform Stockholder’s obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; |
| b) | this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of Stockholder and, to Stockholder’s knowledge and assuming this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company and Parent, constitutes a valid and binding agreement with respect to Stockholder, enforceable against Stockholder in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity whether applied in a court of Law or a court of equity and by bankruptcy, insolvency and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally; |
| c) | Stockholder beneficially owns the number of Shares indicated opposite Stockholder’s name on Schedule 1, and will own any New Shares, free and clear of any liens, claims, charges or other encumbrances or restrictions of any kind whatsoever (“Liens”), and has sole or shared, and otherwise unrestricted, voting power with respect to such Shares or New Shares and none of the Shares or New Shares is subject to any voting trust or other agreement, arrangement or restriction with respect to the voting of the Shares or the New Shares, except as contemplated by this Agreement; |
| d) | to the knowledge of Stockholder, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Stockholder does not, and the performance by Stockholder of his, her or its obligations hereunder and the compliance by Stockholder with any provisions hereof will not, violate or conflict with, result in a material breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a material default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of any Liens on any Shares or New Shares pursuant to, any agreement, instrument, note, bond, mortgage, Contract, lease, license, permit or other obligation or any order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to which Stockholder is a party or by which Stockholder is bound, or any Law, statute, rule or regulation to which Stockholder is subject or, in the event that Stockholder is a corporation, partnership, trust or other Entity, any bylaw or other Organizational Document of Stockholder; except for any of the foregoing as would not reasonably be expected to prevent or delay the performance by Stockholder of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect; |
| e) | the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Stockholder does not, and the performance of this Agreement by Stockholder does not and will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Body or regulatory authority by Stockholder except for applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act, and except where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not prevent or delay the performance by Stockholder of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect; |
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| f) | no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary is entitled to a fee or commission from Parent or the Company in respect of this Agreement based upon any Contract made by or on behalf of Stockholder; and |
| g) | as of the date of this Agreement, there is no Legal Proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Stockholder, threatened against Stockholder that would reasonably be expected to prevent or delay the performance by Stockholder of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect. |
| 6. | Irrevocable Proxy. Subject to the final sentence of this Section 6, by execution of this Agreement, Stockholder does hereby appoint the Company and any of its designees with full power of substitution and resubstitution, as Stockholder’s true and lawful attorney and irrevocable proxy, to the fullest extent of Stockholder’s rights with respect to the Shares, to vote and exercise all voting and related rights, including the right to sign Stockholder’s name (solely in its capacity as a stockholder) to any stockholder consent, if Stockholder is unable to perform or otherwise does not perform his, her or its obligations under this Agreement, with respect to such Shares solely with respect to the matters set forth in Section 1 hereof. Stockholder intends this proxy to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest hereunder until the Expiration Date, hereby revokes any proxy previously granted by Stockholder with respect to the Shares and represents that none of such previously-granted proxies are irrevocable. The irrevocably proxy and power of attorney granted herein shall survive the death or incapacity of Stockholder and the obligations of Stockholder shall be binding on Stockholder’s heirs, personal representatives, successors, transferees and assigns. Stockholder hereby agrees not to grant any subsequent powers of attorney or proxies with respect to any Shares with respect to the matters set forth in Section 1 until after the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this irrevocable proxy shall automatically terminate upon the Expiration Date. |
| 7. | Other Remedies; Specific Performance. Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with, and not exclusive of, any other remedy conferred hereby, or by Law or equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof without the need of posting bond in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at Law or in equity. |
| 8. | Directors and Officers. This Agreement shall apply to Stockholder solely in Stockholder’s capacity as a stockholder of Parent and/or holder of Parent Options and/or Parent Restricted Stock Units and not in Stockholder’s capacity as a director, officer or employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or in Stockholder’s capacity as a trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall (or require Stockholder to attempt to) limit or restrict a director and/or officer of Parent in the exercise of his or her fiduciary duties as a director and/or officer of Parent or in his or her capacity as a trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust or prevent or be construed to create any obligation on the part of any director and/or officer of Parent or any trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or trust from taking any action in his or her capacity as such director, officer, trustee and/or fiduciary. |
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| 9. | No Ownership Interest. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in the Company any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of or with respect to any Shares. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Shares shall remain vested in and belong to Stockholder, and the Company does not have authority to manage, direct, superintend, restrict, regulate, govern, or administer any of the policies or operations of Parent or exercise any power or authority to direct Stockholder in the voting of any of the Shares, except as otherwise provided herein. |
| 10. | Termination. This Agreement shall terminate and shall have no further force or effect as of the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided, however, nothing set forth in this Section 10 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall relieve any party from liability for any fraud or for any willful and material breach of this Agreement prior to termination hereof. |
| 11. | Further Assurances. Stockholder shall, from time to time, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such additional or further consents, documents and other instruments as the Company or Parent may reasonably request for the purpose of effectively carrying out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions. |
| 12. | Disclosure. Stockholder hereby agrees that Parent and the Company may publish and disclose in any registration statement, any prospectus filed with any regulatory authority in connection with the Contemplated Transactions and any related documents filed with such regulatory authority and as otherwise required by Law, Stockholder’s identity and ownership of Shares and the nature of Stockholder’s commitments, arrangements and understandings under this Agreement and may further file this Agreement as an exhibit to any registration statement or prospectus or in any other filing made by Parent or the Company as required by Law or the terms of the Merger Agreement, including with the SEC or other regulatory authority, relating to the Contemplated Transactions, all subject to prior review and an opportunity to comment by Stockholder’s counsel. Prior to the Closing, Stockholder shall not, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its representatives not to, directly or indirectly, make any press release, public announcement or other public communication that criticizes or disparages this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or any of the Contemplated Transactions, without the prior written consent of Parent and the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not limit or affect any actions taken by Stockholder (or any affiliated officer or director of Stockholder) that would be permitted to be taken by Stockholder, Parent or the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement; provided, further, that the foregoing shall not affect any actions of Stockholder the prohibition of which would be prohibited under applicable Law. |
| 13. | Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery), by facsimile transmission (providing confirmation of transmission) or by electronic transmission (providing confirmation of transmission) to the Company or Parent, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 8.8 of the Merger Agreement and to Stockholder at his, her or its address or email address (providing confirmation of transmission) set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice). |
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| 14. | Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to limit such term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases or to replace such term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the parties hereto agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term or provision. |
| 15. | Assignability. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure solely to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any of a party’s rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by such party without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment or delegation of this Agreement or any of such rights or obligations by such party without the other party’s prior written consent shall be void and of no effect. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto) any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. |
| 16. | No Waivers. No waivers of any breach of this Agreement extended by the Company or Parent to Stockholder shall be construed as a waiver of any rights or remedies of the Company or Parent, as applicable, with respect to any other stockholder of Parent who has executed an agreement substantially in the form of this Agreement with respect to Shares held or subsequently held by such stockholder or with respect to any subsequent breach of Stockholder or any other stockholder of Parent. No waiver of any provisions hereof by any party shall be deemed a waiver of any other provisions hereof by any such party, nor shall any such waiver be deemed a continuing waiver of any provision hereof by such party. |
| 17. | Applicable Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the state of Delaware, regardless of the Laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of Laws. In any action or Legal Proceeding between any of the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of the parties: (i) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware or to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or Legal Proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with clause (i) of this Section 17, (iii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or Legal Proceeding in such courts, (iv) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party, and (v) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or Legal Proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 13 of this Agreement. |
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| 18. | Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY. |
| 19. | No Agreement Until Executed. Irrespective of negotiations among the parties or the exchanging of drafts of this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute or be deemed to evidence a Contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding between the parties hereto unless and until (a) the Parent Board has approved, for purposes of any applicable anti-takeover Laws and regulations and any applicable provision of the certificate of incorporation of Parent, the Merger Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, (b) the Merger Agreement is executed by all parties thereto, and (c) this Agreement is executed by all parties hereto. |
| 20. | Entire Agreement; Counterparts; Exchanges by Facsimile. This Agreement and the other agreements referred to in this Agreement constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of a fully executed Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by all parties by facsimile or electronic transmission via “.pdf” shall be sufficient to bind the parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. |
| 21. | Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented or modified, and no provisions hereof may be modified or waived, except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each party hereto; provided, however, that the rights or obligations of any Stockholder may be waived, amended or otherwise modified in a writing signed by Parent (for the avoidance of doubt, with the prior written approval required by Section 4.1 of Parent’s Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock), the Company and Stockholder. |
| 22. | Fees and Expenses. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Merger Agreement or any other agreement contemplated by the Merger Agreement to which a party hereto is a party, each party hereto shall bear its own expenses in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. |
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| 23. | Voluntary Execution of Agreement. This Agreement is executed voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the parties. Each of the parties hereby acknowledges, represents and warrants that (i) it has read and fully understood this Agreement and the implications and consequences thereof; (ii) it has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of its own choice, or it has made a voluntary and informed decision to decline to seek such counsel; and (iii) it is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement. |
| 24. | Construction. |
| a) | In this Agreement, whenever the context requires: the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine genders. |
| b) | The parties hereto agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. |
| c) | As used in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” |
| d) | Except as otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to “Sections,” and “Schedules” are intended to refer to Sections of this Agreement and Schedules to this Agreement, respectively. |
| e) | The underlined headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. |
[Remainder of Page has Intentionally Been Left Blank]
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EXECUTED as of the date first above written.
| [STOCKHOLDER] | ||
| Signature: | ||
| Name (if an Entity): | ||
| Title (if an Entity): | ||
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
EXECUTED as of the date first above written.
| APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
EXECUTED as of the date first above written.
| ATRIN PHARMACEUTICALS INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
SCHEDULE 1
| Name, Address and Email Address of Stockholder | Shares
of | Parent | Parent | |||
Schedule 1-1
Exhibit 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF PREFERENCES,
RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS
OF
SERIES A NON-VOTING CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
Pursuant to Section 151 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
THE UNDERSIGNED DOES HEREBY CERTIFY, on behalf of Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), that the following resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), at a meeting duly called and held on May 14, 2022, which resolution provides for the creation of a series of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, which is designated as “Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock,” with the preferences, rights and limitations set forth therein relating to dividends, conversion, redemption, dissolution and distribution of assets of the Corporation.
WHEREAS: the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) provides for a class of its authorized stock known as preferred stock, consisting of 40,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), issuable from time to time in one or more series.
RESOLVED: that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, (i) a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation be, and hereby is authorized by the Board of Directors, (ii) the Board of Directors hereby authorizes the issuance of 2,950,000 shares of “Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock” pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation, ATR Merger Sub I Inc., ATR Merger Sub II LLC and Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”) and (iii) the Board of Directors hereby fixes the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such shares of Preferred Stock, in addition to any provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation that are applicable to the Preferred Stock of all classes and series, as follows:
TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK
1. Definitions. For the purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Alternate Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
“Attribution Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York are generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Buy-In” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.4.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and stock of any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Conversion Ratio” and “Conversion” shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 6.2.
“Conversion Shares” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof.
“DTC” means the Depository Trust Company.
“DWAC Delivery” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Fair Value” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.3.
“Fundamental Transaction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
“Holder” means a holder of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock.
“Liquidation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.
“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
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“Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
“Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.1.
“Stockholder Approval” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for business.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
2. Designation, Amount and Par Value. The series of Preferred Stock shall be designated as the Corporation’s Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock”) and the number of shares so designated shall be 2,950,000. Each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.001 per share. The shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall initially be issued and maintained in the form of securities held in book-entry form and the DTC or its nominee shall initially be the sole registered holder of the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock.
3. Dividends. Holders shall be entitled to receive, and the Corporation shall pay, dividends on shares of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis, without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) equal to and in the same form, and in the same manner, as dividends (other than dividends on shares of the Common Stock payable in the form of Common Stock) actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends (other than dividends payable in the form of Common Stock) are paid on shares of the Common Stock. Other than as set forth in the previous sentence, no other dividends shall be paid on shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, and the Corporation shall pay no dividends (other than dividends payable in the form of Common Stock) on shares of the Common Stock unless it simultaneously complies with the previous sentence.
3
4. Voting Rights.
4.1 Except as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise required by the DGCL, the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights. However, as long as any shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock: (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock or alter or amend this Certificate of Designation, amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of the Corporation, or file any articles of amendment, certificate of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of Preferred Stock, if such action would adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, regardless of whether any of the foregoing actions shall be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise, (ii) issue further shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock or increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the number of authorized shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, (iii) prior to the Stockholder Approval, consummate either: (A) any Fundamental Transaction or (B) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity or any stock sale to, or other business combination in which the stockholders of the Corporation immediately before such transaction do not hold at least a majority of the capital stock of the Corporation immediately after such transaction or (iv) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing. Holders of shares of Common Stock acquired upon the conversion of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the same voting rights as each other holder of Common Stock except that such holders may not vote such shares upon the proposal for Stockholder Approval in accordance with Rule 5635 of the listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.
4.2 Any vote required or permitted under Section 4.1 may be taken at a meeting of the Holders or through the execution of an action by written consent in lieu of such meeting, provided that the consent is executed by Holders representing a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, unless a higher percentage is required by the DGCL, in which case the written consent of the Holders of not less than such higher percentage shall be required.
5. Rank; Liquidation.
5.1 The Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall rank on parity with the Common Stock as to distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
5.2 Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation”), each Holder shall be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Corporation the same amount that a holder of Common Stock would receive if the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock were fully converted (disregarding for such purpose any Beneficial Ownership Limitations) to Common Stock based on the Conversion Ratio, which amounts shall be paid pari passu with payment to all holders of Common Stock, plus an additional amount equal to any dividends declared but unpaid to such shares. For the avoidance of any doubt, a Fundamental Transaction shall not be deemed a Liquidation unless the Corporation expressly declares that such Fundamental Transaction shall be treated as if it were a Liquidation.
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6. Conversion.
6.1 Conversion at Option of Holder. Subject to Section 6.3 and Section 6.4.3, each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time following 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the date that the Corporation’s stockholders approve the conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, as set forth in the Merger Agreement (the “Stockholder Approval”), at the option of the Holder thereof, into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Ratio. Holders shall effect conversions and cash settlement requests under Section 6.4.3 by providing the Corporation with the form of conversion notice attached hereto as Annex A (a “Notice of Conversion”), duly completed and executed. Provided the Corporation’s transfer agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer program, the Notice of Conversion may specify, at the Holder’s election, whether the applicable Conversion Shares shall be credited to the account of the Holder’s prime broker with DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system (a “DWAC Delivery”). The “Conversion Date”, or the date on which a conversion shall be deemed effective, shall be defined as the Trading Day that the Notice of Conversion, completed and executed, is sent via email to, and received during regular business hours by, the Corporation; provided, that the original certificate(s) (if any) representing such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion, are received by the Corporation within two (2) Trading Days thereafter. In all other cases, the Conversion Date shall be defined as the Trading Day on which the original certificate(s) (if any) representing such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion, are received by the Corporation. The calculations set forth in the Notice of Conversion shall control in the absence of manifest or mathematical error.
6.2 Conversion Ratio. The “Conversion Ratio” for each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be 10 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion (the “Conversion”) of each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (corresponding to a ratio of 10:1), subject to adjustment as provided herein.
6.3 Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Corporation shall not effect any conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, to the extent that, after giving effect to an attempted conversion set forth on an applicable Notice of Conversion, such Holder (together with any other Person whose beneficial ownership of Common Stock would be aggregated with the Holder’s for purposes of Section 13(d) or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission, including any “group” of which the Holder is a member (the foregoing, “Attribution Parties”)) would beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and its Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock subject to the Notice of Conversion with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, unconverted Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties, and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties that are subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise similar to the limitation contained herein. For purposes of this Section 6.3, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission. In addition, for purposes hereof, “group” has the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission. For purposes of this Section 6.3, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as stated in the most recent of the following: (A) the Corporation’s most recent periodic or annual filing with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Corporation that is filed with the Commission, or (C) a more recent notice by the Corporation or the Corporation’s transfer agent to the Holder setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. Upon the written request of a Holder (which may be by email), the Corporation shall, within three (3) Trading Days thereof, confirm in writing to such Holder (which may be via email) the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to any actual conversion or exercise of securities of the Corporation, including shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, by such Holder or its Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was last publicly reported or confirmed to the Holder. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall initially be between 4.9% and 19.9% (and the Holder shall have the discretion to set the percentage within this range) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Notice of Conversion (to the extent permitted pursuant to this Section 6.3). The Corporation shall be entitled to rely on representations made to it by the Holder in any Notice of Conversion regarding its Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, by written notice to the Corporation, (i) which will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such written notice is delivered to the Corporation, the Holder may reset the Beneficial Ownership Limitation percentage to a higher percentage, not to exceed 19.9%, to the extent then applicable and (ii) which will be effective immediately after such notice is delivered to the Corporation, the Holder may reset the Beneficial Ownership Limitation percentage to a lower percentage. Upon such a change by a Holder of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation may not be further amended by such Holder without first providing the minimum notice required by this Section 6.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time following notice of a Fundamental Transaction, the Holder may waive and/or change the Beneficial Ownership Limitation effective immediately upon written notice to the Corporation and may reinstitute a Beneficial Ownership Limitation at any time thereafter effective immediately upon written notice to the Corporation.
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6.4 Mechanics of Conversion.
6.4.1 Delivery of Certificate or Electronic Issuance. Upon Conversion, not later than three (3) Trading Days after the applicable Conversion Date, or if the Holder requests the issuance of physical certificate(s), three (3) Trading Days after receipt by the Corporation of the original certificate(s) representing such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Corporation shall either: (a) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder a physical certificate or certificates representing the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, or (b) in the case of a DWAC Delivery (if so requested by the Holder), electronically transfer such Conversion Shares by crediting the account of the Holder’s prime broker with DTC through its DWAC system. If in the case of any Notice of Conversion such certificate or certificates for the Conversion Shares are not delivered to or as directed by or, in the case of a DWAC Delivery, such shares are not electronically delivered to or as directed by, the applicable Holder by the Share Delivery Date, the applicable Holder shall be entitled to elect to rescind such Notice of Conversion by written notice to the Corporation at any time on or before its receipt of such certificate or certificates for Conversion Shares or electronic receipt of such shares, as applicable, in which event the Corporation shall promptly return to such Holder any original Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock certificate delivered to the Corporation and such Holder shall promptly return to the Corporation any Common Stock certificates or otherwise direct the return of any shares of Common Stock delivered to the Holder through the DWAC system, representing the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock unsuccessfully tendered for conversion to the Corporation.
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6.4.2 Obligation Absolute. Subject to Section 6.3 hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6.4.1 above, the Corporation’s obligation to issue and deliver the Conversion Shares upon conversion of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by a Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by such Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Corporation or any violation or alleged violation of law by such Holder or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Corporation to such Holder in connection with the issuance of such Conversion Shares. Subject to Section 6.3 hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6.4.1 above, in the event a Holder shall elect to convert any or all of its Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, the Corporation may not refuse conversion based on any claim that such Holder or anyone associated or affiliated with such Holder has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Holder, restraining and/or enjoining conversion of all or part of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock of such Holder shall have been sought and obtained by the Corporation, and the Corporation posts a surety bond for the benefit of such Holder in the amount of 150% of the value of the Conversion Shares into which would be converted the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock which is subject to such injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of the underlying dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to such Holder to the extent it obtains judgment. In the absence of such injunction, the Corporation shall, subject to Section 6.3 hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6.4.1 above, issue Conversion Shares upon a properly noticed conversion.
6.4.3 Cash Settlement. If, at any time after the earlier of (i) Stockholder Approval, and (ii) six months after the initial issuance of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (irrespective of whether the Stockholder Approval has been obtained or not), a Holder delivers to the Corporation a Notice of Conversion and the Corporation fails to deliver to a Holder such certificate or certificates, or electronically deliver (or cause its transfer agent to electronically deliver) such shares in the case of a DWAC Delivery, pursuant to Section 6.4.1 on or prior to the third (3rd) Trading Day after the Share Delivery Date applicable to such Conversion (other than a failure caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to the Corporation or due to the Beneficial Ownership Limitations), then, unless the Holder has rescinded the applicable Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6.4.1 above, the Corporation shall, at the written request of a Holder by submission of a Notice of Conversion, pay, out of funds legally available therefor, an amount equal to the Fair Value (defined below) of the shares of Common Stock that would have been issuable upon the conversion of such Holder’s shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock based on the Conversion Ratio, with such payment to be made within two (2) Business Days from the date of request by the Holder, whereupon the Corporation’s obligations to deliver the Conversion Shares applicable to such Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be extinguished. For purposes of this Section 6.4.3, the “Fair Value” means the last reported closing stock price of a share of Common Stock on the principal Trading Market on which the Common Stock is listed as of the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which the Notice of Conversion is delivered to the Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, the cash settlement provisions set forth in this Section 6.4.3 shall be available irrespective of the reason for the Corporation’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares (other than a failure caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to the Corporation), including due to the lack of obtaining Stockholder Approval, or due to applicable stock exchange rules.
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6.4.4 Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Certificates. If the Corporation fails to deliver to a Holder the applicable certificate or certificates or to effect a DWAC Delivery, as applicable, by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to Section 6.4.1 (other than a failure caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to the Corporation), and if after such Share Delivery Date such Holder is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of the Conversion Shares which such Holder was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Corporation shall (A) pay in cash to such Holder (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by such Holder) the amount by which (x) such Holder’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that such Holder was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of such Holder, either reissue (if surrendered) the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock submitted for conversion or deliver to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Corporation had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 6.4.1. For example, if a Holder purchases shares of Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock with respect to which the actual sale price (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Corporation shall be required to pay such Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Corporation written notice, within three (3) Trading Days after the occurrence of a Buy-In, indicating the amounts payable to such Holder in respect of such Buy-In together with applicable confirmations and other evidence reasonably requested by the Corporation. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Corporation’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the terms hereof or the cash settlement remedy set forth in Section 6.4.3; provided, however, that the Holder shall not be entitled to both (i) require the reissuance of the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock submitted for conversion for which such conversion was not timely honored and (ii) receive the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Corporation had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 6.4.1.
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6.4.5 Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Corporation covenants that at all times it will reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Holders of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, not less than such aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock as shall be issuable (taking into account the adjustments of Section 7) upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. The Corporation covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
6.4.6 Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Corporation shall pay the Holder a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional share of Common Stock in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Fair Value. Whether or not fractional shares would be issuable upon such conversion shall be determined on the basis of the total number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock the holder is at the time converting into Common Stock and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion.
6.4.7 Transfer Taxes. The issuance of certificates for shares of the Common Stock upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to any Holder for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such certificates, provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such certificate upon conversion in a name other than that of the registered Holder(s) of such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock and the Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificates unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.
6.4.8 Withholding Taxes. The Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold any tax that is required to be deducted or withheld under applicable law from any amounts payable hereunder. Any tax so withheld or deducted shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the Holder in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made.
6.5 Status as Stockholder. Upon each Conversion Date, (i) the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock being converted shall be deemed converted into shares of Common Stock and (ii) the Holder’s rights as a holder of such converted shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall cease and terminate, excepting only the right to receive certificates for such shares of Common Stock and to any remedies provided herein or otherwise available at law or in equity to such Holder because of a failure by the Corporation to comply with the terms of this Certificate of Designation. In all cases, the Holder shall retain all of its rights and remedies for the Corporation’s failure to convert Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. In no event shall the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock convert into shares of Common Stock prior to the Stockholder Approval.
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7. Certain Adjustments.
7.1 Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If the Corporation, at any time while this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock is outstanding: (A) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Corporation upon conversion of this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock) with respect to the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; (B) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares; or (C) combines (including by way of a reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then the Conversion Ratio shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) outstanding immediately after such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such event (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation). Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision or combination.
7.2 Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock is outstanding, (A) the Corporation effects any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another Person or any stock sale to or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, share exchange or scheme of arrangement) with or into another Person (other than such a transaction in which the Corporation is the surviving or continuing entity and its Common Stock is not exchanged for or converted into other securities, cash or property), (B) the Corporation effects any sale, lease, transfer or exclusive license of all or substantially all of its assets in one transaction or a series of related transactions, (C) any tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Corporation or another Person) is completed pursuant to which more than 50% of the Common Stock not held by the Corporation is exchanged for or converted into other securities, cash or property, or (D) the Corporation effects any reclassification of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant (other than as a result of a dividend, subdivision or combination covered by Section 7.1 above) to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property (in any such case, a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent conversion of this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock the Holders shall have the right to receive, in lieu of the right to receive Conversion Shares, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, the same kind and amount of securities, cash or property as it would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction if it had been, immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction, the holder of one share of Common Stock (the “Alternate Consideration”). For purposes of any such subsequent conversion, the determination of the Conversion Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Corporation shall adjust the Conversion Ratio in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holders shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any conversion of this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock following such Fundamental Transaction. To the extent necessary to effectuate the foregoing provisions, any successor to the Corporation or surviving entity in such Fundamental Transaction shall file a new certificate of designations with the same terms and conditions and issue to the Holders new preferred stock consistent with the foregoing provisions and evidencing the Holders’ right to convert such preferred stock into Alternate Consideration. The terms of any agreement to which the Corporation is a party and pursuant to which a Fundamental Transaction is effected shall include terms requiring any such successor or surviving entity to comply with the provisions of this Section 7.2 and ensuring that this Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (or any such replacement security) will be similarly adjusted upon any subsequent transaction analogous to a Fundamental Transaction. The Corporation shall cause to be delivered to each Holder, at its last address as it shall appear upon the stock books of the Corporation, written notice of any Fundamental Transaction at least 20 calendar days prior to the date on which such Fundamental Transaction is expected to become effective or close. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Corporation’s disposition of certain assets pursuant to the Corporation’s Contingent Value Rights Agreement dated as of May 16, 2022 by and between the Corporation and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as may be amended from time to time, shall not constitute a Fundamental Transaction.
7.3 Calculations. All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 7, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) issued and outstanding.
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8. Redemption. The shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise deal in such shares to the extent otherwise permitted hereby and by law, nor shall the foregoing limit the Holder’s rights under Section 6.4.3.
9. Transfer. A Holder may transfer such shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock in whole, or in part, together with the accompanying rights set forth herein, held by such holder without the consent of the Corporation; provided that such transfer is in compliance with applicable securities laws. The Corporation shall in good faith (i) do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and (ii) execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, in each case, as any holder of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Section 9.
10. Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock Register. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Corporation as it may designate by notice to the Holders in accordance with Section 11), a register for the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock, in which the Corporation shall record (i) the name, address, electronic mail address and facsimile number of each holder in whose name the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock have been issued and (ii) the name, address, electronic mail address and facsimile number of each transferee of any shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. The Corporation may treat the person in whose name any share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock is registered on the register as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes. The Corporation shall keep the register open and available at all times during business hours for inspection by any holder of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock or his, her or its legal representatives.
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11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by the provisions of this Certificate of Designation to be given to a holder of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the post office address last shown on the records of the Corporation, or given by electronic communication in compliance with the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and shall be deemed sent upon such mailing or electronic transmission.
12. Book-Entry; Certificates. The Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock will be issued in book-entry form; provided that, if a Holder requests that such Holder’s shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock be issued in certificated form, the Corporation will instead issue a stock certificate to such Holder representing such Holder’s shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. To the extent that any shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form, references herein to “certificates” shall instead refer to the book-entry notation relating to such shares.
13. Lost or Mutilated Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock Certificate. If a Holder’s Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock certificate shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated certificate, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, a new certificate for the shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such certificate, and of the ownership hereof reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation.
14. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision hereof shall be interpreted in a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision hereof is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, then such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or otherwise adversely affecting the remaining provisions hereof.
15. Status of Converted Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. If any shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock shall be converted or redeemed by the Corporation, such shares shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and shall no longer be designated as Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. has caused this Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to be duly executed by its Chief Executive Officer this 16th day of May, 2022.
| APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Christian S. Schade | |
| Name: Christian S. Schade | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
ANNEX A
NOTICE OF CONVERSION
(TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER IN ORDER TO CONVERT SHARES OF SERIES A NON-VOTING CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK OR, IF APPLICABLE, TO ELECT CASH SETTLEMENT OF SUCH SHARES)
The undersigned Holder hereby irrevocably elects to convert the number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock indicated below, [represented by stock certificate No(s). [_]] [represented in book-entry form], into shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), as of the date written below (or, if applicable, elects cash settlement of such shares pursuant to Section 6.4.3 of the Certificate of Designation). If securities are to be issued in the name of (or cash is to be paid to) a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. Capitalized terms utilized but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in that certain Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) filed by the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 16, 2022.
As of the date hereof, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the undersigned Holder (together with such Holder’s Attribution Parties), including the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock subject to this Notice of Conversion, but excluding the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, unconverted Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties, and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation (including any warrants) beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties that are subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise similar to the limitation contained in Section 6.3 of the Certificate of Designation, is [_]%. For purposes hereof, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission. In addition, for purposes hereof, “group” has the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission.
CONVERSION CALCULATIONS:
| Date to Effect Conversion: | |
| Number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock owned prior to Conversion: | |
| Number of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock to be Converted: | |
| Number of shares of Common Stock to be Issued: | |
| Address for delivery of physical certificates: |
For DWAC Delivery, please provide the following:
Broker no: ______________________
Account no: _____________________
| [HOLDER] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 10.1
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of May 16, 2022, by and among Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the several purchasers signatory hereto (each, including its successors and assigns, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 16, 2022, among the Company, ATR Merger Sub I Inc., a Delaware corporation, ATR Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Merger Agreement”).
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Purchasers agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Advice” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c).
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in the State of New York are generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and stock of any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Effective Date” means the date that the Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) is first declared effective by the Commission.
“Effectiveness Deadline” means, with respect to the Initial Registration Statement or the New Registration Statement, the thirtieth (30th) calendar day following the Filing Deadline (or, in the event the Commission reviews and has written comments to the Initial Registration Statement or the New Registration Statement, the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the Filing Deadline); provided, however, that if the Company is notified by the Commission that the Initial Registration Statement or the New Registration Statement will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the Effectiveness Deadline as to such Registration Statement shall be the fifth (5th) Trading Day following the date on which the Company is so notified if such date precedes the dates otherwise required above; provided, further, that if the Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the Commission is closed for business, the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the Commission is open for business.
“Effectiveness Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Filing Deadline” means, with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a), the ninetieth (90th) calendar day following the date of this Agreement or such later date agreed to by a majority of the Holders, provided, however, that if the Filing Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the Commission is closed for business, the Filing Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the Commission is open for business.
“Holder” or “Holders” means the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.
“Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Initial Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
“Merger Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“New Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Principal Market” means the Trading Market on which the Common Stock are primarily listed on and quoted for trading, which, as of the date of this Agreement, shall be the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
“Prior RRA” means the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of dated as of September, 20 2019, by and among the Company and the other parties thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021).
“Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430B promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
“Purchaser” or “Purchasers” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Registrable Securities” means (i) all of the Shares and (ii) any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing, provided, that the Holder has completed and delivered to the Company a Selling Shareholder Questionnaire; and provided, further, that with respect to a particular Holder, such Holder’s Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of the following: (A) a sale pursuant to a Registration Statement or Rule 144 under the Securities Act (in which case, only such security sold by the Holder shall cease to be a Registrable Security); or (B) becoming eligible for resale by the Holder under Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required thereunder and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions.
“Registration Statements” means any one or more registration statements of the Company filed under the Securities Act that covers the resale of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation the Initial Registration Statement, the New Registration Statement and any Remainder Registration Statements), amendments and supplements to such Registration Statements, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statements.
“Remainder Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.
“Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.
“SEC Guidance” means (i) any publicly-available written or oral guidance, comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff; provided, that any such oral guidance, comments, requirements or requests are reduced to writing by the Commission and (ii) the Securities Act.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Selling Shareholder Questionnaire” means a questionnaire in the form attached as Annex B hereto, or such other form of questionnaire as may reasonably be adopted by the Company from time to time.
“Series A Preferred Stock” means the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.
“Shares” means the shares of Common Stock (i) received by Purchasers as “Merger Consideration” as defined in the Merger Agreement or (ii) which may be issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock received by Purchasers as “Merger Consideration” as defined in the Merger Agreement.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Principal Market is open for business.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
2. Registration.
(a) On or prior to the Filing Deadline, the Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities not then registered on an existing and effective Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 or, if Rule 415 is not available for offers and sales of the Registrable Securities, by such other means of distribution of Registrable Securities as the Holders may reasonably specify (the “Initial Registration Statement”). The Initial Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 (except if the Company is then ineligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, in which case such registration shall be on such other form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering) subject to the provisions of Section 2(c) and shall contain (except if otherwise required pursuant to written comments received from the Commission upon a review of such Registration Statement) the “Plan of Distribution” section substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A (which may be modified to respond to comments, if any, provided by the Commission). Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in this Section 2, in the event the Commission informs the Company that all of the Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single registration statement, the Company agrees to promptly (i) inform each of the Holders thereof and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file amendments to the Initial Registration Statement as required by the Commission and/or (ii) withdraw the Initial Registration Statement and file a new registration statement (a “New Registration Statement”), in either case covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered by the Commission, on Form S-3 or, if the Company is ineligible to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, such other form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment or New Registration Statement, the Company shall be obligated to use its commercially reasonable efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the SEC Guidance, including without limitation, the Securities Act Rules Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations Question 612.09. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any SEC Guidance sets forth a limitation of the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement as a secondary offering (and notwithstanding that the Company used diligent efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all or a greater number of Registrable Securities), unless otherwise directed in writing by a Holder as to its Registrable Securities, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will first be reduced by Registrable Securities not acquired pursuant to the Merger Agreement (whether pursuant to registration rights or otherwise), and second by Registrable Securities represented by Shares applied to the Holders and the “Shareholders” (under the Prior RRA), if any, who seek to be included in such registration, on a pro rata basis based on the total number of Shares held by such Holders and “Shareholders”, subject to a determination by the Commission that certain Holders must be reduced first based on the number of Shares held by such Holders. In the event the Company amends the Initial Registration Statement or files a New Registration Statement, as the case may be, under clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission, as promptly as allowed by Commission or SEC Guidance provided to the Company or to registrants of securities in general, one or more registration statements on Form S-3 or such other form available to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the Initial Registration Statement, as amended, or the New Registration Statement (the “Remainder Registration Statements”).
(b) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as practicable and, with respect to the Initial Registration Statement or the New Registration Statement, as applicable, no later than the Effectiveness Deadline (including filing with the Commission a request for acceleration of effectiveness in accordance with Rule 461 promulgated under the Securities Act), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep each Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earlier of (i) such time as all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been publicly sold by the Holders; (ii) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement may be sold by non-affiliates without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions pursuant to Rule 144, without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144 or (iii) the expiration of two years from the Effective Date of such Registration Statement (the “Effectiveness Period”). The Company shall request effectiveness of a Registration Statement as of 4:00 P.M. New York City time on a Trading Day. The Company shall promptly notify the Holders via e-mail of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto. The Company shall, by 9:30 A.M. New York City time on the first Trading Day after the Effective Date, file a final Prospectus with the Commission, as required by Rule 424(b) and shall provide the Purchasers with copies of the final Prospectus to be used in connection with the sale or other disposition of the securities covered thereby. The Company shall promptly inform each Holder in writing if, at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company does not satisfy the conditions specified in Rule 172 and, as a result thereof, the Holder is required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with any disposition of Registrable Securities.
(c) Each Holder agrees to furnish to the Company a completed Selling Shareholder Questionnaire not more than five (5) Trading Days following the date of this Agreement. At least ten (10) Trading Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement for any registration under this Agreement, the Company will notify each Holder of the information the Company requires from that Holder other than the information contained in the Selling Shareholder Questionnaire, if any, which shall be completed and delivered to the Company promptly upon request and, in any event, within three (3) Trading Days prior to the applicable anticipated filing date. Each Holder further agrees that it shall not be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement or use the Prospectus for offers and resales of Registrable Securities at any time, unless such Holder has returned to the Company a completed and signed Selling Shareholder Questionnaire and a response to any reasonable requests for further information as described in the previous sentence. If a Holder of Registrable Securities returns a Selling Shareholder Questionnaire or a request for further information, in either case, after its respective deadline, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take such actions as are required to name such Holder as a selling security holder in the Registration Statement or any pre-effective or post-effective amendment thereto and to include (to the extent not theretofore included) in the Registration Statement the Registrable Securities identified in such late Selling Shareholder Questionnaire or request for further information. Each Holder acknowledges and agrees that the information in the Selling Shareholder Questionnaire or request for further information as described in this Section 2(c) will be used by the Company in the preparation of the Registration Statement and hereby consents to the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement.
(d) In the event that Form S-3 is not available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable Securities on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Holders and (ii) undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 promptly after such form is available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the Commission.
3. Registration Procedures
In connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder, the Company shall:
(a) Not less than five (5) Trading Days prior to the filing of each Registration Statement and not less than one (1) Trading Day prior to the filing of any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and any similar or successor reports), (i) furnish to each Holder copies of such Registration Statement, Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, as proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such Holder (it being acknowledged and agreed that if a Holder does not object to or comment on the aforementioned documents within such five (5) Trading Day or one (1) Trading Day period, as the case may be, then the Holder shall be deemed to have consented to and approved the use of such documents) and (ii) to the extent that such Holder is identified in the Registration Statement as an “underwriter” (as defined under the Securities Act), use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its officers and directors, counsel and independent registered public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of respective counsel to each Holder, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company shall not file any Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which a Holder reasonably objects in good faith, provided that, the Company is notified of such objection in writing within the five (5) Trading Day or one (1) Trading Day period described above, as applicable.
(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements, to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities for its Effectiveness Period; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement (subject to the terms of this Agreement), and, as so supplemented or amended, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (iii) respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to any comments received from the Commission with respect to each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and, as promptly as reasonably possible, provide the Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to such Registration Statement that pertains to the Holders as “Selling Stockholders” but not any comments that would result in the disclosure to the Holders of material and non-public information concerning the Company; and (iv) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of (subject to the terms of this Agreement) in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented; provided, however, that each Purchaser shall be responsible for the delivery of the Prospectus to the Persons to whom such Purchaser sells any of the Registrable Securities (including in accordance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act), and each Purchaser agrees to dispose of Registrable Securities in compliance with the “Plan of Distribution” described in the Registration Statement and otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Exchange Act, the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the Commission on the same day on which the Exchange Act report which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement such Registration Statement was filed.
(c) Notify the Holders (which notice shall, pursuant to clauses (iii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the requisite changes have been made) as promptly as reasonably practicable (and, in the case of (i)(A) below, not less than one (1) Trading Day prior to such filing) and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than one (1) Trading Day following the day: (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement is proposed to be filed; (B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of such Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on any Registration Statement (in which case the Company shall provide to each of the Holders true and complete copies of all comments that pertain to the Holders as a “Selling Stockholder” or to the “Plan of Distribution” and all written responses thereto, but not information that the Company believes would constitute material and non-public information); and (C) with respect to each Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other Federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information that pertains to the Holders as “Selling Stockholders” or the “Plan of Distribution”; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such purpose; (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes the financial statements included or incorporated by reference in a Registration Statement ineligible for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein or any statement made in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of such Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus, form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading and (vi) of the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development with respect to the Company that the Company reasonably believes may be material and that, in the reasonable determination of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the Company to allow continued availability of a Registration Statement or Prospectus, provided that, any and all such information shall remain confidential to each Holder until such information otherwise becomes public, unless disclosure by a Holder is required by law; and provided, further, that notwithstanding each Holder’s agreement to keep such information confidential, each such Holder makes no acknowledgement that any such information is material, non-public information.
(d) Use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, as soon as practicable.
(e) If requested by a Holder, furnish to such Holder, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment thereto and all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person (including those previously furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission; provided, that the Company shall have no obligation to provide any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system.
(f) Prior to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from the registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for the resale by the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in writing, to keep each registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement; provided, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(g) Cooperate with such Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book entry statements, as applicable, representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to the Registration Statement, which certificates or statements shall be free, to the extent permitted by the Merger Agreement and under law, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holders may reasonably request.
(h) Following the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(c), as promptly as reasonably practicable (taking into account the Company’s good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to the Company and its shareholders of the premature disclosure of such event), prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to the affected Registration Statements or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered, no Registration Statement nor any Prospectus will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus, form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with clauses (iii) through (vi) of Section 3(c) above to suspend the use of any Prospectus until the requisite changes to such Prospectus have been made, then the Holders shall suspend use of such Prospectus. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s rights under this Section 3(h) shall include suspensions of availability arising from the filing of a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement to update the Prospectus therein to include the information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which suspensions may extend for the amount of time reasonably required to respond to any comments of the staff of the Commission on such amendment.
(i) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the Company a certified statement as to (i) the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and any Affiliate thereof, (ii) any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) affiliations, (iii) any natural persons who have the power to vote or dispose of the Common Stock and (iv) any other information as may be requested by the Commission, FINRA or any state securities commission..
(j) The Company shall cooperate with any registered broker through which a Holder proposes to resell its Registrable Securities in effecting a filing with FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 as requested by any such Holder and the Company shall pay the filing fee required for the first such filing within two (2) Business Days of the request therefor.
4. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with its obligations under this Agreement (excluding any underwriting discounts and selling commissions and all legal fees and expenses of legal counsel for any Holder) shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with any Trading Market on which the Common Stock are then listed for trading, (B) with respect to compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the Holders) and (C) if not previously paid by the Company in connection with Section 3(j) above, with respect to any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through which a Holder intends to make sales of Registrable Securities with FINRA pursuant to the FINRA Rule 5110, so long as the broker is receiving no more than a customary brokerage commission in connection with such sale), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder. In no event shall the Company be responsible for any underwriting, broker or similar fees or commissions of any Holder or, except to the extent provided for in the Transaction Documents, any legal fees or other costs of the Holders.
5. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, partners, members, managers, stockholders, Affiliates, investment advisers and employees of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, stockholders, agents, investment advisers and employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation and investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, that arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or (ii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (A) such untrue statements, alleged untrue statements, omissions or alleged omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that each Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose) or (B) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(c)(iii)-(vi), related to the use by a Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated and defined in Section 6(c) below, to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected or (C) to the extent that any such Losses arise out of the Purchaser’s (or any other indemnified Person’s) failure to send or give a copy of the Prospectus or supplement (as then amended or supplemented), if required, pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule) to the Persons asserting an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of Registrable Securities to such Person if such statement or omission was corrected in such Prospectus or supplement. The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 5(c)) and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Holders.
(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of or are based solely upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (i) to the extent that such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein or (ii) to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose), such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (iii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(c)(iii)-(vi), to the extent related to the use by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(c). In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest exists if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party); provided, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all Indemnified Parties. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section 5) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within twenty (20) Trading Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided, that the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally judicially determined to not be entitled to indemnification hereunder. The failure to deliver written notice to the Indemnifying Party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such Indemnifying Party of any liability to the Indemnified Party under this Section 5, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.
(d) Contribution. If a claim for indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys’ or other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 was available to such party in accordance with its terms.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), (A) no Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission and (B) no contribution will be made under circumstances where the maker of such contribution would not have been required to indemnify the Indemnified Party under the fault standards set forth in this Section 5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 5 are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties.
6. Miscellaneous.
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder of any of their obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company and each Holder agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) Compliance. Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it (unless an exemption therefrom is available) in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement and shall sell the Registrable Securities only in accordance with a method of distribution described in the Registration Statement.
(c) Discontinued Disposition. By its acquisition of Registrable Securities, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Section 3(c)(iii)-(vi), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable.
(d) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on or after the date hereof, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
(e) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, or waived unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and Holders holding no less than a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities, provided that any party may give a waiver as to itself. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of all of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.
(f) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via electronic mail at the e-mail address specified in this Section 6(f) prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via electronic mail at the e- mail address or facsimile number specified in this Section 6.3 on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on any Trading Day, (c) the Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as follows.
If to the Company: Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.
535 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Telephone No.: (617) 904-3866
Attention: Scott M. Coiante
E-mail: scott.coiante@aprea.com
With a copy to: Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Telephone No.: (212) 839-5776
Attention: Geoffrey W. Levin
E-mail: glevin@sidley.com
If to a Purchaser: To the address set forth under such Purchaser’s signature page hereto.
(g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement. The Company may not assign its rights (except by merger or in connection with another entity acquiring all or substantially all of the Company’s assets) or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of all the Holders of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. This Agreement, or any rights or obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Company without the prior written consent of each Purchaser. Any Purchaser may assign its rights hereunder in whole or in part to any Person to whom such Purchaser assigns or transfers any Shares in compliance with the Merger Agreement and applicable law; provided in each case that (i) the Holder agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights and related obligations under this Agreement, and for the transferee or assignee to assume such obligations, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment, (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned, (iii) at or before the time the Company received the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence, the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein and (iv) the transferee is an “accredited investor,” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D as promulgated by the Commission.
(h) Execution and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
(i) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all Proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective Affiliates, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the New York Courts. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New York Courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any Proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such New York Court, or that such Proceeding has been commenced in an improper or inconvenient forum. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such Proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
(j) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.
(k) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their good faith reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(l) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(m) Independent Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Purchaser under this Agreement are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser hereunder, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser hereunder. The decision of each Purchaser to purchase or acquire, as applicable, the Registerable Securities pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as applicable, has been made independently of any other Purchaser. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Purchaser acknowledges that no other Purchaser has acted as agent for such Purchaser in connection with making its investment hereunder and that no Purchaser will be acting as agent of such Purchaser in connection with monitoring its investment in the Registerable Securities or enforcing its rights under the Merger Agreement, as applicable. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any Proceeding for such purpose. The Company acknowledges that each of the Purchasers has been provided with the same Registration Rights Agreement for the purpose of closing a transaction with multiple Purchasers and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Purchaser.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
| APREA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page – Registration Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
| NAME OF INVESTING ENTITY | ||
| AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| ADDRESS FOR NOTICE | ||
| c/o: | ||
| Street: | ||
| City/State/Zip: | ||
| Attention: | ||
| Tel: | ||
| Fax: | ||
| Email: | ||
[Signature Page – Registration Rights Agreement]
ANNEX A
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION1
We are registering the shares of common stock of Area Therapeutics, Inc., par value of $0.001 per share, or the Common Stock, which we refer to herein as Shares, issued to the selling stockholders to permit the resale of these Shares by the holders of the Shares from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the Shares. We will, or will procure to, bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the Shares.
The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the Shares beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the Shares are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The Shares may be sold on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, in the over-the-counter market or in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market and in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions that may involve crosses or block transactions. The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when selling shares:
| · | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
| · | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
| · | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; |
| · | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
| · | privately negotiated transactions; |
| · | settlement of short sales entered into after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part; |
| · | broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
| · | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; |
| · | a combination of any such methods of sale; and |
| · | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as amended, or the Securities Act, as permitted by that rule, or Section 4(a)(1) under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of those provisions.
1 Note to Draft: Definitions to be conformed to resale S-3.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in sales. If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling Shares to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the Shares for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal. Such commissions will be in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction will not be in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA IM-2121.01.
In connection with sales of the Shares or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Shares in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell Shares short and if such short sale shall take place after the date that this Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, the selling stockholders may deliver Shares covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge Shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares, to the extent permitted by applicable law. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the selling stockholders have been advised that they may not use shares registered on this registration statement to cover short sales of our Common Stock made prior to the date the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, has been declared effective by the SEC.
The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the Shares owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the Shares from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the Shares in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer or agents participating in the distribution of the Shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer or agent and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Selling Stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act including Rule 172 thereunder and may be subject to certain statutory liabilities of, including but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Each selling stockholder has informed the Company that it is not a registered broker-dealer and does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Shares. Upon the Company being notified in writing by a selling stockholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of Common Stock through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing (i) the name of each such selling stockholder and of the participating broker-dealer(s), (ii) the number of shares involved, (iii) the price at which such the Shares were sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealer(s), where applicable, (v) that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and (vi) other facts material to the transaction. In no event shall any broker-dealer receive fees, commissions and markups, which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent (8.0%).
Under the securities laws of some U.S. states, the Shares may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some U.S. states the Shares may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the Shares registered pursuant to the shelf registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
Each selling stockholder and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the Shares by the selling stockholder and any other participating person. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the Shares to engage in market-making activities with respect to the Shares. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the Shares and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the Shares.
We will pay all expenses of the registration of the Shares pursuant to the registration rights agreement, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however, that each selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any and any related legal expenses incurred by it. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against certain liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the registration rights agreement, or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholders specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreements, or we may be entitled to contribution.
ANNEX B
SELLING STOCKHOLDER NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE
The undersigned holder of shares of the (i) common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Aprea Therapeutic, Inc. (the “Company”) and/or (ii) Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company issued pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 16, 2022, among the Company, ATR Merger Sub I Inc., ATR Merger Sub II LLC and Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc., understands that the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Resale Registration Statement”) for the registration and the resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 16, 2022, by and among the Company and the several purchasers signatory thereto (the “Agreement”). All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.
In order to sell or otherwise dispose of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Resale Registration Statement, a holder of Registrable Securities generally will be required to be named as a selling stockholder in the related prospectus or a supplement thereto (as so supplemented, the “Prospectus”), deliver the Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities (including pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act) and be bound by the provisions of the Agreement (including certain indemnification provisions, as described below). Holders must complete and deliver this Notice and Questionnaire in order to be named as selling stockholders in the Prospectus. Holders of Registrable Securities who do not complete, execute and return this Notice and Questionnaire within five (5) Trading Days following the date of the Agreement (1) will not be named as selling stockholders in the Resale Registration Statement or the Prospectus and (2) may not use the Prospectus for resales of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling stockholder in the Resale Registration Statement and the Prospectus. Holders of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not named as a selling stockholder in the Resale Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
NOTICE
The undersigned holder (the “Selling Stockholder”) of Registrable Securities hereby gives notice to the Company of its intention to sell or otherwise dispose of Registrable Securities owned by it and listed below in Item (3), unless otherwise specified in Item (3), pursuant to the Resale Registration Statement. The undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, understands and agrees that it will be bound by the terms and conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Agreement.
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and complete:
QUESTIONNAIRE
| 1. | Name. |
(a) Full Legal Name of Selling Stockholder:
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3 below are held:
(c) Full Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose of the securities covered by the questionnaire):
| 2. | Address for Notices to Selling Stockholder: |
| Telephone: |
| Fax: |
| Contact Person: | |||
| E-mail address of Contact Person: | |||
| 3. | Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities Issuable Pursuant to the Merger Agreement: |
(a) Type and Number of Registrable Securities beneficially owned and issued pursuant to the Agreement:
(b) Number of shares of Common Stock to be registered pursuant to this Notice for resale:
| 4. | Broker-Dealer Status: |
Yes ¨ No ¨
(a) Are you a broker-dealer?
Yes ¨ No ¨
(b) If “yes” to Section 4(a), did you receive your Registrable Securities as compensation for investment banking services to the Company?
Yes ¨ No ¨
Note: If no, the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.
(c) Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?
Yes ¨ No ¨
Note: If yes, provide a narrative explanation below:
(d) If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you bought the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities?
Yes ¨ No ¨
Note: If no, the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.
| 5. | Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Stockholder. |
Except as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item 3.
Type and amount of other securities beneficially owned:
| 6. | Relationships with the Company: |
Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
| 7. | Plan of Distribution: |
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By returning this Questionnaire, the undersigned will be deemed to be aware of the foregoing interpretation.
I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the foregoing statements (including without limitation the answers to this Questionnaire) are correct.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.
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Exhibit 99.1
Precision Oncology Through Synthetic Lethality May 2022
Forward - Looking Statements Certain information contained in this presentation includes “ forward - looking statements ” , within the meaning of Section 27 A of the Securities Act of 1933 , as amended, and Section 21 E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended, related to our clinical trials, regulatory submissions and strategic plans. We may, in some cases use terms such as “ predicts, ” “ believes, ” “ potential, ” “ continue, ” “ anticipates, ” “ estimates, ” “ expects, ” “ plans, ” “ intends, ” “ may, ” “ could, ” “ might, ” “ likely, ” “ will, ” “ should ” or other words that convey uncertainty of the future events or outcomes to identify these forward - looking statements. The forward - looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our m anagement team that involve risks, potential changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties. Any or all of the forward - looking statem ents may turn out to be wrong or be affected by inaccurate assumptions our management team might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainti es. These forward - looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks related to the success an d timing of our clinical trials or other studies and the other risks set forth in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, includ ing our Annual Reports on Form 10 - K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10 - Q. Forward - looking statements regarding our product candidates are also subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, with respect to our dependence on additional financing to fund our operation s a nd complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates, and the risks that raising such additional capital may restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates; limited history and preclinical status of the asse ts we acquired from Atrin Pharmaceuticals Inc.; our business plan or the likelihood of the successful implementation of such business plan; the timing of initiation of plan ned clinical trials for our product candidates; the future success of such trials; the successful implementation of our research and development programs and collaborations and the interpretation of the results and findings of such programs and collaborations and whethe r s uch results are sufficient to support the future success of product candidates; the success, timing and cost of our anticipated clinical tria ls for our current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, futility analyses, presentations at conferences and data re ported in an abstract, and receipt of interim results (including, without limitation, any preclinical results or data); any statements about our und ers tanding of product candidates mechanisms of action and interpretation of preclinical and early clinical results from its clinical development pr ogr ams and any collaboration studies; and other factors, including legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments not within o ur control. For all these reasons, actual results and developments could be materially different from those expressed in or implied by our forward - looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward - looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this presen tation. We undertake no obligation to update such forward - looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except to the e xtent required by law or regulation. © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2
Aprea Acquisition of Atrin 3 • Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: APRE) and Atrin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have completed a business combination • Atrin assets targeting DNA damage repair (DDR) at the core of future development strategy • Aprea shareholders receive non - transferable CVR related to Aprea legacy assets • Transaction closed the morning of Monday, May 16 th • Atrin ownership: 58.8 % ( 1 ) • Aprea ownership: 41.2 % ( 1 ) • Pro forma cash, before transaction - related expenses, of approximately $ 48 million • Expected cash runway through second half of 2023 • ATRN - 119 : ATR inhibitor • Initial efficacy data from monotherapy dose escalation study • Initial efficacy data from monotherapy dose expansion study • Initial efficacy data from PARPi combination • ATRN - Backup: ATR inhibitor • Preliminary PK and Toxicity data from monotherapy dose escalation study • ATRN - W 1051 : WEE 1 inhibitor • Preliminary PK and Toxicity data from monotherapy dose escalation study • ATRN - DDRi : Undisclosed target • IND and initiation of Phase 1 / 2 monotherapy study Transaction Summary Ownership Split Transaction Proceeds Pipeline Milestones (1) Calculated via treasury stock method © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Combined Company Leadership at Transaction Close Christian Schade Chief Executive Officer Oren Gilad, Ph.D. President Gregory Korbel, Ph.D. Chief Operating Officer Scott Coiante Chief Financial Officer Ze’ev Weiss Chief Business Officer
Corporate Highlights Precision Oncology Via Synthetic Lethality In Defined Patient Populations 4 ▪ Robust synthetic lethality (SL) portfolio built in - house from foundational, proprietary DNA damage repair (DDR) platform ◊ Integrated discovery engine leverages three proprietary technologies to fuel pipeline growth ◊ Next generation DDR portfolio with potentially best - in - class molecules ◊ Potential synergy from combinations within own portfolio ▪ Proprietary platform drives : ◊ Novel target identification ◊ Target selectivity ◊ High therapeutic index and safety ◊ Effective biomarker identification ◊ Optimized patient stratification ▪ ATRN - 119: Novel ATR inhibitor ◊ Open IND with FPI expected 3Q, 2022 ◊ Unique biomarkers identified for patient selection ◊ Differentiated molecular structure and preclinical tox profile ◊ Second generation backup molecule, with novel IP, ready to enter IND - enabling studies ▪ ATRN - W1051: Novel WEE1 inhibitor ◊ IND - enabling studies 2H 2022, IND targeted 3Q 2023 ◊ Structurally differentiated from other WEE1 inhibitors in development ◊ Excellent selectivity for WEE1 vs PLK1/2/3 ◊ Nanomolar anti - proliferative potency in vitro against multiple cancer cell lines ◊ Promising anti - tumor activity in xenograft model with favorable PK characteristics ▪ Capital efficient plan to potentially deliver multiple near - term clinical milestones © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SL & Inhibitors of the DDR Pathway 5 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ngoi et al., Trends in Cancer, 2021 DDR: One Critical Pathway, Multiple Targets 6 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ▪ Within DDR, PARP inhibitors have validated the SL paradigm but are just the tip of the iceberg ◊ Responses to PARPi are rarely durable and resistance is acquired rapidly ▪ Deep understanding and targeted query of DDR pathways may identify novel therapeutic opportunities and biomarkers for optimal patient selection ◊ Pharmacologic inhibition of parallel DDR pathways, e.g., ATRi , WEE 1 i, etc , may drive SL in the context of genetic defects in homologous recombination (ATM, BRCA, etc.) ◊ Combination approaches may increase efficacy, reduce toxicity and overcome compensatory resistance mechanisms to drive indication expansion opportunities Overview of Key Proteins in DDR
Integrated Discovery Engine Three proprietary integrated technologies fueling pipeline growth 7 SCET & ATRIZE: Macrocyclic drug design and rapid screening methods to increase potency, limit off - target binding and improve tolerability Cancer Repli - Biom : Proteomic and genetic methods to identify cancer and replication - associated biomarkers of efficacy Combo - SL: Novel proteomic, genetic and computational means to identify new targets for combination treatments for precision cancer treatment Target selectivity High therapeutic index and safety Effective biomarker identification Optimized patient stratification Novel target identification © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Repli - Biom and Combination Approached An Integrated Platform for Discovery of Novel SL Targets and Biomarkers 8 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Repli - Biom to Identify Biomarkers and New Targets Drug Combination SL Approach ▪ Repli - Biom platform is designed to identify factors that respond to drug treatment at the mechanistic site of drug action, the r eplication fork ▪ Repli - Biom shows potential to identify candidate biomarkers of therapeutic benefit as well novel SL targets ▪ Combination SL may permit lower doses and decreased rates of acquired resistance, leading to durable responses in cancers wit h s pecific mutations Drug Target 1 Cancer mutation Drug Target 2 SL SL SL
ATR Inhibitor ATRN - 119 9 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ATR is the Master Regulator of DDR ▪ Defects in DDR lead to compromised genomic instability and stalling of the replication fork ▪ ATR is activated by replication stress ▪ ATR Inhibition leads to replication fork collapse and cancer cell death ◊ Cancer cells with dysfunctional and/or dysregulated DDR are particularly sensitive to ATR inhibition ◊ Examples: Oncogenic RAS mutations, MYC overexpression, ATM mutations, BRCA1, BRCA2 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 10
ATRN - 119 is Potentially Differentiated from Other ATRi ▪ ATRN - 119: Has shown potential to be potent and structurally differentiated, with high selectivity to limit off - target tox © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 11 Note: Head - to - head studies hav e not been conducted ( 1 ) Atrin data reported for HCT 116 - Bcl /XL cell line; ( 2 ) Foote et al ( 2018 ), J Med Chem; ( 3 ) Lücking et al ( 2020 ), J Med Chem; ( 4 ) Roulston et al ( 2022 ) Mol Cancer Ther ATRN - 119: ▪ Potential to be highly potent and selective ▪ Has shown potential to have lower hematological toxicity than other ATRi (small magnitude hematological toxicities) ▪ Unique biomarkers have been identified for optimal patient selection ▪ Preferred candidate for combination with SOC On - Target Cellular IC 50 ( nM ) Fold Difference in IC 50 for Off - Target PIKK Inhibition ATRi ATM DNA - PK mTOR ATRN - 119 (1) 4 > 600x > 2000x > 2000x Berzosertib (1) 61 31x > 200x > 50x AZD - 6738 (2) 74 > 400x > 400x 70 – 310x BAY 1895344 (3) 36 39x 9x 61x RP3500 (4) 0.33 > 20000x > 20000x 30x
0 200 400 600 800 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Tumor Volume (mm 3 ) Time (Days) 100 mg/kg n=8 ATRN - 119 Preclinical Profile ▪ Nanomolar potency in vitro across a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines ▪ Strong tumor control observed in vivo, including challenging genetic backgrounds © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12 HCT - 116 p53 null (K - Ras, BRCA2, p53) 0 500 1000 1500 0 5 10 15 20 Tumor Volume (mm 3 ) Time (Days) ATRN - 006 - B 1 : ATRN - 119 Antitumor Activity Against Colon Cancer in Female Mouse CDX: Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Line HCT 116 (KRAS G 13 D ) p 53 null Mean Vehicle p.o. (n=4) Mean 119 100mg/kg p.o. (n=4) ( p = . 00026 ) Control n= 8 Pancreatic (CAPAN - 1) Xenograft Study – KRAS mut
ATRi In Combination With PARPi 13 Surgery Tumor “Avatars” Cell lines, genomics & proteomics Preclinical trial Transplant to mouse ovary Expand & transfer Personalized Treatments Orthotropic Patient - Derived Xenografts (PDXs) ATRN - 119 + PARPi Inhibits Ovarian Tumor Growth Over Time Human Ovarian PDX - PARPi & ATRi Tumor Size • Potentially excellent tolerability • Preliminary results have shown no abnormal toxicity signs • Preclinical data has shown no body weight loss Mouse In Vivo Efficacy and Tolerability Study Olaparib (Lynparza®): Regression of BRCA 2 - Deficient Ovarian (HGSOC) Tumors © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ATR Landscape 14 Parameter AstraZeneca AZD6738 (1)(2) Bayer BAY1895344 (3) Repare RP - 3500 (4) Route Of Administration Oral Oral Oral Clinical Studies Chosen (MTD/RP2D) , Dose Schedule 160mg BID, 2 - weeks - on, 2 - weeks - off , or: Continuous dosing (1) 40mg BID, 3 - days - on/4 - days - off 160mg QD, 3 - days - on/4 - days - off Main Grade ≥3 Hematological toxicities reported at Chosen Dose Schedule (MTD/RP2D ), in clinical studies Patriot 1, Escalation Phase, 160mg, BID (2) : • Anemia: (1/6, 17%) Patriot 2, Expansion Phase (1) : • Fatigue, anemia, nausea & thrombocytopenia (not differentiated) (1) : (4/6, 67%) with Continuous dosing (3/15, 20%) with 2 - week - on, 2 - week - off • Anemia (2/2, 100%) • Neutropenia (1/2, 50%) • Anemia (23/95, 24%) • Neutrophil count decreased (10/95, 11%) • Platelet count decreased (5/95, 5%) Note: Head - to - head studies with ATRN - 119 have not been conducted ( 1 ) Phase I study of ATR inhibitor, AZD 6738 , as monotherapy in advanced solid tumors (PATRIOT part A, B), Dillon et al, Volume 30 , October 2019 , Pages v 165 - v 166 ( 2 ) Poster CT 084 : A Phase I dose - escalation study of ATR inhibitor monotherapy with AZD 6738 in advanced solid tumors (PATRIOT Part A), AACR 2017 ( 3 ) First - in - Human Trial of the Oral Ataxia Telangiectasia and RAD 3 - Related (ATR) Inhibitor BAY 1895344 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors, Yap et al, Cancer Discov 2021 ; 11:80 - 91 and 2019 ASCO Poster, De - Bono et al. ( 4 ) Preliminary Phase 1 Data From Ongoing First - in - Human Phase 1 / 2 TRESR Study of RP - 3500 , AACR 2022 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Commonalities Include: ▪ Core ▪ Backbone ▪ Toxicity profile
ATRN - 119: Potential “Best - in - Class” Oral ATR inhibitor 15 Parameter Aprea ATRN - 119 (1) Route Of Administration Oral Clinical Studies Chosen (MTD/RP2D) , Dose Schedule QD (dose TBD in Phase 1) 7 - days - on (1) Hematological toxicities in preclinical studies Pre - Clinical, Toxicology Studies: • In 28 - day GLP tox study in dogs, hematological changes were of small magnitude with complete recovery • In a head - to - head comparative tolerability study, ATRN - 119 demonstrated significantly less toxicity than another oral ATRi that is currently in clinical development Note: ATRN - 119 has not yet been tested clinically ( 1 ) ATRN - 119 , Phase 1 / 2 a Clinical Study Protocol © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ATRN - 119: ▪ Differentiated core ▪ Differentiated backbone ▪ Differentiated toxicity profile
ATRN - 119 Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial ▪ Patients ◊ Advanced solid tumors that have at least 1 DDR mutation ◊ Panel of unique potential biomarkers for increased sensitivity to ATRN - 119 have been characterized in preclinical studies ◊ IHC assay and NGS DDR Panel will be used to determine presence of DDR mutations/LOF ▪ Objectives ◊ Primary: MTD / RP2D; safety; tolerability; PK ◊ Secondary: ORR ◊ Exploratory: PD; PK/PD relationships; bioavailability; predictive value of DDR biomarker ▪ Design ◊ Part 1: Single agent, standard 3+3 dose escalation on 28 - day QD schedule, up to 18 patients ◊ Part 2: Single agent expansion phase in indications with high rates of dysfunctional DDR, up to 30 patients ◊ Gynecologic, CRC, lung, prostate, indication - agnostic ATM mutant ◊ With dose selection and tolerability data, enter another Phase 1/2a study to test ATRi + PARPi combination (anticipated start 1Q 2023) ▪ Status: Sites have been identified and start - up activities are underway © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 16
ATR Back - up: Second - Generation ATR Inhibitors ▪ Additional SAR improvements may have increased potency and exposure for second generation ATRi ▪ ATR backup is ready to enter IND - enabling studies © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 17 IC 50 = 8.43 nM * NT 125 62 32 16 8 4 2 1 NT pCHK1 GAPDH nM 0.5 0.25 + Aphidicolin IC 50 = 0.97 nM * ATRN - 119 ATRN - ATRi Backup + Aphidicolin pCHK 1 0.01 NT - 10 3 1 0.3 0.1 0.03 NT+ 100 GAPDH 30 nM ATRN - ATRi backup compound is >8 - fold more potent and has >10 - times exposure in vivo *IC 50 in ovarian cancer SKOV 3 cells
WEE 1 Inhibitor ATRN - W 1051 18 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WEE1 is a Key Regulator of Mitotic Entry in the DDR Pathway WEE1 ▪ Regulates the G2 - M cell cycle checkpoint and prevents entry into mitosis in response to DNA damage ▪ About 50% of HGSOCs overexpress Cyclin E through amplification, copy number gain or transcriptional means ▪ Inhibition of WEE1 leads to cancer cell death via mitotic collapse and apoptosis © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 19
ATRN - W1051 is Potentially Differentiated from Other WEE1 Inhibitors ▪ ATRN - W1051 : shows potential to be potent and structurally differentiated, with high selectivity to limit off - target tox ▪ Preclinical data highlight potentially favorable PK properties of ATRN - W1051 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 20 ATRN - W 1051 ( 2 ) ZN - c3 (3) AZD - 1775 (3) Dose (mg/kg/d) 10 20 40 80 20 40 80 C max , ng/mL 1219 1167 1997 5100 635 2460 4703 T max , hr 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 AUC 0 - 24 , ng* hr /mL 14211 4863 17088 39722 1494 6313 13408 Tumor concentration, ng/mL 9000 ng/gr (@ 15 mg/kg/d) 10.5 48 811 BQL BQL 6.95 Note: Head - to - head studies have not been conducted (1) Huang et al, (2021) J Med Chem (2) Data from study in normal mice (3) Data from study in A - 427 NSCLC xenograft model as reported in Zentalis Corporate Overview, March 2022 On - Target IC 50 ( nM ) Off - Target Inhibition at 1 m M (%) WEE1 PLK1 PLK2 PLK3 ATRN - W1051 2.2 17 33 12 ZN - c3 (1) 3.8 79 96 92 AZD - 1775 (1) 3.9 70 101 91
▪ Nanomolar anti - proliferative potency in vitro against multiple cancer cell lines ▪ Potent anti - tumor activity observed in vivo in an ovarian cancer xenograft model 0.00 200.00 400.00 600.00 800.00 1000.00 1200.00 1400.00 1600.00 1800.00 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Tumor Volume (mm3) Days Post Treatment ATRN - W1051 Has Demonstrated Potentially Compelling Anti - tumor Activity IND - Enabling Studies to commence in 2H , 2022 & IND targeted 3Q , 2023 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 21 OVCAR 3 Xenograft Model ATRN - W 1051 , 30 mg/kg/d Vehicle
Integrated Discovery Engine Three proprietary integrated technologies fueling pipeline growth 22 SCET & ATRIZE: Macrocyclic drug design and rapid screening methods to increase potency, limit off - target binding and improve tolerability Cancer Repli - Biom : Proteomic and genetic methods to identify cancer and replication - associated biomarkers of efficacy Combo - SL: Novel proteomic, genetic and computational means to identify new targets for combination treatments for precision cancer treatment Target selectivity High therapeutic index and safety Effective biomarker identification Optimized patient stratification Novel target identification © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ATRN - 119 and ATRN - W 1051 combination studies ATRN - 119 ATRN - ATRi Backup ATRN - W1051 ATRN - 119: >50 high - priority biomarkers
Intellectual Property 23 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Intellectual Property Portfolio Four issued US patents protecting lead molecule and close analogs ▪ Family 1 : Ataxia Telengiectasia And Rad 3 - Related (ATR) Protein Kinase Inhibitors ‒ Macrocyclic inhibitors of ATR & methods of using them to treat various cancers, filed on Oct. 13 th , 2015 ‒ National phase examinations ongoing in EU, Australia, Japan, etc ‒ 1.1 : Issued on May 30 , 2017 as U.S. Patent 9,663,535 ‒ 1.2 : Issued on May 29 , 2018 as U.S. Patent 9,981,989 ‒ 1.3 : Issued on Feb. 5 , 2019 as U.S. Patent 10,196,405 ▪ Family 2 : ATR inhibitors & methods of use ‒ Carboxylic acid - containing macrocyclic ATR inhibitors, and prodrugs; methods of using these inhibitors to treat various cancers; filed on Apr. 12 th , 2017 ‒ Issued on May 28 , 2019 as U.S. Patent 10,301,324 ▪ Family 3 : Composition for ATR inhibitors for their controlled release ‒ Provisional application filed ‒ Manufacture and use of pharmaceutical formulations comprising our lead series of compounds, encapsulated in biocompatible and bi odegradable polymer - containing particles ▪ Family 4 : ATR inhibitor Pharmaceutical Composition and Methods: ‒ Provisional application filed ‒ Pharmaceutical formulation and composition of our lead compounds in the clinic ▪ Family 5 : WEE 1 inhibitor Pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods: ‒ Provisional application filed ‒ Composition of our lead WEE 1 inhibitor compounds 24 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
p53 Reactivator Eprenetapopt (APR - 246) 25 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Future Development Opportunity for p53 Reactivator Eprenetapopt ▪ Lymphoid malignancies ◊ Lymphoid cancer cell lines are among the most sensitive to treatment with eprenetapopt ◊ Open IND and FDA accepted protocol for clinical trial evaluating eprenetapopt in late - line NHL ◊ Introduce new oral formulation of eprenetapopt ◊ Collect and analyze oral PK data to inform clinical opportunities, especially in solid tumor indications ▪ Solid tumors ◊ Encouraging Phase 1 / 2 response data for eprenetapopt + pembro in advanced solid tumors (ESMO 2021 ) ◊ Leverage oral eprenetapopt PK data in lymphoid malignancies to inform study design of oral eprenetapopt + IO therapy ▪ Myeloid malignancies ◊ Encouraging 1 - yr RFS, 1 - yr OS, median RFS and median OS observed in Phase 2 trial evaluating eprenetapopt + azacitidine in TP 53 mutant MDS/AML post - HCT maintenance (ASH 2021 ) ◊ Discussions with national transplant cooperative groups on potential registrational trial design: 1 H 2023 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 26
Corporate Milestones 27 © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Robust DDR Development Pipeline Milestones 28 2021 2022 2023 2024 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Key Development Milestones ATR ATRN - 119 Phase 1 / 2 a Dose Escalation Phase 1 / 2 a Dose Expansion Monotherapy, NCT04905914 Phase 1/2a Dose Escalation Phase 1/2a Dose Expansion PARPi Combination FPI Initial efficacy results Initial efficacy results FPI © 2022 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3 Discovery Preclinical Development In vivo POC GLP Tox IND filing PK & tolerability Phase 1 / 2 a Initial efficacy results FPI ATRN - ATRi Backup WEE1 ATRN - W1051 Discovery Preclinical Development Phase 1 / 2 a PARPi Combination Phase 1 / 2 a FPI In vivo POC GLP Tox IND filing PK & tolerability FPI ATRN - DDRi U ndisclosed Discovery Preclinical Development Phase 1/2a FPI IND filing PK & tolerability GLP Tox Initial efficacy results
Precision Oncology Through Synthetic Lethality May 2022