Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc S-1/A, filed Jul 16, 2021
Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (RANI)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 16, 2021
Registration No. 333-257809
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 2834 | 86-3114789 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
2051 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, California 95131
408-457-3700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Talat Imran
Chief Executive Officer
Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.
2051 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, California 95131
408-457-3700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
| Josh Seidenfeld Mark B. Weeks John T. McKenna Charles S. Kim Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, California 94304 650-843-5000 |
Deepa M. Rich Edwin O’Connor Sam Zucker Shoaib Ghias Goodwin Procter LLP 601 Marshall Street Redwood City, California 94063 650-752-3100 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☒ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
| ||||
| Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
Proposed Offering Price (1)(2) |
Amount of Registration Fee (3) | ||
| Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value |
$100,000,000 | $10,910 | ||
|
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| (1) | Includes offering price of any additional shares of Class A common stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase. |
| (2) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
| (3) | Previously paid. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
Explanatory Note
This Amendment No. 1 (this “Amendment No. 1”) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (“Registration Statement”) is being filed solely for the purpose of filing Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.11 to the Registration Statement. This Amendment No. 1 does not modify any provision of the prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement and accordingly, such prospectus has been omitted.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, all of which will be paid by us. All amounts are estimates except the Securities and Exchange Commission’s registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.’s, or FINRA, filing fee and the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq listing fee.
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Amount Paid or |
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| SEC Registration Fee |
$ | |||
| FINRA filing fee |
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| Nasdaq listing fee |
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| Printing and engraving expenses |
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| Legal fees and expenses |
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| Accounting fees and expenses |
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| Transfer agent and registrar fees |
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| Miscellaneous expenses |
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| Total |
$ | |||
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Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, empowers a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers and to purchase insurance with respect to liability arising out of their capacity or status as directors and officers, provided that the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s actions were unlawful. The DGCL further provides that the indemnification permitted thereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the directors and officers may be entitled under the corporation’s bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or otherwise. The certificate of incorporation of the registrant to be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering provides for the indemnification of the registrant’s directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL. In addition, the amended and restated bylaws of the registrant to be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering require the registrant to fully indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the registrant, or is or was a director or officer of the registrant serving at the registrant’s request as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) for payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The registrant’s certificate of incorporation to be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering provides that the registrant’s directors shall not be personally liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for
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breach of fiduciary duty as a director and that if the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the registrant’s directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
Section 174 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a director who willfully or negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved, or dissented at the time, may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time such action occurred or immediately after such absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.
As permitted by the DGCL, the registrant intends to enter into separate indemnification agreements with each of the registrant’s directors and certain of the registrant’s officers which would require the registrant, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities which may arise by reason of their status as directors, officers, or certain other employees.
The registrant expects to obtain and maintain insurance policies under which its directors and officers are insured, within the limits and subject to the limitations of those policies, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of, and certain liabilities which might be imposed as a result of, actions, suits, or proceedings to which they are parties by reason of being or having been directors or officers. The coverage provided by these policies may apply whether or not the registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.
These indemnification provisions and the indemnification agreements intended to be entered into between the registrant and the registrant’s officers and directors may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the registrant’s officers and directors for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.
The underwriting agreement between the registrant and the underwriters to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement provides for the indemnification by the underwriters of the registrant’s directors and officers and certain controlling persons against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act with respect to information provided by the underwriters specifically for inclusion in the registration statement.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
The following list sets forth information regarding all unregistered securities sold by us since January 1, 2018. No underwriters were involved in the sales and the certificates representing the securities sold and issued contain legends restricting transfer of the securities without registration under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption from registration.
| (1) | Between October 2020 and January 2021, we issued to accredited investors an aggregate of 10,493,767 units of our Series E convertible preferred units at $7.1471 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $75.0 million. |
| (2) | Between January 2018 and March 2021, we have granted certain of our employees, directors and executive officers Profits Interests covering an aggregate of 3,470,617 common units with participation thresholds ranging from $1.87 to $2.29 under our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2016 Plan. |
| (3) | On April 19, 2021, we issued 1,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $0.01 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $10.00 to Rani LLC. |
| (4) | On June 17, 2021, Rani LLC granted certain of its employees, consultants, directors and executive officers options to purchase 2,292,309 common units with a per unit exercise price of $4.99 per unit under the 2016 Plan. |
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None of the foregoing transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering. Unless otherwise specified above, we believe these transactions were exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (and Regulation D promulgated thereunder), or Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or under benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. The recipients of the securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed on the share certificates issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to information about us. The sales of these securities were made without any general solicitation or advertising.
Item 16. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules
| (a) | Exhibits. |
See the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the signature page hereto for a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement on Form S-1, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
| (b) | Financial Statement Schedules. |
Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned hereby undertakes that:
| (1) | For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
| (2) | For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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| * | To be filed by amendment. |
| ‡ | Previously filed. |
| + | Indicated management contract or compensatory plan. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on July 16, 2021.
| RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Talat Imran | |
| Talat Imran | ||
| Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Talat Imran, and Svai Sanford as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities (including his or her capacity as a director and/or officer of Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.) to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their, his, or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Talat Imran | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
July 16, 2021 | ||
| Talat Imran | ||||
| /s/ Svai Sanford | Chief Financial
Officer |
July 16, 2021 | ||
| Svai Sanford | ||||
| * | Executive Chairman | July 16, 2021 | ||
| Mir Imran | ||||
| * | Director |
July 16, 2021 | ||
| Dennis Ausiello | ||||
| * | Director |
July 16, 2021 | ||
| Jean-Luc Butel | ||||
| * | Director |
July 16, 2021 | ||
| Laureen DeBuono | ||||
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| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| * | Director |
July 16, 2021 | ||
| Andrew Farquharson | ||||
| * | Director |
July 16, 2021 | ||
| Maulik Nanavaty | ||||
| *By: | /s/ Talat Imran | |
| Talat Imran | ||
|
Attorney-in-Fact |
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Exhibit 10.1
FORM OF TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
between
RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
and
THE PERSONS NAMED HEREIN
Dated as of [ ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ARTICLE I |
DEFINITIONS |
2 | ||||
| Section 1.1 |
Definitions |
2 | ||||
| ARTICLE II |
DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFIT |
11 | ||||
| Section 2.1 |
Basis Schedule |
11 | ||||
| Section 2.2 |
Tax Benefit Schedule |
11 | ||||
| Section 2.3 |
Procedures, Amendments |
12 | ||||
| Section 2.4 |
Basis Adjustments |
12 | ||||
| ARTICLE III |
TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS |
13 | ||||
| Section 3.1 |
Payments |
13 | ||||
| Section 3.2 |
No Duplicative Payments |
14 | ||||
| Section 3.3 |
Pro Rata Payments |
14 | ||||
| Section 3.4 |
Payment Ordering |
14 | ||||
| Section 3.5 |
Excess Payments |
15 | ||||
| ARTICLE IV |
TERMINATION |
15 | ||||
| Section 4.1 |
Early Termination of Agreement; Breach of Agreement |
15 | ||||
| Section 4.2 |
Early Termination Notice |
17 | ||||
| Section 4.3 |
Payment upon Early Termination |
17 | ||||
| ARTICLE V |
SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS |
18 | ||||
| Section 5.1 |
Subordination |
18 | ||||
| Section 5.2 |
Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer |
18 | ||||
| ARTICLE VI |
NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION |
18 | ||||
| Section 6.1 |
Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and OpCo’s Tax Matters |
18 | ||||
| Section 6.2 |
Consistency |
19 | ||||
| Section 6.3 |
Cooperation |
19 | ||||
| ARTICLE VII |
MISCELLANEOUS |
19 | ||||
| Section 7.1 |
Notices |
19 | ||||
| Section 7.2 |
Counterparts |
20 | ||||
| Section 7.3 |
Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries |
20 | ||||
| Section 7.4 |
Governing Law |
20 | ||||
| Section 7.5 |
Severability |
20 | ||||
| Section 7.6 |
Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers |
20 | ||||
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| Section 7.7 |
Titles and Subtitles |
21 | ||||
| Section 7.8 |
Resolution of Disputes |
22 | ||||
| Section 7.9 |
Reconciliation |
23 | ||||
| Section 7.10 |
Withholding |
23 | ||||
| Section 7.11 |
Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets |
24 | ||||
| Section 7.12 |
Confidentiality |
25 | ||||
| Section 7.13 |
Partnership Agreement |
26 | ||||
| Section 7.14 |
Change in Law |
26 | ||||
| Section 7.15 |
Electronic Signature |
26 | ||||
| EXHIBIT A |
A-1 | |||||
| EXHIBIT B |
B-1 | |||||
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FORM OF TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is dated as of [ ], 2021, and is between Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, each of the undersigned parties, and each of the other persons from time to time that becomes a party hereto (each, excluding the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo (each as defined below), a “TRA Party” and together the “TRA Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the TRA Parties directly or indirectly hold Class A Common Units (the “Units”) in Rani Therapeutics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“OpCo”), which is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes;
WHEREAS, after the Pre-IPO Exchanges (as defined in the LLC Agreement), the Corporate Taxpayer will be the sole managing member of OpCo, and will hold, directly and/or indirectly, Units;
WHEREAS, from time to time following the Lock-Up Period (as defined in the LLC Agreement), each holder of Units (other than the Corporate Taxpayer) has the right to require OpCo to redeem (a “Redemption”) all or a portion of such holder’s Units for, at the Corporate Taxpayer’s election, cash or shares of Class A common stock (the “Class A Shares”) of the Corporate Taxpayer, in either case contributed to OpCo by the Corporate Taxpayer, provided that, at the election of the Corporate Taxpayer in its sole discretion, the Corporate Taxpayer may effect a direct exchange (a “Direct Exchange”) of such cash or Class A Shares for such Units, all in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the LLC Agreement (as defined below);
WHEREAS, OpCo and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries (as defined below) treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes currently have and will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code, for each Taxable Year (as defined below) that includes the IPO Date and for each Taxable Year in which a taxable acquisition (including a deemed taxable acquisition under Section 707(a) of the Code) of Units by the Corporate Taxpayer or by OpCo from any of the TRA Parties (an “Exchanging Holder”) for Class A Shares and/or other consideration occurs;
WHEREAS, the income, gain, loss, expense and other Tax items of the Corporate Taxpayer may be affected by the (i) Basis Adjustments and (ii) Imputed Interest (each as defined below) (collectively, the “Tax Attributes”);
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to provide for certain payments and make certain arrangements with respect to the effect of the Tax Attributes on the liability for Taxes (as defined below) of the Corporate Taxpayer.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined).
“Actual Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, an amount, not less than zero, equal to the actual liability for Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, OpCo (and OpCo’s applicable subsidiaries), but in the case of this clause (ii) only with respect to Taxes imposed on OpCo (and OpCo’s applicable subsidiaries) and allocable to the Corporate taxpayer; provided, that the actual liability for Taxes described in clauses (i) and (ii) shall be calculated (a) using the Assumed Rate, solely for purposes of calculating the U.S. state and local Actual Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer, and (b) assuming, solely for purposes of calculating the liability for U.S. federal income Taxes, in order to prevent double counting, that U.S. state and local Taxes are not deductible by the Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.
“Agreed Rate” means a per annum rate of the lesser of (i) 6.5% and (ii) LIBOR plus 100 basis points.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.
“Amended Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement.
“Assumed Rate” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the tax rate equal to the sum of the product of (x) OpCo’s income and franchise Tax apportionment percentage(s) for each U.S. state and local jurisdiction in which OpCo files income or franchise Tax Returns for the relevant Taxable Year and (y) the highest corporate income and franchise Tax rate(s) for each such U.S. state and local jurisdiction in which OpCo files income or franchise Tax Returns for each relevant Taxable Year; provided, that the Assumed Rate calculated pursuant to the foregoing shall be reduced by the assumed U.S. federal income Tax benefit received by the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to U.S. state and local jurisdiction income and franchise Taxes (with such benefit calculated as the product of (a) the Corporate Taxpayer’s marginal U.S. federal income Tax rate for such Taxable Year and (b) the Assumed Rate (without regard to this proviso)).
“Attributable” means the portion of any Tax Attribute of the Corporate Taxpayer that is “Attributable” to any present or former holder of Units, other than the Corporate Taxpayer, and shall be determined by reference to the Tax Attributes, under the following principles:
(i) the Basis Adjustments shall be determined separately with respect to each Exchanging Holder, using reasonable methods for tracking such Basis Adjustments, and
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are Attributable to each Exchanging Holder in an amount equal to the total Basis Adjustments relating to such Units Exchanged by such Exchanging Holder (determined without regard to any dilutive or antidilutive effect of any contribution to or distribution from OpCo after the date of an applicable Exchange, and taking into account any adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code); and
(ii) any deduction to the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to a Taxable Year in respect of Imputed Interest is Attributable to the Person that is required to include the Imputed Interest in income (without regard to whether such Person is actually subject to Tax thereon).
“Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the Tax basis of a Reference Asset under Sections 732, 734(b) and/or 1012 of the Code (in situations where, as a result of one or more Exchanges, OpCo becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) or under Sections 734(b), 743(b) and/or 754 of the Code (in situations where, following an Exchange, OpCo remains in existence as an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) and, in each case, analogous sections of state, local and foreign Tax laws, as a result of an Exchange and the payments made pursuant to this Agreement in respect of such Exchange. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange of one or more Units shall be determined without regard to any Pre-Exchange Transfer of such Units and as if any such Pre-Exchange Transfer had not occurred. The amount of any Basis Adjustment shall be determined using the Market Value at the time of the Exchange.
“Basis Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
“Beneficial Owner” means, with respect to any security, a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall have a correlative meaning.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporate Taxpayer.
“Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in San Francisco, California are authorized or required by law to close.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) any Person or any group of Persons acting together that would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or any successor provisions thereto (excluding (a) a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporate Taxpayer or (b) a group of Persons in which one or more Affiliates of the Founder Members, directly or indirectly hold Beneficial Ownership of securities representing more than 50% of the total voting power held by such group) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporate Taxpayer representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporate Taxpayer’s then outstanding voting securities; or
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(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer then serving: individuals who, on the IPO Date, constitute the Board and any new director whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Corporate Taxpayer’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the IPO Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (ii); or
(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporate Taxpayer with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (x) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (y) the voting securities of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or
(iv) the stockholders of the Corporate Taxpayer approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporate Taxpayer or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale, lease or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets to an entity at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such sale.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (ii) and clause (iii)(x) above, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in, and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
“Class A Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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“Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Corporate Taxpayer” means Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. and any successor corporation and shall include any Person that is a member of any consolidated Tax Return of which Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. is a member.
“Corporate Taxpayer Return” means the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporate Taxpayer filed with respect to Taxes of any Taxable Year, including any consolidated Tax Return.
“Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year means the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporate Taxpayer, up to and including such Taxable Year net of the Realized Tax Detriment for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedules or Amended Schedules, if any, in existence at the time of such determination; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the computation of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit shall be adjusted to reflect any applicable Determination with respect to any Realized Tax Benefits and/or Realized Tax Detriments.
“Default Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement.
“Default Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 500 basis points.
“Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD), including a settlement with the applicable Taxing Authority, that establishes the amount of any liability for Tax.
“Direct Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(a) of this Agreement.
“Early Termination Date” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.
“Early Termination Effective Date” means the date on which an Early Termination Schedule becomes binding pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
“Early Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
“Early Termination Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b) of this Agreement.
“Early Termination Rate” means the lesser of (i) 6.5% and (ii) LIBOR plus 100 basis points.
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“Early Termination Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
“Exchange” means any taxable acquisition (including a deemed taxable acquisition under Section 707(a) of the Code) of Units by the Corporate Taxpayer in exchange for Class A Shares and/or other consideration, and any deemed Exchange of Units pursuant to this Agreement.
“Exchange Date” means the date of any Exchange.
“Exchanging Holder” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“Expert” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.
“Founder Members” means ICL, Mir Imran, InCube Ventures II, LP, Rani Investment Corp., Biologix Partners, LP, and VH Rani, LP, and their respective Permitted Transferees.
“Future TRAs” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
“Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, an amount, not less than zero, equal to the liability for Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, OpCo (and OpCo’s applicable subsidiaries), but in the case of this clause (ii) only with respect to Taxes imposed on OpCo (and OpCo’s applicable subsidiaries) and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer, in each case using the same methods, elections, conventions, and practices used on the relevant Tax Return of the Corporate Taxpayer, but (a) using the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis as reflected on the Basis Schedule including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year, (b) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest attributable to any payment made under this Agreement for the Taxable Year, (c) using the Assumed Rate, solely for purposes of calculating the U.S. state and local Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer, and (d) assuming, solely for purposes of calculating the liability for U.S. federal income Taxes, in order to prevent double counting, that U.S. state and local Taxes are not deductible by the Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes. For the avoidance of doubt, Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to a Tax Attribute as applicable.
“ICL” means InCube Labs, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Imputed Interest” in respect of a TRA Party shall mean any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274, 7872 or 483 or other provision of the Code with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations in respect of such TRA Party under this Agreement.
“Interest Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
“IPO” means the initial public offering of Class A Shares by the Corporate Taxpayer (including any greenshoe related to such initial public offering).
“IPO Date” means the initial closing date of the IPO.
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“IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
“Joinder” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(a) of this Agreement.
“LIBOR” means during any period, the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source selected by the Corporate Taxpayer as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (an “Alternate Source”), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such period or, if such period is longer than one year, the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars having a maturity of one year (or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any LIBOR Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Corporate Taxpayer at such time, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error); provided, that at no time shall LIBOR be less than 0%. If the Corporate Taxpayer has made the determination (such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) LIBOR is no longer a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars or (ii) the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of LIBOR has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars, then the Corporate Taxpayer shall, subject to the prior written consent of the TRA Party Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, establish a replacement interest rate (the “Replacement Rate”), after giving due consideration to any evolving or then prevailing conventions for similar loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars for such alternative benchmark, and including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then prevailing convention for similar loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars for such benchmark, which adjustment, method for calculating such adjustment and benchmark shall be published on an information service as selected from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer. The Replacement Rate shall, subject to the next two sentences, replace LIBOR for all purposes under this Agreement. In connection with the establishment and application of the Replacement Rate, this Agreement shall be amended solely with the consent of the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo, as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Corporate Taxpayer, to effect the provisions of this definition. The Replacement Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Corporate Taxpayer, such Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by the Corporate Taxpayer.
“LLC Agreement” means, with respect to OpCo, the Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of OpCo, dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Market Value” shall mean, (i) with respect to an Exchange, the value of the Class A Shares on the applicable Exchange Date determined by the Corporate Taxpayer on a reasonable
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and consistent basis and used by the Corporate Taxpayer in its U.S. federal income Tax reporting with respect to such Exchange, and (ii) with respect to a deemed Exchange pursuant to Valuation Assumption (6), (A) if the Class A Common Stock trades on a National Securities Exchange (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or automated or electronic quotation system, the arithmetic average of the high trading price on such date (or if such date is not a Trading Day (as used in this definition, as defined in the LLC Agreement), the immediately preceding Trading Day) and the low trading price on such date (or if such date is not a Trading Day, the immediately preceding Trading Day) or (B) if the Class A Common Stock is not then traded on a National Securities Exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, as applicable, the Appraiser FMV (as defined in the LLC Agreement) of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock on such date.
“Material Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
“Net Tax Benefit” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
“Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made.
“Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.
“OpCo” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“Opt-Out Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c) of this Agreement.
“Permitted Transferee” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.
“Pre-Exchange Transfer” means any transfer (including upon death) or distribution in respect of one or more Units (i) that occurs prior to an Exchange of such Units, and (ii) to which Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code applies.
“Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the Actual Tax Liability of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, OpCo (and OpCo’s applicable subsidiaries), but only with respect to Taxes imposed on OpCo (and OpCo’s applicable subsidiaries) that are allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer under Section 704 of the Code. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.
“Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Actual Tax Liability over the Hypothetical Tax Liability of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, OpCo (and OpCo’s applicable subsidiaries), but only with respect to Taxes imposed
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on OpCo (and OpCo’s applicable subsidiaries) that are allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer under Section 704 of the Code. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.
“Reconciliation Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.
“Reconciliation Procedures” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.
“Redemption” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“Reference Asset” means any tangible or intangible asset that is held by OpCo, or by any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries treated as a partnership or disregarded entity (but only to the extent such indirect Subsidiaries are held through Subsidiaries treated as partnerships or disregarded entities) for purposes of the applicable Tax, at the time of an Exchange. A Reference Asset also includes any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset. For the avoidance of doubt, a Reference Asset does not include an asset held directly or indirectly by a Subsidiary treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.
“Schedule” means any of the following: (i) a Basis Schedule; (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule; or (iii) the Early Termination Schedule.
“Senior Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
“Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such Person, owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls more than 50% of the voting power or other similar interests or the sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such Person.
“Subsidiary Stock” means stock or other equity interest in a Subsidiary of OpCo that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.
“Tax Attributes” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“Tax Benefit Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
“Tax Benefit Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
“Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement filed or required to be filed with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including, without limitation, any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.
“Taxable Year” means a taxable year of the Corporate Taxpayer as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable section of state or local Tax law, as applicable (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than twelve (12) months for which a Tax Return is made), ending after the IPO Date.
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“Taxes” means any and all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits (including alternative minimum taxes and any franchise taxes that are based on or measured by net income or profits), and any interest related to such Tax.
“Taxing Authority” means any domestic, federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Tax regulatory authority.
“TRA Party” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.
“TRA Party Representative” means ICL.
“Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and proposed regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.
“Units” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.
“Valuation Assumptions” shall mean, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, (1) the Corporate Taxpayer will have taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the Tax items arising from the Tax Attributes (other than any items addressed in clause (2) below) during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future payments made under this Agreement that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available, (2) loss carryovers generated by deductions arising from any Tax Attributes or Imputed Interest that are available as of the date of such Early Termination Date will be used by the Corporate Taxpayer on a pro rata basis from the date of such Early Termination Date through the earlier of (x) the scheduled expiration date under applicable Tax law of such loss carryovers or (y) the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Early Termination Date, (3) the U.S. federal income Tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date, the Assumed Rate will be calculated based on such rates and the apportionment factors applicable in the most recently ended Taxable Year (except to the extent any change to such Tax rates has already been enacted into law), and LIBOR or the Replacement Rate, as applicable, that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be the rate in effect on the Early Termination Date, (4) any non-amortizable, non-depreciable assets (other than any Subsidiary Stock) will be disposed of on the fifteenth (15th) anniversary of the applicable Exchange and any cash equivalents will be disposed of twelve (12) months following the Early Termination Date, unless such date has passed in which case such assets will be deemed disposed of on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Early Termination Date; provided, that in the event of a Change of Control, such non-amortizable, non-depreciable assets shall be deemed disposed of at the time of sale (if applicable) of the
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relevant asset in the Change of Control (if earlier than such fifteenth (15th) anniversary), (5) any Subsidiary Stock will not be deemed to be disposed unless actually disposed, and (6) if, at the Early Termination Date, there are Units that have not been Exchanged, then each such Unit shall be deemed Exchanged for the Market Value (as determined in accordance with clause (ii) of the definition thereof) of the Class A Shares that would be transferred if the Exchange occurred on the Early Termination Date.
ARTICLE II
DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFIT
SECTION 2.1 Basis Schedule. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the due date (including extensions) of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for each relevant Taxable Year, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to the TRA Party Representative a schedule (the “Basis Schedule”) that shows, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement, (i) the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis of the Reference Assets as of each applicable Exchange Date, if any, (ii) the Basis Adjustment with respect to the Reference Assets as a result of the Exchanges effected in such Taxable Year or any prior Taxable Year, if any, calculated (1) in the aggregate and (2) with respect to Exchanges by each TRA Party, and (iii) the period (or periods) over which each such Basis Adjustment is amortizable and/or depreciable. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision and preparation of the Basis Schedules and Tax Benefit Schedules under this Agreement shall be borne by OpCo.
SECTION 2.2 Tax Benefit Schedule.
(a) Tax Benefit Schedule. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the due date (including extensions) of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or a Realized Tax Detriment, the Corporate Taxpayer shall provide to the TRA Party Representative a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit and Tax Benefit Payment, or the Realized Tax Detriment, as applicable, in respect of each TRA Party for such Taxable Year (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”). Each Tax Benefit Schedule will become final as provided in Section 2.3(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.3(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.3(b)).
(b) Applicable Principles. Subject to Section 3.3, the Realized Tax Benefit (or the Realized Tax Detriment) for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease (or increase) in the actual liability for Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year attributable to the Tax Attributes, determined using a “with and without” methodology. Carryovers or carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to any of the Tax Attributes shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. state and local Tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any Tax item includes a portion that is attributable to any Tax Attribute (“TRA Portion”) and another portion that is not (“Non-TRA Portion”), such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology so that the amount of any Non-TRA
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Portion is deemed utilized, to the extent available, prior to the amount of any TRA Portion, to the extent available (with the TRA Portion being applied on a proportionate basis consistent with the provisions of Section 3.3). For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to make reasonable simplifying assumptions in making determinations contemplated by this Agreement, including reasonable assumptions regarding basis recovery periods based on available balance sheet information and including the assumption that the Assumed Rate is to be applied against the amount of taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes that is used in calculating the Actual Tax Liability and the Hypothetical Tax Liability (and the parties hereby agree that that the Corporate Taxpayer’s determination of the Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment with respect to U.S. state and local Taxes will not take into account jurisdiction-specific U.S. state and local adjustments to the U.S. federal taxable income base or to the U.S. federal rules regarding the utilization of Tax attribute carryovers). The parties agree that (A) all Tax Benefit Payments (other than the portion of the Tax Benefit Payments treated as Imputed Interest) attributable to the Basis Adjustments will be treated as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments that have the effect of creating additional Basis Adjustments to Reference Assets for the Corporate Taxpayer in the year of payment, (B) as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments will be incorporated into the current year calculation and into future year calculations, as appropriate, on an iterative basis continuing until any incremental Basis Adjustment is immaterial as reasonably determined by the TRA Party Representative and the Corporate Taxpayer in good faith, (C) the Actual Tax Liability will take into account the deduction of the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment that must be accounted for as Imputed Interest, and (D) the liability for U.S. federal income Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer and the amount of taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes as determined for purposes of calculating the Actual Tax Liability and the Hypothetical Tax Liability shall include, without duplication, such liability for U.S. federal income Taxes and such U.S. federal taxable income that is economically borne by or allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer as a result of the provisions of Section 4.6(d) of the LLC Agreement; provided, however, that such liability for Taxes and such taxable income shall be included in the Hypothetical Tax Liability and the Actual Tax Liability subject to the adjustments and assumptions set forth in the definitions thereof and, to the extent any such amount is taken into account on an Amended Schedule, such amount shall adjust a Tax Benefit Payment, as applicable, in accordance with Section 2.3(b).
SECTION 2.3 Procedures, Amendments.
(a) Procedure. Every time the Corporate Taxpayer delivers to the TRA Party Representative an applicable Schedule under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.3(b), and any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule, the Corporate Taxpayer shall also (x) deliver to the TRA Party Representative supporting schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer or as reasonably requested by the TRA Party Representative, providing reasonable detail regarding data and calculations that were relevant for purposes of preparing the Schedule and (y) allow the TRA Party Representative reasonable access at no cost to the appropriate representatives at the Corporate Taxpayer, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer or as reasonably requested by the TRA Party Representative, in connection with a review of such Schedule. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that any Tax Benefit Schedule that is delivered to the TRA Party Representative,
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along with any supporting schedules and work papers, provides a reasonably detailed presentation of the calculation of the Actual Tax Liability and the Hypothetical Tax Liability and identifies any material assumptions or operating procedures or principles that were used for purposes of such calculations. An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall become final and binding on all parties thirty (30) calendar days from the date on which the TRA Party Representative is treated as having received the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto under Section 7.1 unless the TRA Party Representative (i) within thirty (30) calendar days from such date provides the Corporate Taxpayer with written notice of a material objection to such Schedule (“Objection Notice”) made in good faith or (ii) provides a written waiver of such right of any Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by the Corporate Taxpayer. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in the Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of an Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative shall employ the reconciliation procedures as described in Section 7.9 of this Agreement (the “Reconciliation Procedures”).
(b) Amended Schedule. The applicable Schedule for any Taxable Year may be amended from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct material inaccuracies in the Schedule identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the Schedule was provided to the TRA Party Representative, (iii) to comply with an Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit, or the Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other Tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or the Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year or (vi) to adjust an applicable TRA Party’s Basis Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement (any such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”). The Corporate Taxpayer shall provide an Amended Schedule to the TRA Party Representative when the Corporate Taxpayer delivers the Basis Schedule for the following taxable year.
SECTION 2.4 Basis Adjustments.
(a) Basis Adjustments. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree to treat (A) to the fullest extent permitted by law each Direct Exchange as giving rise to Basis Adjustments and (B) to the fullest extent permitted by law each Redemption using cash or Class A Common Stock contributed to OpCo by the Corporate Taxpayer as a direct purchase of Units by the Corporate Taxpayer from the applicable TRA Party pursuant to Section 707(a)(2)(B) of the Code as giving rise to Basis Adjustments.
(b) Section 754 Election. The Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that, on and after the date hereof for each taxable year in which an Exchange may occur, OpCo and each direct and indirect Subsidiary of OpCo that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (and under any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law).
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ARTICLE III
TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS
SECTION 3.1 Payments.
(a) Payments. Within five (5) Business Days after a Tax Benefit Schedule delivered to the TRA Party Representative becomes final in accordance with Section 2.3(a) and Section 7.9, if applicable, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay each TRA Party for the applicable Taxable Year the Tax Benefit Payment determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b) that is Attributable to such TRA Party. Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by such TRA Party to the Corporate Taxpayer or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such TRA Party. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of estimated Tax payments, including, without limitation, U.S. federal estimated income Tax payments and (y) the payments provided for pursuant to the above sentence shall be computed separately for each TRA Party.
(b) A “Tax Benefit Payment” in respect of a TRA Party for a Taxable Year means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the Net Tax Benefit that is Attributable to such TRA Party and the Interest Amount with respect thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, for tax purposes, the Interest Amount shall not be treated as interest, but instead, shall be treated as additional consideration in the applicable transaction, unless otherwise required by law. Subject to Section 3.3, the “Net Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year shall be an amount equal to the excess, if any, of 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit as of the end of such Taxable Year, over the total amount of payments previously made under the first sentence of Section 3.1(a) (excluding payments attributable to Interest Amounts); provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that no such recipient shall be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the parties acknowledge and agree that the determination of the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment to be paid to a TRA Party under this Agreement with respect to U.S. state and local Taxes shall not require separate “with and without” calculations in respect of each applicable U.S. state and local Tax jurisdiction but rather will be based on the U.S. federal taxable income or gain for such taxable year reported on the Corporate Taxpayer’s IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) and the Assumed Rate. The “Interest Amount” shall equal the interest on the Net Tax Benefit calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to Taxes for such Taxable Year until the payment date under Section 3.1(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for each Taxable Year ending on or after the date of a Change of Control that occurs after the IPO Date, all Tax Benefit Payments shall be calculated by utilizing Valuation Assumptions (1), (2), (4) and (5), substituting in each case the terms “date of a Change of Control” for an “Early Termination Date.”
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the aggregate payments to a TRA Party under this Agreement in respect of an Exchange shall not exceed 60% of the fair market value of the initial consideration received by a TRA Party on such Exchange (the “Default Cap”), provided that, if a TRA Party delivers written notification before the end of its taxable year that includes the Exchange to the Corporate Taxpayer of a stated maximum selling
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price (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 15A.453-1(c)(2)), the amount of the initial consideration received in connection with the applicable Exchange and the aggregate Tax Benefit Payments to such TRA Party in respect of such Exchange (other than amounts accounted for as interest under the Code) shall not exceed such stated maximum selling price, and the Default Cap shall not apply with respect to such TRA Party.
SECTION 3.2 No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner to ensure such intentions are realized.
SECTION 3.3 Pro Rata Payments. Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary, to the extent that the aggregate Realized Tax Benefit of the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to the Tax Attributes is limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient taxable income, the Net Tax Benefit of the Corporate Taxpayer shall collectively be allocated among all parties eligible for Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement in proportion to the amount of Net Tax Benefit, as such term is defined in this Agreement, that would have been Attributable to each such party if the Corporate Taxpayer had sufficient taxable income so that there were no such limitation.
SECTION 3.4 Payment Ordering. If for any reason the Corporate Taxpayer does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due under this Agreement in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Parties agree that (i) Tax Benefit Payments for such Taxable Year shall be allocated to all parties eligible for Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement in proportion to the amounts of Net Tax Benefit, respectively, that would have been Attributable to each TRA Party if the Corporate Taxpayer had sufficient cash available to make such Tax Benefit Payments and (ii) no Tax Benefit Payments shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments to all TRA Parties in respect of all prior Taxable Years have been made in full.
SECTION 3.5 Excess Payments. To the extent the Corporate Taxpayer makes a payment to a TRA Party in respect of a particular Taxable Year under Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement (taking into account Section 3.3 and Section 3.4) in an amount in excess of the amount of such payment that should have been made to such TRA Party in respect of such Taxable Year, then (i) such TRA Party shall not receive further payments under Section 3.1(a) until such TRA Party has foregone a cumulative amount of payments equal to such excess and (ii) the Corporate Taxpayer will pay the amount of such TRA Party’s foregone payments to the other Persons to whom a payment is due under this Agreement and that have not received any such excess payment in a manner such that each such Person to whom a payment is due under this Agreement, to the maximum extent possible, receives aggregate payments under Section 3.1(a) (taking into account Section 3.3 and Section 3.4) in the amount it would have received if there had been no excess payment to such TRA Party.
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ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION
SECTION 4.1 Early Termination of Agreement; Breach of Agreement.
(a) The Corporate Taxpayer may terminate this Agreement with respect to all amounts payable to the TRA Parties and with respect to all of the Units held by the TRA Parties at any time by paying to each TRA Party the Early Termination Payment in respect of such TRA Party; provided, however, that this Agreement shall only terminate upon the receipt of the Early Termination Payment by all TRA Parties, and provided, further, that the Corporate Taxpayer may withdraw any notice to execute its termination rights under this Section 4.1(a) prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Upon payment of the Early Termination Payment by the Corporate Taxpayer, none of the TRA Parties or the Corporate Taxpayer shall have any further payment obligations under this Agreement, other than for any (a) Tax Benefit Payments due and payable and that remain unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (b) Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of the Early Termination Notice (except to the extent that the amount described in clause (b) is included in the Early Termination Payment). If an Exchange occurs after the Corporate Taxpayer makes all of the required Early Termination Payments, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange.
(b) In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer (1) materially breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of failure to make any payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise or (2)(A) shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (i) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate a bankruptcy or insolvency, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts or (ii) seeking an appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or it shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (B) there shall be commenced against the Corporate Taxpayer any case, proceeding or other action of the nature referred to in clause (A) above that remains undismissed or undischarged for a period of sixty (60) calendar days, all obligations hereunder shall be automatically accelerated and shall be immediately due and payable, and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such breach and shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payments calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of a breach, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment due and payable and that remains unpaid as of the date of a breach, and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of any TRA Party due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of a breach; provided that procedures similar to the procedures of Section 4.2 shall apply with respect to the determination of the amount payable by the Corporate Taxpayer pursuant to this sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing (other than as set forth in subsection (2) above), in the event that the Corporate Taxpayer breaches this Agreement, each TRA Party shall be entitled to elect to receive the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above or to
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seek specific performance of the terms hereof. The parties agree that the failure to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such payment is due shall be deemed to be a material breach of a material obligation under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement, and that it will not be considered to be a material breach of a material obligation under this Agreement to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such payment is due. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it shall not be a material breach of a material obligation of this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer fails to make any Tax Benefit Payment when due to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer has insufficient funds to make such payment; provided, (i) the Corporate Taxpayer has used reasonable efforts to obtain such funds and (ii) that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment (unless the Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient funds to make such payment as a result of limitations imposed by any Senior Obligations, in which case Section 5.2 shall apply, but the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate); provided further, for the avoidance of doubt, the last sentence of this Section 4.1(b) shall not apply to any payments due pursuant to the acceleration upon a Change of Control contemplated by Section 4.1(c).
(c) The Corporate Taxpayer shall provide written notice to the TRA Party Representative thirty (30) days in advance of the closing of any Change of Control, and the TRA Party Representative shall have the option, upon written notice to the Corporate Taxpayer (“Opt-Out Notice”) within twenty (20) days thereafter, to cause its respective TRA Parties to continue as TRA Parties under this Agreement after such Change of Control, in which case each such TRA Party will not be entitled to receive the amounts set forth in the remainder of this Section 4.1(c), and Valuation Assumptions (1), (2), (4) and (5) shall apply to Tax Benefit Payments to each such TRA Party following the closing of such Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing sentence in this Section 4.1(c), if an Opt-Out Notice is not timely provided with respect to a TRA Party, all obligations hereunder will be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Change of Control and shall include (1) the Early Termination Payments calculated with respect to such TRA Parties as if the Early Termination Date is the date of such Change of Control, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment due and payable and that remains unpaid as of the date of such Change of Control, and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of any TRA Party due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of such Change of Control. If an Opt-Out Notice is not timely provided with respect to a TRA Party, (i) such TRA Party shall be entitled to receive the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of the preceding sentence, (ii) any Early Termination Payment described in the preceding sentence shall be calculated utilizing Valuation Assumptions (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6), substituting in each case the terms “date of a Change of Control” for an “Early Termination Date,” and (iii) Section 4.2 and Section 4.3 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, with respect to payments to such TRA Party upon the Change of Control.
SECTION 4.2 Early Termination Notice. If the Corporate Taxpayer chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.1 above, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to each TRA Party notice of such intention to exercise such right (“Early Termination Notice”) and shall deliver to the TRA Party Representative a schedule (the “Early Termination Schedule”) specifying the Corporate Taxpayer’s intention to exercise such right and showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment(s) due for each TRA Party.
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Each Early Termination Schedule shall become final and binding on all parties thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which all applicable TRA Parties are treated as having received such Schedule or amendment thereto under Section 7.1 unless the TRA Party Representative (i) within thirty (30) calendar days after such date provides the Corporate Taxpayer with notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith (“Material Objection Notice”) or (ii) provides a written waiver of such right of a Material Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by the Corporate Taxpayer. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in such notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of the Material Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures in which case such Schedule becomes binding ten (10) calendar days after the conclusion of the Reconciliation Procedures.
SECTION 4.3 Payment upon Early Termination.
(a) Within three (3) calendar days after an Early Termination Effective Date, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to each TRA Party an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment in respect of such TRA Party. Such payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by such TRA Party or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such TRA Party or, in the absence of such designation or agreement, by check mailed to the last mailing address provided by such TRA Party to the Corporate Taxpayer.
(b) “Early Termination Payment” in respect of a TRA Party shall equal the present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of the applicable Early Termination Effective Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of such TRA Party that would be required to be paid by the Corporate Taxpayer beginning from the Early Termination Date and assuming that the Valuation Assumptions in respect of such TRA Party are applied and that each Tax Benefit Payment for the relevant Taxable Year would be satisfied on the due date (without extensions) under applicable law as of the Early Termination Effective Date for filing of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer.
ARTICLE V
SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS
SECTION 5.1 Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment or payments made with respect to Section 4.1(c) due to events described in paragraph (ii) of the definition of Change of Control required to be made by the Corporate Taxpayer to the TRA Parties under this Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Subsidiaries (“Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu in right of payment with all current or future unsecured obligations of the Corporate Taxpayer that are not Senior Obligations. To the extent that any payment under this Agreement is not permitted to be made at the time payment is due as a result of this Section 5.1 and the terms of agreements governing
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Senior Obligations, such payment obligation nevertheless shall accrue for the benefit of TRA Parties and the Corporate Taxpayer shall make such payments at the first opportunity that such payments are permitted to be made in accordance with the terms of the Senior Obligations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates enters into future Tax receivable or other similar agreements (“Future TRAs”), the Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that the terms of any such Future TRA shall provide that the Tax Attributes subject to this Agreement are considered senior in priority to any Tax attributes subject to any such Future TRA for purposes of calculating the amount and timing of payments under any such Future TRA.
SECTION 5.2 Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer. Subject to the proviso in the last sentence of Section 4.1(b), the amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment not made to the TRA Parties when due under the terms of this Agreement, whether as a result of Section 5.1 or otherwise, shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate and commencing from the date on which such Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment was first due and payable to the date of actual payment.
ARTICLE VI
NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION
SECTION 6.1 Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and OpCo’s Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo, including without limitation the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporate Taxpayer shall notify the TRA Party Representative of, and keep the TRA Party Representative reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit of the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which is reasonably expected to materially affect the rights and obligations of the TRA Parties under this Agreement, and shall provide the TRA Party Representative reasonable opportunity to provide information and other input to the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo and their respective advisors concerning the conduct of any such portion of such audit; provided, however, that the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo shall not be required to take any action that is inconsistent with any provision of the LLC Agreement.
SECTION 6.2 Consistency. The Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Parties agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including U.S. federal, state and local tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all Tax-related items (including, without limitation, the Tax Attributes and each Tax Benefit Payment) in a manner consistent with that contemplated by this Agreement or specified by the Corporate Taxpayer in any Schedule required to be provided by or on behalf of the Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement unless otherwise required by law. The Corporate Taxpayer shall (and shall cause OpCo and its other Subsidiaries to) use commercially reasonable efforts (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the interests and entitlements of all TRA Parties under this Agreement) to defend the Tax treatment contemplated by this Agreement and any Schedule in any audit, contest or similar proceeding with any Taxing Authority.
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SECTION 6.3 Cooperation. Each of the TRA Parties shall (a) furnish to the Corporate Taxpayer in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials in its possession as the Corporate Taxpayer may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (b) make itself available to the Corporate Taxpayer and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the Corporate Taxpayer or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter, and the Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse each such TRA Party for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6.3. Upon the request of any TRA Party, the Corporate Taxpayer shall cooperate in taking any action reasonably requested by such TRA Party in connection with its tax or financial reporting and/or the consummation of any assignment or transfer of any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement, including without limitation, providing any information or executing any documentation.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by facsimile or email with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment or (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:
If to the Corporate Taxpayer, to:
Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.
2051 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, California 95131
Attention: Svai Sanford, Chief Financial Officer
Email: svai@ranitherapeutics.com
If to the TRA Parties, to the respective addresses, fax numbers and email addresses set forth in the records of OpCo.
Any party may change its address or email by giving the other party written notice of its new address or email in the manner set forth above.
SECTION 7.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
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SECTION 7.3 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 7.5 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
SECTION 7.6 Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers.
(a) No TRA Party may, directly or indirectly, assign or otherwise transfer its rights under this Agreement to any Person (other than a Permitted Transferee) without the express prior written consent of the Corporate Taxpayer, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, and without such Person (including a Permitted Transferee) executing and delivering a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, agreeing to become a TRA Party for all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in such joinder (a “Joinder”). For avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.6(a) shall apply regardless of whether such TRA Party continues to hold any interest in the Corporate Taxpayer or OpCo; provided, however, that if a TRA Party transfers Units in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement but does not assign to the transferee of such Units its rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units, such TRA Party shall continue to be entitled to receive the Tax Benefit Payments arising in respect of a subsequent Exchange of such Units. Any assignment, or attempted assignment in violation of this Agreement, including any failure of a purported assignee to enter into a Joinder or to provide any forms or other information to the extent required hereunder, shall be null and void, and shall not bind or be recognized by the Corporate Taxpayer or the TRA Parties. The Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to treat the record owner of any rights under this Agreement as the absolute owner thereof and shall incur no liability for payments made in good faith to such owner until such time as a written assignment of such rights is permitted pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Section 7.6(a) and has been recorded on the books of the Corporate Taxpayer.
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(b) No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by each of the Corporate Taxpayer and by the TRA Party Representative; provided, that no such amendment shall be effective if such amendment will have a disproportionate effect on the payments one or more TRA Parties receive under this Agreement unless such amendment is consented in writing by such TRA Parties disproportionately affected who would be entitled to receive at least two-thirds of the total amount of the Early Termination Payments payable to all TRA Parties disproportionately affected hereunder if the Corporate Taxpayer had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such amendment (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any TRA Party pursuant to this Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange). No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.
(c) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Corporate Taxpayer shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporate Taxpayer, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporate Taxpayer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
SECTION 7.7 Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
SECTION 7.8 Resolution of Disputes.
(a) Except as provided by Section 7.9, any dispute that is not amicably resolved within thirty (30) days after being notified to the other parties rising out of or relating to this Agreement, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision), or the propriety of the commencement of the arbitration (each a “Dispute”) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. The seat or legal place of arbitration shall be New York. If the parties to the Dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within thirty (30) calendar days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings. The arbitration shall be deemed to meet these qualifications unless a party objects with five (5) days of nomination.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the Corporate Taxpayer may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, enforcing and/or challenging an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this
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paragraph (b), each TRA Party (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.8 to any such action or proceeding, (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate, and (iii) irrevocably appoints the Corporate Taxpayer as agent of such TRA Party for service of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise the TRA Party of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the TRA Party in any such action or proceeding.
(c) (i) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 7.8, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm, enforce or challenge an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another; and
(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in the preceding paragraph of this Section 7.8 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.
SECTION 7.9 Reconciliation. In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by Sections 2.3 and 4.2 within the relevant period designated in this Agreement (“Reconciliation Dispute”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert (the “Expert”) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to both parties. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting or law firm, and unless the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative agree otherwise, the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with the Corporate Taxpayer or the TRA Party Representative or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, then the Expert shall be appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the TRA Party’s Basis Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within thirty (30) calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within fifteen (15) calendar days or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by
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the Corporate Taxpayer, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne by the Corporate Taxpayer except as provided in the next sentence. The Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative shall bear their own costs and expenses of such proceeding, unless (i) the Expert adopts the TRA Party Representative’s position, in which case the Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse the relevant TRA Party Representative for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding, or (ii) the Expert adopts the Corporate Taxpayer’s position, in which case the TRA Party Representative shall reimburse the Corporate Taxpayer for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.9 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.9 shall be binding on the Corporate Taxpayer and each of the TRA Parties and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.
SECTION 7.10 Withholding. The Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporate Taxpayer is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax law; provided that, prior to deducting or withholding any such amounts, the Corporate Taxpayer shall notify the TRA Party Representative and shall consult in good faith with such TRA Party Representative regarding the basis for such deduction or withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporate Taxpayer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of whom such withholding was made. To the extent that any payment pursuant to this Agreement is not reduced by such deductions or withholdings, such recipient shall indemnify the applicable withholding agent for any amounts imposed by any Taxing Authority together with any costs and expenses related thereto, but not including penalties and interest attributable to the applicable withholding agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each TRA Party shall promptly provide the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo or other applicable withholding agent with any applicable Tax forms and certifications (including IRS Form W-9 or the applicable version of IRS Form W-8) reasonably requested, in connection with determining whether any such deductions and withholdings are required under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax law.
SECTION 7.11 Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.
(a) If the Corporate Taxpayer is or becomes a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group of corporations that files a consolidated, combined or unitary income Tax Return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state, local or foreign law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated, combined or unitary taxable income, gain, loss, deduction and attributes of the group as a whole.
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(b) If the Corporate Taxpayer (or any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) transfers or is deemed to transfer any Unit or any Reference Asset to a transferee that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (other than a member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) in a transaction in which the transferee’s basis in the property acquired is determined in whole or in part by reference to such transferor’s basis in such property, then the Corporate Taxpayer shall cause such transferee to assume the obligation to make payments hereunder with respect to the applicable Tax Attributes associated with any Reference Asset or interest therein acquired (directly or indirectly) in such transfer (taking into account any gain recognized in the transaction) in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement as the transferee (or one of its Affiliates) actually realizes Tax benefits from the Tax Attributes.
(c) If OpCo or any applicable Subsidiary transfers (or is deemed to transfer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) any Reference Asset to a transferee that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (other than a member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) in a transaction in which the transferee’s basis in the property acquired is determined in whole or in part by reference to such transferor’s basis in such property, OpCo or the applicable Subsidiary shall be treated as having disposed of the Reference Asset in a wholly taxable transaction. The consideration deemed to be received by OpCo or the applicable Subsidiary in the transaction contemplated in the prior sentence shall be equal to the fair market value of the deemed transferred asset, plus (i) the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to such asset, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest. The transactions described in this Section 7.11(c) and Section 7.11(e) below shall be taken into account in determining the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, as applicable, for such Taxable Year based on the income, gain or loss deemed allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer using the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis of the Reference Assets in calculating its Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year and using the actual Tax basis of the Reference Assets in calculating its Actual Tax Liability, determined using the “with and without” methodology. Thus, for example, in determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer, the taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer shall be determined by treating OpCo as having sold the applicable Reference Asset for its fair market value, recovering any basis applicable to such Reference Asset (using the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis), while the Actual Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer would be determined by recovering the actual Tax basis of the Reference Asset that reflects any Basis Adjustments.
(d) If any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a) that owns any Unit deconsolidates from the group (or the Corporate Taxpayer deconsolidates from the group), then the Corporate Taxpayer shall cause such member (or the parent of the consolidated group in a case where the Corporate Taxpayer deconsolidates from the group) to assume the obligation to make payments hereunder with respect to the applicable Tax Attributes associated with any Reference Asset it owns (directly or indirectly) in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement as the member (or one of its Affiliates) actually realizes Tax benefits. If a transferee or a member of a group described in Section 7.11(a) assumes an obligation to make payments pursuant to this Section 7.11(d), then the initial obligor is relieved of the obligation assumed.
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(e) If the Corporate Taxpayer (or any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) transfers (or is deemed to transfer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) any Unit in a transaction that is wholly or partially taxable, then for purposes of calculating payments under this Agreement, OpCo shall be treated as having disposed of the portion of any Reference Asset (determined based on a pro rata share of an undivided interest in each Reference Asset) that is indirectly transferred by the Corporate Taxpayer or other entity described above (i.e., taking into account the number of Units transferred) in a wholly or partially taxable transaction, as applicable, in which all income, gain or loss is allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer. The consideration deemed to be received by OpCo shall be equal to the fair market value of the deemed transferred asset, plus (i) the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to such asset, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest.
SECTION 7.12 Confidentiality.
(a) Each TRA Party and each of their assignees acknowledge and agree that the information of the Corporate Taxpayer is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for the Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, such person shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters, acquired pursuant to this Agreement, of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates and successors, concerning OpCo, its members and its Affiliates and successors, learned by the TRA Party heretofore or hereafter. This Section 7.12 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of the TRA Party in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community and (ii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for the TRA Party to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each TRA Party and each of their assignees (and each employee, representative or other agent of the TRA Party or its assignees, as applicable) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the Tax treatment and Tax structure of the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo and their Affiliates, and any of their transactions, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other Tax analyses) that are provided to the TRA Party relating to such Tax treatment and Tax structure.
(b) If a TRA Party or an assignee commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.12, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.12 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Subsidiaries or the TRA Parties and the accounts and funds managed by the Corporate Taxpayer and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.
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SECTION 7.13 Partnership Agreement. This Agreement shall be treated as part of the LLC Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.
SECTION 7.14 Change in Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, in connection with an actual or proposed change in law, a TRA Party reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by the TRA Party upon any Exchange by such TRA Party to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain (or otherwise taxed at ordinary income rates) for U.S. federal income Tax purposes or would have other material adverse Tax consequences to such TRA Party, then at the election of such TRA Party and to the extent specified by such TRA Party, this Agreement (i) shall cease to have further effect with respect to such TRA Party, (ii) shall not apply to an Exchange by such TRA Party occurring after a date specified by such TRA Party, or (iii) shall otherwise be amended in a manner determined by such TRA Party, provided that such amendment shall not result in an increase in payments under this Agreement at any time as compared to the amounts and times of payments that would have been due in the absence of such amendment.
SECTION 7.15 Electronic Signature. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com), deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer and each TRA Party have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| Corporate Taxpayer | ||
| RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
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| OpCo: | ||
| RANI THERAPEUTICS, LLC | ||
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[Signature Page to the Exchanges Tax Receivable Agreement]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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| [TRA PARTY 2] | ||
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[Signature Page to the Exchanges Tax Receivable Agreement]
Exhibit A
Form of Joinder
This JOINDER (this “Joinder”) to the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below), is by and among Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (including any successor corporation the “Corporate Taxpayer”), ______________________ (“Transferor”) and ______________________ (“Permitted Transferee”).
WHEREAS, on ______________________, Permitted Transferee shall acquire ______________________ percent of the Transferor’s right to receive payments that may become due and payable under the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below) (the “Acquired Interests”) from Transferor (the “Acquisition”); and
WHEREAS, Transferor, in connection with the Acquisition, has required Permitted Transferee to execute and deliver this Joinder pursuant to Section 7.6(a) of the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of [ ], between the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo and the TRA Parties (as defined therein) (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1.1 Definitions. To the extent capitalized words used in this Joinder are not defined in this Joinder, such words shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 1.2 Acquisition. For good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by the Transferor and the Permitted Transferee, the Transferor hereby transfers and assigns absolutely to the Permitted Transferee all of the Acquired Interests.
Section 1.3 Joinder. Permitted Transferee hereby acknowledges and agrees (i) that it has received and read the Tax Receivable Agreement, (ii) that the Permitted Transferee is acquiring the Acquired Interests in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Tax Receivable Agreement and (iii) to become a “TRA Party” (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) for all purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 1.4 Notice. Any notice, request, consent, claim, demand, approval, waiver or other communication hereunder to Permitted Transferee shall be delivered or sent to Permitted Transferee at the address set forth on the signature page hereto in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 1.5 Governing Law. This Joinder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.
A-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by Permitted Transferee as of the date first above written.
| RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
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| Title: |
| [TRANSFEROR] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
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| Title: |
| [PERMITTED TRANSFEREE] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
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| Title: |
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| Address for notices: | ||
A-2
Exhibit 10.2
FORM OF EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
THIS EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [•], 2021, by and between Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the persons and entities (each, a “Contributor” and collectively, the “Contributors”) listed on Schedule I below. Each of the Contributors and the Company shall be known as a “Party” herein.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, each Contributor owns Class B Voting Units (“Class B Units”) of Rani Therapeutics, LLC (“Rani LLC”).
WHEREAS, each Contributor desires to assign, convey, transfer, deliver, and contribute all of his, her, or its, rights, obligations, titles, and other interests in his, her, or its Class B Units to the Company, and the Company desires to accept and assume such rights, obligations, titles, and other interests.
WHEREAS, in consideration of each Contributor’s assignment, conveyance, transfer, delivery, and contribution of his, her, or its Class B Units to the Company, the Company desires to issue and deliver to each such Contributor a number of shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company (the “Class B Common Stock”) equal to the number of Class B Units received by the Company from such Contributor.
WHEREAS, the Contributors’ contributions of Class B Units to the Company in exchange for Class B Common Stock, taken together with the Company’s issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”) in the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”) and certain exchanges of Class A Common Units of Rani LLC for shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the IPO, is intended to constitute a transaction described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Contribution of Units. Effective as of the date hereof, each Contributor hereby assigns, conveys, transfers, delivers, and contributes to the Company, and the Company hereby accepts and assumes from Contributor, all of Contributor’s right, title, obligations, and other interest in and to the Class B Units owned by such Contributor.
2. Exchange by the Company. Effective as of the date hereof, in consideration of each Contributor’s assignment, conveyance, transfer, delivery and contribution to the Company of all of his, her, or its Class B Units, the Company hereby issues and delivers to each such Contributor, and each such Contributor hereby accepts and assumes from the Company, a number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to the number of Class B Units received by the Company from such Contributor.
3. Company Agreement to be Bound. If and to the extent the Company is not already a member of Rani LLC, the Company hereby agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the limited liability company agreement of Rani LLC (the “LLC Agreement”) as in effect on the date hereof, and hereby assumes all obligations of each Contributor under such LLC Agreement in respect of the Class B Units.
4. Tax Reporting.
a. As of the date hereof, no Contributor has a binding obligation to dispose of any shares of Class B Common Stock received in exchange for Class B Units pursuant to this Agreement.
b. The Contributors’ exchange of Class B Units for Class B Common Stock, taken together with the Company’s issuance of Class A Common Stock in the IPO and certain exchanges of Class A Common
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Units of Rani LLC for shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the IPO, is intended to constitute a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Parties to this Agreement shall prepare all tax returns consistent with such intended tax treatment, unless otherwise required by applicable law.
c. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, no Party to this Agreement is providing any representations or warranties as to the tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each Party is relying solely on its own tax advisors as to such tax consequences, including in the event of any Internal Revenue Service challenge to the intended tax treatment.
5. Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, Company, Rani LLC and their agents and affiliates shall have the right to deduct and withhold taxes from any payments to be made pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement if, in their opinion, such withholding is required by law, and shall be provided with any necessary Tax forms, including Form W-9 (attached hereto as Exhibit A) or an appropriate Form W-8, and any similar information. To the extent that any of the aforementioned amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been delivered and paid to the recipient of the payments in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. To the extent that any payment pursuant to this Agreement is not reduced by such deductions or withholdings, such recipient shall indemnify the applicable withholding agent for any amounts imposed by any taxing authority together with any costs and expenses related thereto.
6. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire Agreement; Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement, together with any agreements referenced herein, constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the Parties with regard to the subject matter hereof. No Party shall be liable or bound to any third party in any manner with regard to the subject matter hereof by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein. No amendment, supplement, modification, or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by all the Parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such wavier constitute a continuing waiver unless expressly agreed to in writing by the affected party.
(b) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to applicable principles of conflicts of law.
(c) Further Assurances. Each Party hereto agrees to execute and deliver all such other and additional instruments and documents and do all such other acts and things as may be necessary to more fully effectuate this Agreement.
(d) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement, and such court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart.
(f) Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon each of the Parties hereto and their successors and assigns.
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(g) Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver, by the proper exercise of its corporate, limited liability company, partnership or other powers, all such other and additional instruments and documents and do all such other acts and things as may be necessary to more fully effectuate this Agreement.
(Signature Pages Follow)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Exchange Agreement as of the date first written above.
| THE COMPANY: | ||
| RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| a Delaware corporation | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO EXCHANGE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Exchange Agreement as of the date first written above.
| CONTRIBUTOR: | ||
| Name: | ||
| (Print party name) | ||
| By: | ||
| (Signature) | ||
| Name: | ||
| (Print name of signatory, if signing for an entity) | ||
| Title: | ||
| (Print title of signatory, if signing for an entity) | ||
| Address: | ||
| Email: | ||
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO EXCHANGE AGREEMENT]
SCHEDULE I
CONTRIBUTORS
EXHIBIT A
FORM W-9
Exhibit 10.3
FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
THE “INVESTORS”
as defined herein,
Dated as of [●], 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||||
| 1. |
DEFINITIONS |
1 | ||||||
| 2. |
REGISTRATION RIGHTS |
4 | ||||||
| 2.1 |
Demand Registration |
4 | ||||||
| 2.2 |
Shelf Take-Downs |
6 | ||||||
| 2.3 |
Company Registration |
6 | ||||||
| 2.4 |
Underwriting Requirements |
7 | ||||||
| 2.5 |
Obligations of the Company |
8 | ||||||
| 2.6 |
Furnish Information |
11 | ||||||
| 2.7 |
Expenses of Registration |
11 | ||||||
| 2.8 |
Delay of Registration |
12 | ||||||
| 2.9 |
Indemnification |
12 | ||||||
| 2.10 |
Reports Under Exchange Act |
14 | ||||||
| 2.11 |
Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights; No Inconsistent Agreement |
15 | ||||||
| 2.12 |
“Market Stand-off” Agreement |
15 | ||||||
| 2.13 |
Termination of Registration Rights |
16 | ||||||
| 3. |
HEDGING TRANSACTIONS |
16 | ||||||
| 4. |
MISCELLANEOUS |
16 | ||||||
| 4.1 |
Nominees for Beneficial Owners |
16 | ||||||
| 4.2 |
Amendments and Waivers |
17 | ||||||
| 4.3 |
Notices |
17 | ||||||
| 4.4 |
Successors and Assigns |
18 | ||||||
| 4.5 |
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial |
18 | ||||||
| 4.6 |
Heading; Interpretations |
19 | ||||||
| 4.7 |
Severability |
19 | ||||||
| 4.8 |
Specific Performance |
19 | ||||||
| 4.9 |
Further Assurances |
19 | ||||||
| 4.10 |
Additional Investors |
19 | ||||||
| 4.11 |
Entire Agreement |
19 | ||||||
| 4.12 |
Delays or Omissions |
19 | ||||||
| 4.13 |
Counterparts |
20 | ||||||
i
FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of the [●] day of [●], 2021, by and among Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and each of the Investors listed on Schedule A hereto (together with their successors and Permitted Transferees as provided herein, an “Investor”) and any Person that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 4.10 hereto as an “Investor.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Investors hold Registrable Securities (as defined herein).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and obligations hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
1.1 “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, including without limitation any general partner, managing member, officer or director of such Person or any venture capital or private equity fund now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners or managing members of, or shares the same management company with, such Person.
1.2 “Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.
1.3 “Block Sale” means the sale of Equity Securities to one or several purchasers in a registered transaction by means of (i) a bought deal, (ii) a block trade or (iii) a registered direct sale.
1.4 “Class A Common Stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company and any and all securities of any kind whatsoever which may be issued after the date hereof in respect of, or in exchange for, such Class A common stock of the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend, conversion or recapitalization of the Company or otherwise.
1.5 “Company” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.
1.6 “Damages” means any loss, damage or liability (joint or several) to which a party hereto may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such loss, damage or liability (or any action in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement of the Company, including any preliminary prospectus, issuer free writing prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto; (ii) an omission or alleged omission to state in any registration statement of the Company, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements therein, a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the
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statements therein not misleading; or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the indemnifying party (or any of its agents or Affiliates) of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law.
1.7 “Demand Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).
1.8 “Equity Securities” means (i) any and all equity securities of the Company held, directly or indirectly, by the Holders from time to time and (ii) any and all other shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, securities of the Company convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, such shares and options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities.
1.9 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.10 “Excluded Registration” means (i) a registration relating to the sale of securities to employees of the Company or a subsidiary pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase, or similar plan; (ii) a registration relating to an SEC Rule 145 transaction; (iii) a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities; or (iv) a registration in which either (A) no Class A Common Stock is being registered or (B) the only Class A Common Stock being registered is Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered.
1.11 “Form S-1” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC.
1.12 “Form S-3” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC that permits incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.
1.13 “Fund Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 2.9(e).
1.14 “Fund Indemnitors” has the meaning specified in Section 2.9(e).
1.15 “Holder” means any other holder of Registrable Securities who is a party to this Agreement.
1.16 “Immediate Family Member” means a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, of a natural Person referred to herein.
1.17 “Initiating Holders” means, collectively, Holders who properly initiate a registration request under this Agreement.
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1.18 “Investor” has the meaning specified in the Preamble.
1.19 “IPO” means the Company’s first underwritten public offering of its Class A Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
1.20 “Permitted Transferee” has the meaning set forth in the Rani LLC Agreement.
1.21 “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
1.22 “Rani LLC” means Rani Therapeutics, LLC, a California limited liability company, and its successors.
1.23 “Rani LLC Agreement” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Rani LLC, dated as of [●], 2021, as may be amended, amended and restated, or otherwise modified from to time.
1.24 “Registrable Securities” means (i) any shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Holders at any time; (ii) any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable (directly or indirectly) upon conversion and/or exercise of any other securities of the Company held by the Holders at any time; (iii) any shares of Class A Common Stock issued as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right, or other security that is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, the shares referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) above held by the Holders; or (iv) any shares of Class A Common Stock that may be delivered in exchange for equity interests in Rani LLC pursuant to the terms of the Rani LLC Agreement held by the Holders. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (A) a registration statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration statement, (B) such securities shall have been sold (other than in a privately negotiated sale where the transferor has assigned its rights under this Agreement and the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms hereof) in compliance with the requirements of SEC Rule 144, as such SEC Rule 144 may be amended (or any successor provision thereto) or (C) the registration rights have terminated with respect to such securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of this Agreement.
1.25 “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.26 “SEC Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.
1.27 “SEC Rule 145” means Rule 145 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.
1.28 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.29 “Shelf Underwritten Offering” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2.
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1.30 “Take-Down Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2.
2. Registration Rights. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:
2.1 Demand Registration.
(a) Form S-1 Demand. Subject to Section (c), if the Company receives a request from any Investor at any time after ninety (90) days following the closing of an IPO (so as to effect the registration one hundred eighty (180) days following an IPO, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter) that the Company file a Form S-1 registration statement, then the Company shall (i) within ten (10) days after the date such request is given, give notice thereof (the “Demand Notice”) to all Holders other than the Initiating Holders; and (ii) as soon as practicable and within sixty (60) days after the date such request is given by the Initiating Holders but in no event earlier than the earlier of (x) one hundred eighty (180) days following an IPO or (y) the effective date of the underwriters’ waiver of the any of the restrictions set forth in the applicable lock-up agreement entered into in connection with an IPO, file a Form S-1 registration statement under the Securities Act covering all Registrable Securities that the Initiating Holders requested to be registered and any additional Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holders, as specified by notice given by each such Holder to the Company within twenty (20) days of the date the Demand Notice is given, and in each case, subject to the limitations of Section 2.4.
(b) Form S-3 Demand. Subject to Section (c), if at any time when it is eligible to use a Form S-3 registration statement, the Company receives a request from at least 15% of the Registrable Securities held by Investors that the Company file a Form S-3 registration statement with respect to outstanding Registrable Securities, then the Company shall (x) within ten (10) days after the date such request is given, give a Demand Notice to all Holders other than the Initiating Holders; and (y) as soon as practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the date such request is given by the Initiating Holders, file a Form S-3 registration statement under the Securities Act covering all Registrable Securities that the Initiating Holders requested to be registered and any additional Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by any other Holders, as specified by notice given by each such Holder to the Company within twenty (20) days of the date the Demand Notice is given, and in each case, subject to the limitations of Section 2.4. If the Company is a WKSI at the time of any request for Registration in this Section (b), such Form S-3 shall be an automatic shelf registration statement.
(c) Limitations on Registration. The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to Section (a) if the Initiating Holders propose to dispose of shares of Registrable Securities that may be then be eligible to be registered on Form S-3 pursuant to a request made pursuant to Section (b). The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to Section (b) if the Company has effected two (2) registrations pursuant to Section (b) within the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the date of such request. A registration shall not be counted as “effected” for purposes of this Section (c) (i) until such time as the applicable registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC, unless the Initiating Holders withdraw their request for such registration and elect not to pay the registration expenses pursuant to Section 2.7, in which case such withdrawn registration statement shall be counted as “effected” for purposes of this
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Section (c); provided, however, in the event that a withdrawal by the Holders is based upon material adverse information relating to the Company that is different from the information known or available (upon request from the Company or otherwise) to the Holders requesting registration at the time of their request for registration under this Section 2.1, such registration shall not be treated as “effected” for purposes of this Section 2.1, even though the Holders do not bear the registration expenses for such registration, (ii) if such registration statement is not maintained effective for the period required pursuant to Section 2.5(a) or (iii) if the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement is subject to a stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement of the SEC during such period, in which case, such requesting holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to an additional registration pursuant to Section (a) in lieu thereof.
(d) At any time before a registration statement covering Registrable Securities becomes effective, the Initiating Holders may request the Company to withdraw or not to file a registration statement. In addition, in the event that a registration statement covering such Registrable Securities is not declared effective within 120 days from the date of first filing with the SEC, the Initiating Holders shall not be deemed to have used one of the registration rights pursuant to Section (c).
(e) Delay in Filing. If the Company furnishes to the Initiating Holders requesting a registration pursuant to Section (a) or Section (b) a certificate signed by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company (after consultation with external legal counsel) it would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its stockholders for such registration statement to either become effective or remain effective for as long as such registration statement otherwise would be required to remain effective because such action would (i) materially and adversely interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Company; (ii) require premature disclosure of material, non-public information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential and which would be required to be made in, or incorporated into, such registration statement so that such registration statement would not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (iii) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, in each case, the Company shall have the right, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Initiating Holders requesting such registration, to delay the filing or initial effectiveness (but not the preparation) of, or suspend use of, such registration statement, and any time periods with respect to filing or effectiveness thereof shall be tolled correspondingly, for a period of not more than forty five (45) days after the request of the Initiating Holders is given; provided that the Company may not invoke this right only once in any twelve (12) month period; provided, further, that the Company shall not deliver a suspension notice pursuant to this Section (e) unless all of the Company’s executive officers and directors are similarly prohibited from effecting any public sales of securities of the Company beneficially owned by them for the duration of such suspension period; and provided, further, that the Company shall not register any securities for its own account or that of any other stockholder during such forty five (45) day period other than pursuant to a registration relating to the sale of securities to employees of the Company or a subsidiary pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase, or similar plan; a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same
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information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities; or a registration in which the only Class A Common Stock being registered is Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered. If the Company so delays the filing or the effectiveness of, or suspends the use of, a registration statement, the Initiating Holder shall be entitled, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such written notice, to withdraw such registration request and, if such registration request is withdrawn, such registration request shall not count for the purposes of the limitations set forth in Section (c).
2.2 Shelf Take-Downs. At any time that a Form S-3 registration statement covering Registrable Securities is effective, subject to Section 2.1(c) and Section 2.1(d), if any of the Investors delivers a notice to the Company (a “Take-Down Notice”) stating that it intends to effect an underwritten offering of all or part of its Registrable Securities included by it on the Form S-3 registration statement (a “Shelf Underwritten Offering”), then the Company shall amend or supplement the Form S-3 registration statement as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed pursuant to the Shelf Underwritten Offering:
(a) with respect to any Take-Down Notice that does not pertain to a Block Sale, within two (2) days of receipt of such Take-Down Notice, the Company shall also deliver the Take-Down Notice to all Holders other than the proposing Holder included on such Form S-3 registration statement and permit each Holder to include its Registrable Securities included on the Form S-3 registration statement in the Shelf Underwritten Offering if such Holder notifies the proposing Holder and the Company within five (5) days after delivery (including via e-mail, if available) of the Take-Down Notice to such Holder;
(b) with respect to any Take-Down Notice pertaining to a Block Sale, within one (1) business day of receipt of such Take-Down Notice, the Company shall also deliver the Take-Down Notice to all Holders other than the proposing Holder included on such Form S-3 registration statement and permit each Holder to include its Registrable Securities included on the Form S-3 registration statement in the Block Sale if such Holder notifies the proposing Holder and the Company within one (1) day after delivery (including via e-mail, if available) of the Take-Down Notice to such Holder; and
(c) in the event that the underwriter advises such proposing Holder and the Company in its good faith opinion that the total number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such offering is such as to adversely affect the success of such offering (including, without limitation, adversely affect the per share offering price), then the underwriter may limit the number of shares which would otherwise be included in such take-down offering in the same manner as described in Section 2.4(a) with respect to a limitation of shares to be included in a registration.
2.3 Company Registration. If the Company proposes to register (including, for this purpose, a registration effected by the Company for stockholders other than the Holders) any of its Class A Common Stock under the Securities Act in connection with the public offering of such securities solely for cash (other than in an Excluded Registration), the Company shall, at such time, promptly give each Holder notice of such registration. Upon the request of each Holder given within twenty (20) days after such notice is given by the Company, the Company shall, subject to
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the provisions of Section 2.4, cause to be registered all of the Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested to be included in such registration. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2.3 before the effective date of such registration, whether or not any Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such registration; provided, however, the Company shall not have the right to withdraw the registration of the Registrable Securities unless it is also terminating or withdrawing the registration initiated by it under this Section 2.3 for its own securities. The expenses (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section 2.7.
2.4 Underwriting Requirements.
(a) If, pursuant to Section 2.1, the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to Section 2.1, and the Company shall include such information in the Demand Notice. In the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a), the underwriter(s) will be selected by a majority-in-interest of the Initiating Holders and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. In the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.3, the underwriter(s) will be selected by the Company and shall be reasonably acceptable to a majority-in-interest of the Holders who have requested to be included in such registration. In such event, the right of any Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company as provided in Section 2.5(e)) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter(s) selected for such underwriting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.4, if the managing underwriter(s) advise(s) the Initiating Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, then the Initiating Holders shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that otherwise would be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be allocated among such Holders of Registrable Securities, including the Initiating Holders, in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the number of Registrable Securities owned by each Holder; provided, however, that the number of Registrable Securities held by the Initiating Holders to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced unless all other securities are first entirely excluded from the underwriting. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the above provisions, the Company or the underwriters may round the number of shares allocated to any Holder to the nearest 100 shares.
(b) In connection with any offering involving an underwriting of shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to Section 2.3, the Company shall not be required to include any of the Holders’ Registrable Securities in such underwriting unless the Holders accept the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and its underwriters, and then only in such quantity as the underwriters in their sole discretion determine will not jeopardize the success of the offering by the Company. If the total number of securities, including Registrable Securities, requested by stockholders to be included in such offering exceeds the number of securities to be sold (other than by the Company) that the underwriters in their reasonable discretion determine is compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be
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required to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities, which the underwriters and the Company in their sole discretion determine will not jeopardize the success of the offering. If the underwriters determine that less than all of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered can be included in such offering, then the Registrable Securities that are included in such offering shall be allocated among the selling Holders in proportion (as nearly as practicable to) the number of Registrable Securities owned by each selling Holder. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the above provisions, the Company or the underwriters may round the number of shares allocated to any Holder to the nearest 100 shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall (i) the number of Registrable Securities included in the offering be reduced unless all other securities (other than securities to be sold by the Company) are first entirely excluded from the offering, (ii) the number of Registrable Securities included in the offering be reduced below twenty five percent (25%) of the total number of securities included in such offering, or (iii) notwithstanding (ii) above, any Registrable Securities which are Registrable Securities held by the Investors be excluded from such underwriting unless all other Registrable Securities (other than securities to be sold by the Company) are first excluded from such offering. For purposes of the provision in this Section (b) concerning apportionment, for any selling Holder that is a partnership, limited liability company or corporation, the partners, members, retired partners, retired members, stockholders and Affiliates of such Holder, or the estates and Immediate Family Members of any such partners, retired partners, members and retired members and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing Persons, shall be deemed to be a single “selling Holder,” and any pro rata reduction with respect to such “selling Holder” shall be based upon the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all Persons included in such “selling Holder,” as defined in this sentence.
(c) For purposes of Section 2.1, a registration shall not be counted as “effected” if, as a result of an exercise of the underwriter’s cutback provisions in Section (a), fewer than fifty percent (50%) of the total number of Registrable Securities that the Initiating Holders have requested to be included in such registration statement are actually included.
2.5 Obligations of the Company. Whenever required under this Section 2 to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and, upon the request of the Initiating Holders, keep such registration statement effective for a period of up to one hundred eighty (180) days or, if earlier, until the distribution contemplated in the registration statement has been completed; provided, however, that (i) such one hundred eighty (180) day period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder refrains, at the request of an underwriter of Class A Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company, from selling any securities included in such registration and (ii) in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities on Form S-3 that are intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, subject to compliance with applicable SEC rules, such one hundred eighty (180) day period shall be extended for up to two (2) years, if necessary, to keep the registration statement effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold; provided, further, that at least five (5) days before filing a registration statement or any amendments or supplements thereto (including documents that would
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be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall furnish or otherwise make available to the holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and comment of the Investors’ counsel and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC; provided, further, that the Company shall not file any such registration statement or any amendments or supplements thereto (including such documents that, upon filing, would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) with respect to a registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a) to which the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object, in writing, on a timely basis, unless, in the opinion of the Company, such filing is necessary to comply with applicable law;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement, the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement or any other required document as may be necessary to comply with the Securities Act in order to enable the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement;
(c) furnish to the selling Holders, its counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, without charge, such number of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, as required by the Securities Act or as may be reasonably requested, and such other documents as such selling Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate their disposition of their Registrable Securities;
(d) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or blue-sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the selling Holders; provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;
(e) in the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the underwriter(s) of such offering, and make such representations and warranties in the underwriting agreement to the holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the registration statement, prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and, if true, confirm the same if and when reasonably requested;
(f) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on a national securities exchange or trading system and each securities exchange and trading system (if any) on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
(g) use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish, (i) an opinion, dated as of the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if
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such securities are being sold through underwriters, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Holders requesting registration of Registrable Securities and (ii) “comfort” letters dated as of the date such Registrable Securities are priced and on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, in each case if such securities are being sold through underwriters, from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters;
(h) provide and caused to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement and provide a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration;
(i) promptly make available for inspection by the selling Holders, any managing underwriter(s) participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney or accountant or other agent retained by any such underwriter or selected by the selling Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent, in each case, as necessary or advisable to verify the accuracy of the information in such registration statement and to conduct appropriate due diligence in connection therewith;
(j) use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months, but not more than eighteen months, beginning with the first month after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;
(k) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practicable;
(l) use its commercially reasonable efforts to qualify such Registrable Securities for inclusion on the automated quotation system of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or such other national securities exchange on which any shares of Class A Common Stock are listed or quoted, or, if the Class A Common Stock is not then listed or quoted, use commercially reasonable efforts to list such Registrable Securities on a national securities exchange as the holders of a majority of such Registrable Securities shall reasonably request;
(m) notify each selling Holder and such selling Holder’s counsel, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time (i) when such registration statement has been declared effective; (ii) a supplement to any prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed; (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
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respect to any comments by the SEC with respect to such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any request by the SEC for the amending or supplementing thereof or for additional information with respect thereto, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose, and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of such Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purposes ; or (vi) of the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such registration statement or related prospectus, free writing prospectus, amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, as then in effect, untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such documents so that, in the case of the registration statement, 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, not misleading, and that in the case of the prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (which notice shall notify the selling Holders only of the occurrence of such an event and shall provide no additional information regarding such event to the extent such information would constitute material non-public information);
(n) after such registration statement becomes effective, notify each selling Holder of any request by the SEC that the Company amend or supplement such registration statement or prospectus; and
(o) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.
2.6 Furnish Information. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Section 2 with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Holder that such Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as is reasonably required to effect the registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities.
2.7 Expenses of Registration. All expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Section 2, including all registration, filing, qualification, listing and ratings agency fees; printers’ and accounting fees; Securities Act liability insurance if the Company so desires or any underwriters require; and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Holders who shall have such Registrable Securities effected in registration, shall be borne and paid by the Company, whether or not any registration statement is filed or becomes effective. All underwriting discounts and commissions relating to Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Section 2 shall be borne and paid by the Holders pro rata on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities registered on their behalf.
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2.8 Delay of Registration. No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any registration pursuant to this Agreement as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Section 2.
2.9 Indemnification. If any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement whether or not pursuant to this Section 2:
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each selling Holder, and the partners, members, officers, directors and stockholders of each such Holder; legal counsel and accountants for each such Holder; any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for each such Holder; and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter, broker or any other Person acting on behalf of the Holders , against any Damages, and the Company will pay to each such Holder, controlling Person or other aforementioned Person any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred thereby in connection with investigating or defending any claim or proceeding from which Damages may result, as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section (a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld, nor shall the Company be liable for any Damages to the extent that they arise out of or are based upon actions or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by or on behalf of any such Holder, underwriter, controlling Person or other aforementioned Person expressly for use in connection with such registration.
(b) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of its directors, each of its officers who has signed the registration statement, each Person (if any), who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, legal counsel and accountants for the Company, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act), any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement, and any controlling Person of any such underwriter or other Holder, against any Damages, in each case only to the extent that such Damages arise out of or are based upon actions or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by or on behalf of such selling Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration; and each such selling Holder will pay to the Company and each other aforementioned Person any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred thereby in connection with investigating or defending any claim or proceeding from which Damages may result, as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section (b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld; provided, further, that in no event shall the aggregate amounts payable by any Holder by way of indemnity or contribution under this Section (b) and Section (d) exceed the proceeds from the offering actually received by such Holder (net of any underwriting discounts and commissions paid by such Holder), except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such Holder.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 2.9 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action) for which a party may be entitled to indemnification hereunder, such indemnified party will, if a claim in
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respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 2.9, give the indemnifying party notice of the commencement thereof. The indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in such action and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, participate jointly with any other indemnifying party to which notice has been given, and to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party (together with all other indemnified parties that may be represented without conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to retain one separate counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such action. The failure to give notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section 2.9, to the extent that such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party’s ability to defend such action. The failure to give notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2.9.
(d) To provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either (i) any party otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 2.9 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case, notwithstanding the fact that this Section 2.9 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of any party hereto for which indemnification is provided under this Section 2.9, then, and in each such case, such parties will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, Damages, liabilities or expenses to which they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of each of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the statements, omissions or other actions that resulted in such loss, claim, Damage, liability, or expense, as well as to reflect any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact, or the omission or alleged omission of a material fact, relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided, however, that, in any such case, (x) no Holder will be required to contribute any amount in excess of the public offering price of all such Registrable Securities offered and sold by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement, and (y) no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation; provided, further, that in no event shall a Holder’s liability pursuant to this Section (d), when combined with the amounts paid or payable by such Holder pursuant to Section (b), exceed the proceeds from the offering received by such Holder (net of any underwriting discounts and commissions paid by such Holder), except in the case of willful misconduct or fraud by such Holder.
(e) The Company hereby acknowledges that certain Holders (the “Fund Indemnitees”) may have rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance
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with respect to their service on the Board of Directors of the Company or otherwise in connection with their involvement with the Company provided by other Persons (collectively, the “Fund Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to the Fund Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Fund Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by the Fund Indemnitees are secondary), (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by the Fund Indemnitees and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Agreement and the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company (or any other agreement between the Company and the Fund Indemnitees), without regard to any rights the Fund Indemnitees may have against the Fund Indemnitors, and, (iii) that it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Fund Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Fund Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Fund Indemnitors on behalf of the Fund Indemnitees with respect to any claim for which the Fund Indemnitees have sought indemnification from the Company shall affect the foregoing and the Fund Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Fund Indemnitees against the Company. The Company and the Fund Indemnitors agree that the Fund Indemnitees are express third party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section (e).
(f) The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 2.9 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration under this Section 2, and otherwise shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
2.10 Reports Under Exchange Act. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of SEC Rule 144 and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form S-3, the Company shall:
(a) make and keep available adequate current public information, as those terms are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, at all times after the effective date of the registration statement filed by the Company for the IPO;
(b) use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after the Company has become subject to such reporting requirements); and
(c) furnish to any Holder, so long as the Holder owns any Registrable Securities, forthwith upon request (i) to the extent accurate, a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the registration statement filed by the Company for the IPO), the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act (at any time after the Company has become subject to such reporting requirements), or that it qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after the Company so qualifies); and (ii) such other information as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits
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the selling of any such securities without registration (at any time after the Company has become subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act) or pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after the Company so qualifies to use such form).
2.11 Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights; No Inconsistent Agreement.
(a) From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Holders, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company that (A) would provide to such holder the right to include securities in any registration on other than either a pro rata basis with respect to the Registrable Securities or on a subordinate basis after all Holders have had the opportunity to include in the registration and offering all shares of Registrable Securities that they wish to so include or (B) allow such holder or prospective holder to initiate a demand for registration of any securities held by such holder or prospective holder; provided that this limitation shall not apply to any additional Investor who becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with Section 4.10.
(b) The Company hereby represents that, as of the date hereof, the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with any other agreements to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
2.12 “Market Stand-off” Agreement. If requested by the Company and an underwriter of Class A Common Stock or any other Equity Securities of the Company, each Holder shall not, without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter(s), during the period commencing on the date of the final prospectus relating to the registration by the Company of shares of its Class A Common Stock or any other Equity Securities under the Securities Act on a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3, and ending on the date specified by the Company and the managing underwriter (such period not to exceed ninety (90) days or such other period as may be requested by the Company or an underwriter), (i) lend; 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 Class A Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable (directly or indirectly) for Class A Common Stock held immediately before the effective date of the registration statement for such offering or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Class A Common Stock or other securities, in cash, or otherwise; provided that all executive officers and directors of the Company are bound by and have entered into similar agreements unless waived by the Holders, which waiver shall be in the sole discretion of the Holders. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 shall not apply to (i) the registration and sale of any Registrable Securities on a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3 or (ii) the sale of any shares by the Holders to an underwriter pursuant to an underwriting agreement (including any Registrable Securities), or the transfer of any shares to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the Holder or an Immediate Family Member of the Holder, provided that the trustee of the trust agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein, and provided,
15
further, that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value. The underwriters in connection with such registration are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Section 2.12 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto. If requested by the Company and an underwriter of Class A Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company, each Holder further agrees to execute such agreements as may be reasonably requested by the underwriters in connection with such registration that are consistent with this Section 2.12 or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. Any discretionary waiver or termination of the restrictions of any or all of such agreements by the Company or the underwriters shall apply pro rata to all Holders subject to such agreements, based on the number of shares subject to such agreements.
2.13 Termination of Registration Rights. The right of any Holder to request inclusion of Registrable Securities in any registration pursuant to Section 2.1 shall terminate and be of no further force or effect at such time after the IPO that such Holder holds less than 1% of the Company’s then outstanding Class A Common Stock (treating for this purpose all shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of or conversion of outstanding options, warrants or convertible securities, as if exercised or convertedf); provided, that such Holder’s rights and obligations pursuant to Section 2.9, as well as the Company’s obligations to pay expenses pursuant to Section 2.7, shall survive with respect to any registration statement in which any Registrable Securities of such Holder were included and, for the avoidance of doubt, any underwriter lock-up pursuant to Section 2.12 that a Holder has executed prior to a Holder’s termination in accordance with this clause shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms.
3. Hedging Transactions. The parties agree that the provisions of this Agreement relating to the registration, offer and sale of Registrable Securities apply also to (i) any transaction which transfers some or all of the economic risk of ownership of Registrable Securities, including any forward contract, equity swap, put or call, put or call equivalent position, collar, margin loan, sale of exchangeable security or similar transaction (including the registration, offer and sale under the Securities Act of Registrable Securities pledged to the counterparty to such transaction or of securities of the same class as the underlying Registrable Securities by the counterparty to such transaction in connection therewith), and that the counterparty to such transaction shall be selected in the sole discretion of the Holders and (ii) any derivative transactions in which a broker-dealer, other financial institution or unaffiliated Person may sell Registrable Securities covered by any prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement including short sale transactions using Registrable Securities pledged by a Holder or borrowed from the Holder or others and Registrable Securities loaned, pledged or hypothecated to any such party. The prospectus shall permit, in connection with derivative transactions, a broker-dealer, other financial institution or third party to sell shares of the Registrable Securities covered by such prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions.
4. Miscellaneous.
4.1 Nominees for Beneficial Owners. If Registrable Securities are held by a nominee for the beneficial owner thereof, the beneficial owner thereof may, at its option, be treated as the Holder of such Registrable Securities for purposes of any request or other action by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, provided that the Company shall have received assurances reasonably satisfactory to it of such beneficial ownership, written confirmation from such nominee and the beneficial owner agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, including Section 2.12.
16
4.2 Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or any Holder unless such modification, amendment or waiver is approved in writing by the Company and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar). No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other or future exercise of any such right, power or privilege.
4.3 Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt or: (i) personal delivery to the party to be notified; (ii) when sent, if sent by e-mail during the recipient’s normal business hours, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day; (iii) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (iv) one (1) business day after the business day of deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next-day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the Investors at their addresses as set forth on Schedule A hereto, or to the principal office of the Company and to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer, in the case of the Company, or to such facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 4.3. If notice is given to the Company or to the Investors, a copy shall be sent to such party at the addresses set forth below:
if to the Company, to:
Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.
2051 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, CA 95131
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Email: svai@ranitherapeutics.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to
Cooley LLP
3175 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130
Attention: Josh Seidenfeld
Email: jseidenfeld@cooley.com
17
if to the Investors, to:
[c/o
[Address]
Attention:
Email: ]
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Attention: Adam Bloom
Email: abloom@wsgr.com
4.4 Successors and Assigns. The rights under this Agreement may be assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a Holder to a transferee of Registrable Securities in accordance with the Company’s organizational documents and the Rani LLC Agreement provided, however, that (A) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee and the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred; and (B) such transferee agrees in a written instrument delivered to the Company to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the provisions of Section 2.11. For the purposes of determining the number of shares of Registrable Securities held by a transferee, the holdings of a transferee (i) that is an Affiliate or stockholder of a Holder; (ii) who is a Holder’s Immediate Family Member; or (iii) that is a trust for the benefit of an individual Holder or such Holder’s Immediate Family Member shall be aggregated together and with those of the transferring Holder; provided, further, that all transferees who would not qualify individually for assignment of rights shall have a single attorney-in-fact for the purpose of exercising any rights, receiving notices, or taking any action under this Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement inure to the benefit of and are binding upon the respective successors and permitted assignees of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assignees any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein. If any Holder shall acquire additional Registrable Securities, such Registrable Securities shall be subject to all of the terms, and entitled to all the benefits, of this Agreement.
4.5 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Any dispute relating hereto shall be heard in the state or federal courts of Delaware, and the parties agree to exclusive jurisdiction and venue therein and waive any objection based on venue or forum non conveniens with respect to any action instituted therein. TO THE EXTENT ALLOWABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE 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.
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4.6 Heading; Interpretations. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. All Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided. When used in this Agreement, the words “include,” “includes” and “including” are to be read as if they were followed by the phrase “without limitation.”
4.7 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
4.8 Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that there would be no adequate remedy at law if any party fails to perform any of its obligations hereunder, and accordingly agree that each party, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to injunctive relief, including specific performance, to enforce such obligations without the posting of any bond, and, if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law. All remedies, either under this Agreement, by law, or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
4.9 Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.10 Additional Investors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Company issues to any Person additional Class A Common Stock or equity interests convertible into or exercisable for shares of Class A Common Stock, such Person may become an “Investor” pursuant to this Agreement with the prior written consent of the Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Investors by (i) executing and delivering an additional counterpart signature page to this Agreement, and (ii) agreeing in writing to be bound by all of the obligations of an “Investor” hereunder. Thereafter, each additional Investor shall be deemed an “Investor” for all purposes hereunder.
4.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including any Schedules hereto) constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled.
4.12 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-
19
defaulting party, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of or acquiescence to any such breach or default, or to any similar breach or default thereafter occurring, nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. All remedies, whether under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
4.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. For purposes of this Agreement, a document (or signature page thereto) signed and transmitted by facsimile machine or other electronic means (including pdf) is to be treated as an original document. The signature of any party on any such document, for purposes hereof, is to be considered as an original signature, and the document transmitted is to be considered to have the same binding effect as an original signature on an original document. At the request of any party, any facsimile or other electronic signature is to be re-executed in original form by the party which executed the facsimile or other electronic signature. No party may raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means, or the fact that any signature was transmitted through the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means, as a defense to the enforcement of this Agreement.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY: | ||
| RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: |
| |||
|
|
Title: |
|
Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| INVESTOR: | ||
| [●] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: |
| |||
|
|
Title: |
|
Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
SCHEDULE A
Investors
[NAME]
[Address]
Attention: [name]
Exhibit 10.4
RANI THERAPEUTICS, LLC
FORM OF FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
AGREEMENT
Dated as of [ ], 2021
THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH UNITS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM, AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS | 2 | |||||
| ARTICLE II ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS | 13 | |||||
| 2.1 |
Formation of Company | 13 | ||||
| 2.2 |
Limited Liability Company Agreement | 13 | ||||
| 2.3 |
Name | 13 | ||||
| 2.4 |
Purpose | 13 | ||||
| 2.5 |
Powers | 13 | ||||
| 2.6 |
Principal Office; Registered Office | 13 | ||||
| 2.7 |
Term | 14 | ||||
| 2.8 |
No State-Law Partnership | 14 | ||||
| 2.9 |
Tax Treatment | 14 | ||||
| 2.10 |
Prior Agreements | 14 | ||||
| ARTICLE III CAPITALIZATION; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS | 14 | |||||
| 3.1 |
Capitalization. | 14 | ||||
| 3.2 |
General Provisions with Respect to Units. | 16 | ||||
| 3.3 |
Capital Accounts. | 20 | ||||
| 3.4 |
Negative Capital Accounts | 21 | ||||
| 3.5 |
No Withdrawal | 21 | ||||
| 3.6 |
Loans From Members | 21 | ||||
| ARTICLE IV DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS | 21 | |||||
| 4.1 |
Distributions | 21 | ||||
| 4.2 |
Allocations of Net Profit and Net Loss | 23 | ||||
| 4.3 |
Special Allocations | 23 | ||||
| 4.4 |
Tax Allocations. | 25 | ||||
| 4.5 |
Other Allocation Rules | 26 | ||||
| 4.6 |
Withholding Taxes. | 26 | ||||
| 4.7 |
Allocations Upon Final Liquidation | 28 | ||||
| ARTICLE V MANAGEMENT |
28 | |||||
| 5.1 |
Designation and Authority of Managing Member | 28 | ||||
| 5.2 |
Actions of the Managing Member | 29 | ||||
| 5.3 |
Compensation; Expenses. | 29 | ||||
i
Table of Contents
(Continued)
| Page | ||||||
| 5.4 |
Delegation of Authority. | 31 | ||||
| 5.5 |
Limitation of Liability | 31 | ||||
| ARTICLE VI RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS | 32 | |||||
| 6.1 |
Limitation of Liability | 32 | ||||
| 6.2 |
Lack of Authority | 32 | ||||
| 6.3 |
No Right of Partition | 33 | ||||
| 6.4 |
Indemnification. | 33 | ||||
| ARTICLE VII BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS | 34 | |||||
| 7.1 |
Records and Accounting | 34 | ||||
| 7.2 |
Fiscal Year | 34 | ||||
| 7.3 |
Reports | 34 | ||||
| 7.4 |
Transmission of Communications | 35 | ||||
| 7.5 |
Confidentiality. | 35 | ||||
| ARTICLE VIII TAX MATTERS | 36 | |||||
| 8.1 |
Preparation of Tax Returns | 36 | ||||
| 8.2 |
Tax Elections | 36 | ||||
| 8.3 |
Tax Controversies | 36 | ||||
| ARTICLE IX RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF UNITS | 37 | |||||
| 9.1 |
Transfers of Units | 37 | ||||
| 9.2 |
Restricted Units Legend | 39 | ||||
| 9.3 |
Assignee’s Rights | 40 | ||||
| 9.4 |
Assignor’s Rights and Obligations | 40 | ||||
| 9.5 |
Further Restrictions | 41 | ||||
| 9.6 |
Counterparts; Joinder | 42 | ||||
| 9.7 |
Ineffective Transfer | 42 | ||||
| ARTICLE X ADMISSION OF MEMBERS | 42 | |||||
| 10.1 |
Substituted Members | 42 | ||||
| 10.2 |
Additional Members | 42 | ||||
| 10.3 |
Additional Managing Member | 43 | ||||
ii
Table of Contents
(Continued)
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE XI WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS |
43 | |||||
| ARTICLE XII REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS |
44 | |||||
| 12.1 |
Exchange Procedures. | 44 | ||||
| 12.2 |
Exchange Payment | 44 | ||||
| 12.3 |
Splits, Distributions and Reclassifications | 45 | ||||
| 12.4 |
PubCo Covenants | 45 | ||||
| 12.5 |
Exchange Taxes | 46 | ||||
| 12.6 |
PubCo Call Rights | 46 | ||||
| 12.7 |
Distribution Rights | 46 | ||||
| 12.8 |
Exchange Restrictions | 46 | ||||
| 12.9 |
Tax Matters | 47 | ||||
| 12.10 |
Withholding | 48 | ||||
| 12.11 |
Representations and Warranties | 48 | ||||
| ARTICLE XIII DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP | 48 | |||||
| 13.1 |
Dissolution | 48 | ||||
| 13.2 |
Winding Up and Termination | 49 | ||||
| 13.3 |
Deferment; Distribution in Kind | 50 | ||||
| 13.4 |
Cancellation of Certificate | 50 | ||||
| 13.5 |
Reasonable Time for Winding Up | 50 | ||||
| 13.6 |
Return of Capital | 51 | ||||
| ARTICLE XIV VALUATION | 51 | |||||
| 14.1 |
Value | 51 | ||||
| 14.2 |
Determination and Dispute | 51 | ||||
| ARTICLE XV GENERAL PROVISIONS | 51 | |||||
| 15.1 |
Power of Attorney. | 51 | ||||
| 15.2 |
Amendments. | 52 | ||||
| 15.3 |
Title to Company Assets | 53 | ||||
| 15.4 |
Addresses and Notices | 53 | ||||
| 15.5 |
Binding Effect | 54 | ||||
| 15.6 |
Creditors | 54 | ||||
| 15.7 |
Waiver | 54 | ||||
iii
Table of Contents
(Continued)
| Page | ||||||
| 15.8 |
Counterparts | 54 | ||||
| 15.9 |
Applicable Law; Waiver of Jury Trial | 54 | ||||
| 15.10 |
Severability | 55 | ||||
| 15.11 |
Further Action | 55 | ||||
| 15.12 |
Delivery by Facsimile | 55 | ||||
| 15.13 |
Offset | 55 | ||||
| 15.14 |
Entire Agreement | 56 | ||||
| 15.15 |
Remedies | 56 | ||||
| 15.16 |
Descriptive Headings; Interpretation | 56 | ||||
| 15.17 |
Spousal Consent | 56 | ||||
| EXHIBIT AND SCHEDULES | ||||||
| Exhibit A |
Form of Election of Exchange |
A-1 | ||||
iv
RANI THERAPEUTICS, LLC
FORM OF FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
AGREEMENT
THIS FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT, dated as of [•], 2021, is entered into by and among Rani Therapeutics, LLC, a California limited liability company (the “Company”), Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), and the Members, and is made effective as of the Effective Time. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in Article I.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and certain of the Members entered into the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of October 30, 2020 (as amended, the “Prior Agreement”).
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2021, the Board of Managers (as defined in the Prior Agreement) of the Company approved an “Up-C IPO structure” pursuant to which PubCo desires to effect a proposed underwritten initial public offering of shares of its Class A common stock (the “IPO”).
WHEREAS, immediately prior to the Effective Time and in contemplation of the IPO, (i) all outstanding Profits Interests automatically converted into a fewer number of Common Units that are not subject to a “Profits Interest Threshold Amount” (as defined in the Prior Agreement) and ceased to exist as Common Units that are Profits Interests pursuant to Sections 12 and 13(a) of the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Profits Interest Conversion”), and (ii) all outstanding Preferred Units automatically converted into Common Units pursuant to Section 3.13(b)(i) of the Prior Agreement and ceased to exist as Preferred Units, as agreed by the Board of Managers of the Company on June 14, 2021, and approved by a “Majority in Interest of the Members” (as defined in the Prior Agreement) and a “Majority in Interest of the Preferred Members” (as defined in the Prior Agreement) (the “Preferred Unit Conversion”).
WHEREAS, at the Effective Time, (i) all Common Units received in the Profits Interest Conversion are, automatically without any further action on the part of the Company and the Members, reclassified and changed into Class A Common Units, and cease to exist as Common Units; and (ii) all other Common Units (including Common Units received in the Preferred Unit Conversion) are, automatically without any further action on the part of the Company and the Members, reclassified and changed into Class A Common Units paired with a corresponding number of Class B Voting Units as set forth herein, and shall cease to exist as Common Units (the conversions described in this recital, the “Recapitalization”).
WHEREAS, after the Effective Time and prior to the effectiveness of PubCo’s initial public offering (the “Pre-IPO Effective Time”), certain holders of Class A Common Units will contribute all of their Class A Common Units to PubCo in exchange for Class A Common Stock, immediately after which the holders of Class B Voting Units will contribute all of their Class B Voting Units to PubCo in exchange for Class B Common Stock (the exchanges described in this recital, the “Pre-IPO Exchanges,” and the agreements pursuant to which the Pre-IPO Exchanges are effected, the “Exchange Agreements”).
WHEREAS, immediately following the Pre-IPO Exchanges, (i) PubCo, as holder of all the Class B Voting Units, designates itself as, and is hereby admitted to the Company as, Managing Member, and in such capacity shall have the rights and obligations as provided in this Agreement, and (ii) PubCo shall use the net proceeds received from the IPO to purchase Class A Common Units from the Company.
WHEREAS, the Company, PubCo, and a Majority in Interest of the Members desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein effective as of the Effective Time, at which time the Prior Agreement will be superseded entirely by this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree to amend and restate the Prior Agreement to read in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be applied to the terms used in this Agreement for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary.
“Additional Member” means a Person admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Section 10.2.
“Adjusted Capital Account Balance” means, with respect to each Member, the balance in such Member’s Capital Account adjusted (i) by taking into account the adjustments, allocations and distributions described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6); and (ii) by adding to such balance such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), any amounts such Member is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or by applicable law. The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Balance is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
“Admission Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
“Affiliate” of any Person means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Person in question.
“Agreement” means this Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Rani Therapeutics, LLC.
2
“Appraiser FMV” means the fair market value of any Equity Security as determined by an independent appraiser mutually agreed upon by the Managing Member and the relevant Exchanging Member, whose determination shall be final and binding for those purposes for which Appraiser FMV is used in this Agreement. Appraiser FMV shall be the fair market value determined without regard to any discounts for minority interest, illiquidity or other discounts. The cost of any independent appraisal in connection with the determination of Appraiser FMV in accordance with this Agreement shall be borne by the Company.
“Articles” means the Company’s Articles of Organization as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of California, as amended or amended and restated from time to time.
“Assignee” means a Person to whom any Units have been Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement but who has not become a Member pursuant to Article X.
“Assumed Tax Rate” means the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate (including the tax imposed under Section 1411 of the Code on net investment income) for a Taxable Year prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in California or New York, New York (whichever results in the application of the highest state and local tax rate for a given type of income), and taking into account (a) the limitations imposed on the deductibility of expenses and other items, (b) the character (e.g., long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt income) of the applicable income, and (c) the deductibility of state and local income taxes, to the extent applicable (and with any dollar limitation on state and local income tax deductibility assumed to be exceeded), but not taking into account any deduction under Section 199A of the Code or any similar state or local law, as determined in good faith by the Managing Member. For the avoidance of doubt, the Assumed Tax Rate shall be the same for all Members.
“Base Rate” means, on any date, a variable rate per annum equal to the rate of interest most recently published by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” at large U.S. money center banks.
“Board” means the board of directors of PubCo, as constituted at any given time.
“Book Value” means with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that (i) the initial Book Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such asset; (ii) the Book Value of any property of the Company distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the gross Fair Market Value of such property on the date of distribution; and (iii) the Book Values of assets of the Company shall be increased (or decreased) to the extent the Managing Member determines reasonably and in good faith that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv).
“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks located in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
3
“California Act” means the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, Title 2.6, California Corporations Code, Section 17701.01 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor to the California Act.
“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Member pursuant to Section 3.3.
“Capital Contribution” means any cash, cash equivalents, promissory obligations or the Fair Market Value of other property which a Member contributes to the Company pursuant to Section 3.1.
“Capital Stock” shall mean any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) including, without limitation, partnership or membership interests (including any components thereof such as capital accounts, priority returns or the like) in a limited partnership or limited liability company and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.
“Cash Exchange Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(b).
“Cash Exchange Payment” means with respect to a particular Exchange for which PubCo has elected to make a Cash Exchange Payment in accordance with Section 12.1(b):
(i) if the Class A Common Stock trades on a National Securities Exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, an amount of cash equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would have been received by the Exchanging Member in the Exchange for that portion of the Class A Common Units subject to the Exchange set forth in the Cash Exchange Notice if PubCo had paid the Stock Exchange Payment with respect to such number of Class A Common Units, and (y) the Class A 3-Day VWAP; or
(ii) if the Class A Common Stock is not then traded on a National Securities Exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, as applicable, an amount of cash equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would have been received by the Exchanging Member in the Exchange for that portion of the Class A Common Units subject to the Exchange set forth in the Cash Exchange Notice if PubCo had paid the Stock Exchange Payment with respect to such number of Class A Common Units, for which PubCo has elected to make a Cash Exchange Payment and (y) the Appraiser FMV of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock that would be obtained in an arms-length transaction between an informed and willing buyer and an informed and willing seller, neither of whom is under any compulsion to buy or sell, respectively, and without regard to the particular circumstances of the buyer or seller.
“Certificate Delivery” means, in the case of any shares of Paired Voting Stock to be transferred and surrendered by an Exchanging Member in connection with an Exchange which are represented by a certificate or certificates, the process by which the Exchanging Member shall also present and surrender such certificate or certificates representing such shares of Paired Voting Stock during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of PubCo, or if any agent for the registration or transfer of shares of Paired Voting Stock is then duly appointed and acting, at the office of such transfer agent, along with any instruments of transfer reasonably required by the Managing Member or such transfer agent, as applicable, duly executed by the Exchanging Member or the Exchanging Member’s duly authorized representative.
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“Class A 3-Day VWAP” means, on any relevant measurement date, the VWAP for five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on such date.
“Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo.
“Class A Common Units” means the limited liability company interests described in Section 3.1(a)(i) and having the rights, powers and preferences specified herein.
“Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo.
“Class C Common Stock” means the Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo.
“Class B Voting Units” means the limited liability company interests described in Section 3.1(a)(ii) and having the rights, powers and preferences specified herein.
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common Units” shall mean the issued and outstanding Common Units, as defined in the Prior Agreement, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Company” means Rani Therapeutics, LLC, a California limited liability company.
“Company Minimum Gain” has the meaning ascribed to the term “partnership minimum gain” set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).
“Continuing Member” means each member receiving Class A Common Units in the Recapitalization for so long as such Member continues to hold such Class A Common Units after the Pre-IPO Exchanges.
“Continuing Member Representative” means ICL or any Affiliate of ICL designated in writing by ICL to PubCo, the Company and each of the Continuing Members after the Effective Time.
“Covered Transaction” means any Liquidity Event or any other sale, redemption or Transfer of Units.
“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
“Distribution” means each distribution made by the Company to a Member, whether in cash, property or securities of the Company and whether by liquidating distribution or otherwise; provided that none of the following shall be a Distribution: (a) any redemption or repurchase by the Company of any securities, or (b) any recapitalization or exchange of securities of the Company, or any subdivision (by Unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse Unit split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units.
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“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
“Effective Time” means such time as is immediately prior to the Pre-IPO Effective Time.
“Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock or preferred interests or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, including convertible debt securities, or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares or equity (or such other interests), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, equity appreciation rights, phantom equity rights, profit participation and all of the other ownership or profit interests of such Person (including partnership or member interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“Event of Withdrawal” means the death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company.
“Exchange” means (a) the redemption by the Company of vested Class A Common Units held by a Member (together with the surrender and cancellation of the same number of outstanding shares of Paired Voting Stock held by such Member) for either (i) a Stock Exchange Payment or (ii) a Cash Exchange Payment, or (b) the direct purchase by PubCo of vested Class A Common Units and Paired Voting Stock held by a Member in accordance with a PubCo Call Right, in each case in accordance with Section 12.6.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future law.
“Exchange Agreements” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Exchange Blackout Period” means (i) any “black out” or similar period under PubCo’s policies covering trading in PubCo’s securities to which the applicable Exchanging Member is subject (or will be subject at such time as it owns Class A Common Stock), which period restricts the ability of such Exchanging Member to immediately resell shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered to such Exchanging Member in connection with a Stock Exchange Payment and (ii) the period of time commencing on (x) the date of the declaration of a dividend by PubCo and ending on the first day following (y) the record date determined by the Board with respect to such dividend declared pursuant to clause (x), which period of time shall be no longer than 10 Business Days; provided that in no event shall an Exchange Blackout Period which respect to clause (ii) of the definition hereof occur more than four (4) times per calendar year.
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“Exchange Conditions” means any of the following conditions:
(i) in the event of a valid request for registration pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (a) PubCo shall have failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such Exchange, (b) PubCo shall have exercised its right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a Registration Statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Exchanging Member to have its Class A Common Stock registered at or immediately following the consummation of the Exchange, (c) any stop order relating to the Registration Statement pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock was to be registered by such Exchanging Member at or immediately following the Exchange shall have been issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, (d) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any Governmental Entity that restrains or prohibits the Exchange, or (e) PubCo shall have failed to comply in any material respect with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent related to the resale of the Class A Common Stock of an Exchanging Member, and such failure shall have adversely affected the ability of such Exchanging Member to consummate the resale of Class A Common Stock to be received upon such Exchange pursuant to an effective Registration Statement; (ii) PubCo shall have disclosed in good faith to such Exchanging Member any material non-public information concerning PubCo, the receipt of which results in such Exchanging Member being prohibited or restricted from selling Class A Common Stock at or immediately following the Exchange without disclosure of such information (and PubCo does not permit disclosure); (iii) there shall have occurred a material disruption in the securities markets generally or in the market or markets in which the Class A Common Stock is then traded; (iv) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any Governmental Entity that restrains or prohibits the Exchange; or (v) the Exchange Date would occur three (3) Business Days or less prior to, or during, an Exchange Blackout Period. For purposes of clarity, the matters contemplated in clauses (ii) through (v) above shall constitute an Exchange Condition regardless of the existence of a valid request for registration pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Exchange Date” means the date that is five (5) Business Days after the Exchange Notice Date is given; provided, that if an Exchanging Member delays the consummation of an Exchange by delivering an Exchange Delay Notice, the Exchange Date shall occur on the date that is three (3) Business Days following the date on which the conditions giving rise to such delay cease to exist which shall in no event be prior to the date otherwise determined pursuant to this definition (or such earlier day as the Managing Member and such Exchanging Member may agree in writing); provided, further, that if the Exchange Date for any Exchange with respect to which PubCo elects to make a Stock Exchange Payment would otherwise fall within any Exchange Blackout Period, then the Exchange Date shall occur on the next Business Day following the end of such Exchange Blackout Period.
“Exchange Delay Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(c).
“Exchange Notice” means a written election of Exchange in the form of Exhibit A, duly executed by the Exchanging Member.
“Exchange Notice Date” means, with respect to any Exchange Notice, the date such Exchange Notice is given to the Company in accordance with Section 12.1.
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“Exchanged Units” means, with respect to any Exchange, the Class A Common Units being exchanged pursuant to a relevant Exchange Notice, and an equal number of shares of Paired Voting Stock held by the relevant Exchanging Member; provided, that, such amount of Class A Common Units shall in no event be less than the Minimum Exchange Amount.
“Exchanging Member” means a Member initiating an Exchange.
“Exempt Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b).
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or equity interest, its fair market value determined according to Article XIV.
“Family Group” means a Member’s spouse, parents, siblings and descendants (whether by birth or adoption) and any trust (whether revocable or irrevocable) or other estate planning vehicle established solely for the benefit of such Member and/or such Member’s spouse and/or such Member’s descendants (by birth or adoption), parents, siblings or dependents, or any charitable trust the grantor of which is such Member and/or member of such Member’s Family Group.
“Fiscal Year” means the Company’s annual accounting period established pursuant to Section 7.2.
“Founder Ownership Percentage” means the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the total number of Class A Common Units owned by the Founder Members by (ii) the aggregate number of Class A Common Units outstanding at such time.
“Founder Members” means ICL, Mir Imran, Talat Imran, Sanah Imran, InCube Ventures II, L.P., Rani Investment Corp., Biologix Partners, LP, and VH Rani, LP, and their respective Permitted Transferees or any other transferee of such Founder Member pursuant to a transfer included in clauses (i) through (iv) of the definition of an Exempt Transfer.
“Fund Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(e).
“Fund Indemnitors” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(e).
“Governmental Entity” means the United States of America or any other nation, any state or other political subdivision thereof, or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government.
“ICL” means InCube Labs, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Imputed Underpayment Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(d).
“Income Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c)(i).
“Indemnified Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a).
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“Liquidity Event” means, whether occurring through one transaction or a series of related transactions, any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of the Company.
“Lock-up Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(a).
“Managing Member” means the person designated as such pursuant to Section 5.1, which shall be PubCo as of the effectiveness of PubCo’s admission as an Additional Member pursuant to Section 10.2, or any successor Managing Member admitted to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in its capacity as the managing member of the Company.
“Member” means each of the Persons from time to time admitted to the Company as a member of the Company and listed as a Member in the books and records of the Company, each in its capacity as a member of the Company.
“Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” means an amount with respect to each partner nonrecourse debt (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if such partner nonrecourse debt were treated as a nonrecourse liability (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2)) determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).
“Member Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning ascribed to the term “partner nonrecourse deductions” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
“Minimum Exchange Amount” means a number of Class A Common Units held by an Exchanging Member equal to (x) if such Exchanging Member holds more than 50,000 Class A Common Units as of the date hereof, the lesser of (1) 50,000 Class A Common Units and (2) ten percent (10%) of the Class A Common Units held by the applicable Exchanging Member as of the date hereof or (y) to the extent such Exchanging Member holds 50,000 Class A Common Units or less as of the date hereof, the lesser of (1) twenty-five percent (25%) of the Class A Common Units held by the applicable Exchanging Member as of the date hereof and (2) all of the Class A Common Units then held by the applicable Exchanging Member.
“National Securities Exchange” means a securities exchange registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 6 of the Exchange Act.
“Net Loss” means, with respect to a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of Losses for such Taxable Year over Profits for such Taxable Year (excluding Losses and Profits specially allocated pursuant to this Agreement).
“Net Profit” means, with respect to a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of Profits for such Taxable Year over Losses for such Taxable Year (excluding Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant to this Agreement).
“Non-Foreign Person Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.9(a).
“Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1). The amount of Nonrecourse Deductions of the Company for a Fiscal Year equals the net increase, if any, in the amount of Company Minimum Gain of the Company during that fiscal year, determined according to the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).
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“Paired Voting Stock” means, with respect to Class A Common Units held by a Member other than PubCo (and other than Class A Common Units received in the Recapitalization in exchange for Common Units received in the Profits Interest Conversion), the shares of Class B Common Stock issued in exchange for the Class B Voting Units initially paired with such Class A Common Units, subject, as applicable, to adjustment pursuant to Section 3.2(d) and Section 3.2(e) and the certificate of incorporation of PubCo.
“Participate” (and the correlative terms “Participating” and “Participation”) includes any direct or indirect ownership interest in any enterprise or participation in the management of such enterprise, whether as an officer, director, employee, partner, sole proprietor, agent, representative, independent contractor, consultant, executive, franchisor, franchisee, creditor, owner or otherwise.
“Participating Unit” means, with respect to any Distribution (or other allocation of proceeds) pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or Section 4.1(c) hereof, any Class A Common Unit.
“Partnership Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3.
“Permitted Transferee” means any transferee in an Exempt Transfer pursuant to clause (i) of the definition thereof.
“Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, association or other entity.
“Piggyback Registration” is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Profits Interests” shall mean all of the issued and outstanding Profits Interests, as defined in the Prior Agreement, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Prior Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Profits” or “Losses” means items of Company income and gain or loss and deduction for an applicable tax accounting period determined for purposes of maintaining the Capital Account of each Member under Section 3.3 and in accordance with Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
“PubCo” means Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, and its successors.
“PubCo Offer” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c)(ii).
“Recapitalization” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among PubCo, certain of the Members and the other parties thereto (together with any other parties that become a party thereto from time to time upon execution of a joinder in accordance with the terms thereof by any successor or assign to any party to such Registration Rights Agreement).
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“Registration Statement” means any registration statement that PubCo is required to file pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future law.
“Securities and Exchange Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.
“Similar Law” means any law or regulation that could cause the underlying assets of the Company to be treated as assets of the Member by virtue of its limited liability company interest in the Company and thereby subject the Company and the Managing Member (or other Persons responsible for the investment and operation of the Company’s assets) to laws or regulations that are similar to the fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions contained in Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
“Stock Exchange Payment” means, with respect to any Exchange for which a Cash Exchange Notice is not in effect, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Class A Common Units subject to such Exchange.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control any manager, managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of the Company shall be given effect only at such times that the Company has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Substituted Member” means a Person that is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to Section 10.1.
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“Tax Distributions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).
“Tax Estimation Period” means each period from January 1 through March 31, from April 1 through May 31, from June 1 through August 31, and from September 1 through December 31 of each Taxable Year.
“Tax Matters Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3.
“Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement dated as of or about the date hereof among the Company, the Managing Member and the other parties from time to time party thereto, as amended from time to time.
“Taxable Year” means the Company’s accounting period for federal income tax purposes determined pursuant to Section 8.2.
“Trading Day” means a day on which Nasdaq or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed, quoted or admitted to trading and is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).
“Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(a).
“Transferor’s Owner” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(c)(i).
“Treasury Regulations” means the income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended.
“Units” means, collectively, the Class A Common Units, the Class B Voting Units and such other units of the Company as may be authorized, designated or issued, as determined by the Managing Member from time to time after the date hereof.
“Unvested Class A Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b)(iv).
“Unvested Class A Common Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b)(ii).
“VWAP” means the daily per share volume-weighted average price of the Class A Common Stock on Nasdaq or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the shares of Class A Common Stock are listed, quoted or admitted to trading, as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on the Bloomberg page designated for the Class A Common Stock (or the equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the open of trading on such Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, (a) the per share volume-weighted average price of a share of Class A Common Stock on such Trading Day (determined without regard to afterhours trading or any other trading outside the regular trading session or trading hours), or (b) if such determination is not feasible, the market price per share of Class A Common Stock as determined by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained in good faith for this purpose by PubCo); provided, however, that if at any time for purposes of the Class A 3-Day VWAP shares of Class A Common Stock are not then listed, quoted or traded on a principal United States securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, then the VWAP shall mean the per share Appraiser FMV of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock (or such other Equity Security into which the Class A Common Stock was converted or exchanged).
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ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
2.1 Formation of Company. The Company was formed on February 21, 2012, in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
2.2 Limited Liability Company Agreement. The Members hereby execute this Agreement for the purpose of establishing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business in accordance with the provisions of the California Act. This Agreement amends and restates the Prior Agreement in its entirety and shall constitute the “operating agreement” (as that term is used in the California Act) of the Company effective as of the Effective Time. The Members hereby agree that during the term of the Company set forth in Section 2.7 the rights and obligations of the Members with respect to the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the California Act. On any matter upon which this Agreement is silent, the California Act shall control. No provision of this Agreement shall be in violation of the California Act and to the extent any provision of this Agreement is in violation of the California Act, such provision shall be void and of no effect to the extent of such violation without affecting the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that where the California Act provides that a provision of the California Act shall apply “unless otherwise provided in an operating agreement” or words of similar effect, the provisions of this Agreement shall in each instance control.
2.3 Name. The name of the Company shall be “Rani Therapeutics, LLC”. The Managing Member in its sole discretion may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time in accordance with the California Act. Notification of any such change shall be given to all of the Members. The Company’s business may be conducted under its name and/or any other name or names deemed advisable by the Managing Member.
2.4 Purpose. The purpose and business of the Company shall be any business which may lawfully be conducted by a limited liability company formed pursuant to the California Act.
2.5 Powers. The powers of the Company shall be all powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes for which it is organized, including the powers granted by the California Act.
2.6 Principal Office; Registered Office. The principal office of the Company shall be such place as the Managing Member may from time to time designate. The Company may maintain offices at such other place or places as the Managing Member deems advisable. Notification of any such change shall be given to all of the Members. The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of California shall be 330 N Brand Blvd, STE 700, Glendale, CA 91203, and the registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State of California at such registered office shall be C T Corporation System.
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2.7 Term. The term of the Company commenced upon the filing of the Articles in accordance with the California Act and shall continue in existence until dissolution thereof in accordance with the provisions of Article XIII. The existence of the Company as a separate legal entity shall continue until cancellation of the Articles as provided in the California Act.
2.8 No State-Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as set forth in Section 2.9, and neither this Agreement nor any other document entered into by the Company or any Member relating to the subject matter hereof shall be construed to suggest otherwise.
2.9 Tax Treatment. The Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal and applicable state or local income tax purposes, and that each Member and the Company shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with and actions necessary to obtain such treatment.
2.10 Prior Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, all prior limited liability company agreements amongst the Company and its members, including all amendments thereto, shall govern and control for all periods prior to the date hereof.
ARTICLE III
CAPITALIZATION; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
3.1 Capitalization.
(a) Each Member shall hold Units, and the relative rights, powers, privileges, preferences and obligations with respect to each Member’s Units shall be determined under this Agreement and the California Act based upon the number and the class of Units held by such Member. The number and the class of Units held by each Member shall be set forth in the books and records of the Company. The classes of Units as of the Effective Time are as follows: “Class A Common Units” and “Class B Voting Units.” The Members shall have no right to vote on any matter, except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, or as may be required under the California Act. Any such vote shall be at a meeting of the Members entitled to vote or in writing as provided herein.
(i) Class A Common Units. The Class A Common Units shall have all the rights, powers, privileges and obligations as are specifically provided for in this Agreement for Class A Common Units, and as may otherwise be generally applicable to all classes of Units, unless such application is specifically limited to one or more other classes of Units. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the holders of Class A Common Units shall not be entitled to vote on any matter subject to a vote of the Members, except as otherwise required by law and on any such matter the holders of Class A Common Units shall be entitled to one (1) vote per Class A Common Unit.
(ii) Class B Voting Units. The holders of Class B Voting Units shall be entitled to ten (10) votes per Class B Voting Unit with respect to any designation of the Managing Member pursuant to Section 5.1 or designation of an additional Managing Member or substitute Managing Member pursuant to Section 10.3, and shall not be entitled to any other rights, powers, privileges or obligations under this Agreement.
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(b) On the date hereof and in connection with the IPO, the following shall have occurred or will occur:
(i) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Profits Interest Conversion and the Preferred Unit Conversion were consummated.
(ii) At the Effective Time, the Recapitalization is hereby consummated. Pursuant to the Recapitalization, any Class A Common Units received in exchange for Common Units subject to vesting not accelerated in connection with the IPO shall continue to vest in accordance with the vesting schedule applicable to such Profits Interests (such Class A Common Units subject to vesting, the “Unvested Class A Common Units”).
(iii) Immediately after the Effective Time, the Pre-IPO Exchanges shall be consummated. Any shares of Class A Common Stock received in respect of Unvested Class A Common Units in a Pre-IPO Exchange shall continue to vest in accordance with the same vesting schedule as such Unvested Class A Common Units (the “Unvested Class A Common Stock”).
(iv) Each holder of Unvested Class A Common Stock shall be required to make a valid and timely election in respect of such Unvested Class A Common Stock and protective election in respect of such Unvested Class A Units, in each case, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code and to provide evidence of such election to PubCo and the Company.
(v) Upon any forfeiture of Unvested Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the PubCo 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, PubCo shall automatically forfeit the corresponding Unvested Class A Common Units.
(vi) The Members agree that immediately following the Effective Time, no fractional Class A Common Unit will remain outstanding and any fractional Class A Common Unit held by a Member shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
(c) Subject to the terms of this Agreement (including this Section 3.1 and Section 3.2), the Managing Member in its sole discretion may establish and issue, from time to time in accordance with such procedures as the Managing Member shall determine from time to time, additional Units, in one or more classes or series of Units, or other Company securities, at such price, and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing Units, classes and series of Units or other Company securities), as shall be determined by the Managing Member without the approval of any Member or any other Person who may acquire an interest in any of the Units, including (i) the right of such Units to share in Profits and Losses or items thereof; (ii) the right of such Units to share in Company distributions; (iii) the rights of such Units upon dissolution and winding up of the Company; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Company may or shall be required to redeem such Units (including sinking fund provisions); (v) whether
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such Units are issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which such Units will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the terms and conditions of the issuance of such Units (including, without limitation, the amount and form of consideration, if any, to be received by the Company in respect thereof, the Managing Member being expressly authorized, in its sole discretion, to cause the Company to issue such Units for less than fair market value); and (viii) the right, if any, of the holder of such Units to vote on Company matters, including matters relating to the relative designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of such Units. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Managing Member in its sole discretion, without the approval of any Member or any other Person, is authorized (i) to issue Units or other Company securities of any newly established class or any existing class to Members or other Persons who may acquire an interest in the Company; (ii) to amend this Agreement to reflect the creation of any such new class, the issuance of Units or other Company securities of such class, and the admission of any Person as a Member which has received Units or other Company securities; and (iii) to effect the combination, subdivision and/or reclassification of outstanding Units as may be necessary or appropriate to give economic effect to equity investments in the Company by the Managing Member that are not accompanied by the issuance by the Company to the Managing Member of additional Units and to update the books and records of the Company accordingly. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement to the contrary, any reference to “Units” shall include the Class A Common Units, Class B Voting Units, and Units of any other class or series that may be established in accordance with this Agreement. All Units of a particular class shall have identical rights in all respects as all other Units of such class, except in each case as otherwise specified in this Agreement.
(d) All Units issued hereunder shall be uncertificated unless otherwise determined by the Managing Member.
(e) To the extent information is required to be disclosed to any Member pursuant to this Agreement or the California Act, pursuant to Section 17704.10 of the California Act, each Member acknowledges and agrees that portions of this Agreement may be redacted by the Managing Member or information herein may otherwise be aggregated by the Managing Member to prevent disclosure of confidential information with respect to individual allocations of employee Equity Securities.
(f) Each Member who is issued Units by the Company pursuant to the authority of the Managing Member pursuant to Section 5.1 shall make the Capital Contributions to the Company determined by the Managing Member pursuant to the authority of the Managing Member pursuant to Section 5.1 in exchange for such Units.
(g) Each Member, to the extent having the right to consent thereto, by executing this Agreement, hereby confirms, ratifies and approves the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other agreements and transactions referred to herein.
3.2 General Provisions with Respect to Units.
(a) New PubCo Issuances.
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(i) Subject to Article XII and Section 3.2(a)(ii), if, at any time after the Effective Time, PubCo issues shares of its Class A Common Stock, shares of Class C Common Stock, or any other Equity Security of PubCo (other than shares of Class B Common Stock), (x) the Company shall concurrently issue to PubCo an equal number of Class A Common Units (if PubCo issues shares of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock), or an equal number of such other Equity Security of the Company corresponding to the Equity Securities issued by PubCo (if PubCo issues Equity Securities other than Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock), and with the same rights to distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo so issued and (y) PubCo shall concurrently contribute to the Company the net proceeds or other property received by PubCo, if any, for such share of Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, or other Equity Security.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 3.2(a)(i) or Section 3.2(a)(iii), this Section 3.2(a) shall not apply to (x) the issuance and distribution to holders of shares of PubCo Equity Securities of rights to purchase Equity Securities of PubCo under a “poison pill” or similar shareholder rights plan (and upon exchange of Class A Common Units for Class A Common Stock, such Class A Common Stock shall be issued together with a corresponding right under such plan) or (y) the issuance under PubCo’s employee benefit plans of any warrants, options, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance based award or other rights to acquire Equity Securities of PubCo or rights or property that may be converted into or settled in Equity Securities of PubCo, but shall in each of the foregoing cases apply to the issuance of Equity Securities of PubCo in connection with the exercise or settlement of such warrants, options, stock appreciation right, restricted stock units, performance based awards or the vesting of restricted stock (including as set forth in clause (iii) below, as applicable).
(iii) In the event any outstanding Equity Security of PubCo is exercised or otherwise converted and, as a result, any shares of Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo are issued, (x) the corresponding Equity Security outstanding at the Company, if any, shall be similarly exercised or otherwise converted, if applicable, (y) an equivalent number of Class A Common Units or equivalent Equity Securities of the Company shall be issued to PubCo as required by the first sentence of Section 3.2(a)(i), and (z) PubCo shall as soon as practicable following such exercise or conversion contribute to the Company the net proceeds received by PubCo from any such exercise or conversion.
(b) New Company Issuances. Except pursuant to Article XII, (x) the Company may not issue any additional Class A Common Units to PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless (i) substantially simultaneously therewith PubCo or such Subsidiary issues or transfers an equal number of newly-issued shares of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock (or relevant Equity Security of such Subsidiary) to another Person or Persons, and (ii) such issuance is in accordance with Section 3.2(a), and (y) the Company may not issue any other Equity Securities of the Company to PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless (i) substantially simultaneously therewith PubCo or
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such Subsidiary issues or transfers, to another Person, an equal number of newly-issued shares of Equity Securities of PubCo or such Subsidiary with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of the Company, and (ii) such issuance is in accordance with Section 3.2(a).
(c) Repurchases and Redemptions.
(i) Subject to Section 3.2(c)(ii), PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (A) shares of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock pursuant to a Board approved repurchase plan or program (or otherwise in connection with a transaction approved by the Board) and, substantially simultaneously therewith, the Company shall redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire from PubCo or such Subsidiary an equal number of Class A Common Units for the same price per security, if any, or (B) any other Equity Securities of PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) pursuant to a Board approved repurchase plan or program (or otherwise in connection with a transaction approved by the Board) and, substantially simultaneously therewith, the Company shall redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire from PubCo or such Subsidiary an equal number of the corresponding class or series of Equity Securities of the Company with the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo or such Subsidiary for the same price per security, if any.
(ii) In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, or take-over bid or similar transaction with respect to Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, if any (a “PubCo Offer”), is proposed by PubCo or is proposed to PubCo or its stockholders, the holders of Class A Common Units shall be permitted to participate in such PubCo Offer by delivery of an Exchange Notice (which Exchange Notice shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of such PubCo Offer (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be contingent upon such PubCo Offer and not be effective if such PubCo Offer is not consummated)). In the case of a PubCo Offer proposed by PubCo, PubCo shall use its reasonable best efforts to take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the holders of Class A Common Units to participate in such PubCo Offer to the same extent or on an economically equivalent basis as the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock without discrimination; provided that, without limiting the generality of this sentence (and without limiting the ability of any Member holding Class A Common Units to consummate an Exchange at any time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement), the Managing Member shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that such holders of Class A Common Units may participate in such PubCo Offer without being required to Exchange their Class A Common Units and cancel their shares of Paired Voting Stock, as the case may be, (or, if so required, to ensure that any such Exchange and cancelation shall be effective only upon, and shall be conditional upon, the closing of the transactions contemplated by the PubCo Offer). For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the holders of Class A Common Units be entitled to receive in such PubCo Offer aggregate consideration for each Class A Common Unit and share of Paired Voting Stock, taken together, that is greater than or less than the consideration payable in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock in connection with such PubCo Offer (it being understood that payments under or in respect of the Tax Receivable Agreement shall not be considered part of any such consideration).
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(iii) The Company may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (x) any Class A Common Units from PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless substantially simultaneously PubCo or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires pursuant to a Board approved repurchase plan or program (or otherwise in connection with a transaction approved by the Board) an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock for the same price per security from holders thereof or (y) any other Equity Securities of the Company from PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless substantially simultaneously PubCo or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires pursuant to a Board approved repurchase plan or program (or otherwise in connection with a transaction approved by the Board) for the same price per security an equal number of Equity Securities of PubCo (or such Subsidiary) of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo or such Subsidiary.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), to the extent that any consideration payable by PubCo in connection with the redemption, repurchase or acquisition of any shares of Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) consists (in whole or in part) of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or such other Equity Securities (including in connection with the cashless exercise of an option or warrant (or other convertible right or security)) other than under PubCo’s employee benefit plans for which there is no corresponding Class A Common Units or other Equity Securities of the Company, then the redemption, repurchase or acquisition of the corresponding Class A Common Units or other Equity Securities of the Company shall be effectuated in an equivalent manner.
(d) Equity Subdivisions and Combinations.
(i) The Company shall not in any manner effect any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the outstanding Class A Common Units unless accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the outstanding PubCo Class A Common Stock and Paired Voting Stock, Class C Common Stock or other related class or series of Equity Security of PubCo, with corresponding changes made with respect to any other exchangeable or convertible Equity Securities of the Company and PubCo.
(ii) Except in accordance with Section 12.3, PubCo shall not in any manner effect any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the outstanding PubCo Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or any other class or series of Equity Security of PubCo, unless
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accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the outstanding Class A Common Units or other related class or series of Equity Security of the Company, with corresponding changes made with respect to any applicable exchangeable or convertible Equity Securities of the Company and PubCo.
(e) General Authority. For the avoidance of doubt, but subject to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, the Company and PubCo (including in its capacity as the Managing Member of the Company) shall be permitted to undertake all actions, including an issuance, redemption, reclassification, distribution, division or recapitalization, with respect to the Class A Common Units, that are necessary, in the Managing Member’s determination, to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between (i) the number of Class A Common Units owned by PubCo, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, and (ii) the number of outstanding shares of applicable Paired Voting Stock held by any Person and the number of Class A Common Units held by such Person disregarding, for purposes of maintaining the one-to-one ratios in clauses (i) and (ii), (A) options, rights or securities of PubCo issued under any plan involving the issuance of any Equity Securities that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock, (B) treasury stock, or (C) preferred stock or other debt or equity securities (including warrants, options or rights) issued by PubCo, including Class C common stock, that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock (but in each case prior to such conversion or exchange).
3.3 Capital Accounts.
(a) A separate capital account (each, a “Capital Account”) shall be established for each Member and shall be maintained in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and this Section 3.3 shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such regulations. In accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), the Company may adjust the Capital Accounts of its Members to reflect revaluations (including any unrealized income, gain or loss) of the Company’s property (including intangible assets such as goodwill), whenever it issues additional interests in the Company (including any interests issued with a zero initial Capital Account), or whenever the adjustments would otherwise be permitted under such Treasury Regulations. The Company may adjust the Capital Accounts of its Members to reflect revaluations of the property of any Subsidiary of the Company that is treated as a partnership (or entity disregarded from a partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the event that the Capital Accounts of the Members are so adjusted, (i) the Capital Accounts of the Members shall be adjusted in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) for allocations of depreciation, depletion, amortization and gain or loss, as computed for book purposes, with respect to such property and (ii) the Members’ distributive shares of depreciation, depletion, amortization and gain or loss, as computed for tax purposes, with respect to such property shall be determined so as to take account of the variation between the adjusted tax basis and Book Value of such property in the same manner as under Section 704(c) of the Code. In the event that Code Section 704(c) applies to property of the Company, the Capital Accounts of the Members shall be adjusted in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) for allocations of depreciation, depletion, amortization, and gain and loss, as computed for book purposes with respect to such property. In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Capital Accounts of the Members shall be adjusted in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and determined as of the date hereof and the Capital Account of each Member shall be reflected in the books and records of the Company.
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3.4 Negative Capital Accounts. No Member shall be required to pay to any other Member or the Company any deficit or negative balance which may exist from time to time in such Member’s Capital Account (including upon and after dissolution of the Company).
3.5 No Withdrawal. No Person shall be entitled to withdraw any part of such Person’s Capital Contribution or Capital Account or to receive any Distribution from the Company, except as expressly provided herein.
3.6 Loans From Members. Loans by Members to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions. If any Member shall advance funds to the Company in excess of the amounts required hereunder to be contributed by such Member to the capital of the Company, the making of such advances shall not result in any increase in the amount of the Capital Account of such Member. The amount of any such advances shall be a debt of the Company to such Member and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such advances are made.
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
4.1 Distributions.
(a) Distributions Generally. The Managing Member may, subject to (i) any restrictions contained in the financing agreements to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, (ii) having available cash (after setting aside appropriate reserves), and (iii) any other restrictions set forth in this Agreement, make Distributions at any time and from time to time. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Distribution, Tax Distribution or other payment in respect of Units shall be required to be made to any Member if, and to the extent that, such Distribution, Tax Distribution or other payment in respect of Units would not be permitted under the California Act or other applicable law.
(b) Operating and Liquidating Distributions. Subject to Section 4.1(c) with respect to Tax Distributions, all Distributions by the Company shall be made or allocated to holders of Participating Units pro rata based on the number of Participating Units held by each such holder.
(c) Tax Distributions.
(i) With respect to each Member, the Company shall calculate the excess of (x)(A) the Income Amount allocated or allocable to such Member for the Tax Estimation Period in question and for all preceding Tax Estimation Periods, if any, within the Taxable Year containing such Tax Estimation Period multiplied by (B) the Assumed Tax Rate over (y) the aggregate amount of all prior Tax Distributions in respect of such Taxable Year and any Distributions made to such Member pursuant to Section 4.1(b) with
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respect to the Tax Estimation Period in question and any previous Tax Estimation Period falling in the Taxable Year containing the applicable Tax Estimation Period referred to in (x)(A) (the amount so calculated pursuant to this sentence is herein referred to as a “Tax Distribution”); provided, however, that the Managing Member may make adjustments in its reasonable discretion to reflect transactions occurring during the Taxable Year. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Income Amount” for a Tax Estimation Period shall equal, with respect to any Member, the net taxable income of the Company allocated or allocable to such Member for such Tax Estimation Period (excluding any compensation paid to a Member outside of this Agreement). For purposes of computing the Income Amount, taxable income shall be determined (i) without regard to any adjustments under Sections 732(d), 734(b) and 743(b) of the Code, (ii) by including adjustments to taxable income in respect of Section 704(c) of the Code, and (iii) by reducing such taxable income by taxable losses of the Company allocated to such Member for taxable periods (or portions thereof) beginning after the date hereof to the extent that such losses are of a character (ordinary or capital) that would permit the losses to be deducted by such Member against the current taxable income of the Company allocable to the Member for such Tax Estimation Period, are otherwise available to be utilized, and have not previously been taken into account in determining such Member’s Income Amount.
(ii) At least ten (10) Business Days before the individual or corporate quarterly estimate payment deadline for U.S. federal income taxes for calendar year filers (whichever is earlier), the Company shall distribute (to the extent available) to the Members pro rata based upon the number of Class A Common Units (including Unvested Class A Common Units) held by each such Member, an aggregate amount of cash sufficient to provide each such Member with a distribution at least equal to such Tax Distribution.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Tax Distributions will be required to be made with respect to items arising with respect to any Covered Transaction, although any unpaid Tax Distributions with respect to any Tax Estimation Period, or portion thereof, ending before a Covered Transaction shall continue to be required to be paid prior to any Distributions being made under Section 4.1(b).
(d) Each Distribution pursuant to Section 4.1(b) and each Distribution pursuant to Section 4.1(c) shall be made to the Persons shown on the Company’s books and records as Members as of the date of such Distribution; provided, however, that any transferor and transferee of Units may mutually agree as to which of them should receive payment of any Distribution under Section 4.1(c); provided, further, that the Managing Member may in its reasonable discretion make a Tax Distribution under Section 4.1(c) to a former Member in respect of a Taxable Year (or the portion thereof) in which such former Member was a Member.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.1, no distributions shall be made pursuant to Section 4.1 on account of a Participating Unit that has not vested in accordance with the vesting schedule applicable to such Unvested Class A Common Units (or any other Units subject to vesting) (other than to the extent such distributions are in respect of a Tax Distribution); provided that any distributions in respect of Unvested Class A Common Units (or any other Units subject to vesting) shall be payable at the same time as such Unvested Class A Common Units (or any other Units subject to vesting) become vested Class A Common Units, and if such Unvested Class A Common Units (or any other Units subject to vesting) are forfeited, the former holder of such Class A Common Units shall have no right to receive such distributions.
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(f) For purposes of this Section 4.1, any non-cash Company assets distributed in kind to any Members shall be valued at their Fair Market Value in accordance with Article XIV.
4.2 Allocations of Net Profit and Net Loss. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, including Section 4.3, Net Profits and Net Losses (and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit of the Company) shall be allocated among the Capital Accounts of the Members in a manner such that, after such allocations have been made, the balance of each Member’s Capital Account is, as nearly as possible, equal to (a) the amount that would be distributed to such Member if the Company were to sell all of its assets for the Book Value thereof, satisfy all of its liabilities in cash in accordance with their terms (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Book Value of the assets securing such liability), and distribute all remaining or resulting cash pursuant to Section 13.2 (assuming all Units are fully vested for this purpose), minus (b) the Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets, and (without duplication) the amount any such Member is treated as obligated to contribute to the Company, computed immediately after the hypothetical sale of assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member in its sole discretion shall make allocations for tax purposes as may be needed to ensure that allocations are in accordance with the interests of the Members within the meaning of the Code and Treasury Regulations.
4.3 Special Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Article IV:
(a) Minimum Gain Chargeback. If there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain or Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(d) and 1.704-2(i)) during any Company taxable year, the Members shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to their respective shares of such net decrease during such year, determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5). The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f). This Section 4.3(a) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in such Treasury Regulations Sections and shall be interpreted consistently therewith; including that no chargeback shall be required to the extent of the exceptions provided in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f) and 1.704-2(i)(4).
(b) Qualified Income Offset. If any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or Distributions described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of Company income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the deficit balance in such Member’s Adjusted Capital Account Balance created by such adjustments, allocations or Distributions as promptly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) shall be made only to the extent that a Member would have a deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Article IV have been tentatively made as if this Section 4.3(b) were not in this Agreement. This Section 4.3(b) is intended to comply with the “qualified income offset” requirement of the Code and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
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(c) Gross Income Allocation. If any Member has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any taxable year which is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Member is obligated to restore, if any, pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, and (ii) the amount such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 4.3(c) shall be made only if and to the extent that a Member would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Article IV have been tentatively made as if Section 4.3(b) and this Section 4.3(c) were not in this Agreement.
(d) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated to the Members holding Class A Common Units pro rata based on the number of Participating Units held by each Member.
(e) Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the liability to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(j).
(f) Ameliorative Allocations. Any special allocations of income or gain pursuant to Sections 4.3(a) or 4.3(c) hereof shall be taken into account in computing subsequent allocations pursuant to Section 4.2 and this Section 4.3(f), so that the net amount of any items so allocated and all other items allocated to each Member shall, to the extent possible, be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each Member if such allocations pursuant to Sections 4.3(a) or 4.3(c) had not occurred.
(g) Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Sections 734(b) or 743(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to any Member in complete or partial liquidation of such Member’s Units in the Company, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such item of gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) if such Section applies or to the Member to whom such distribution was made if Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.
(h) Forfeiture Allocation. In the event that Unvested Class A Common Units (or any other Units subject to vesting) of any Member are forfeited, then for the fiscal year of such forfeiture or other period (as determined by the Managing Member):
(i) items of income, gain, loss, and deduction shall be excluded from the calculation of Profits and Losses and shall be specially allocated to the Member whose Units have been forfeited so as to cause such Member’s Capital Account to equal such Member’s distribution entitlements under Section 4.1 after giving effect to the adjustment in the Member’s ownership of Units resulting from the applicable forfeiture;
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(ii) the Managing Member may elect to apply another allocation or Capital Account adjustment method to Units forfeiture as they deem appropriate in lieu of the method set forth in this Section 4.3(h).
4.4 Tax Allocations.
(a) Except as provided in Sections 4.4(b), (c) and (d), Net Profits and Net Losses (and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gains, losses, deductions and credits) of the Company will be allocated, for federal, state and local income tax purposes, among the holders of Units in accordance with the allocation of such income, gains, losses, deductions and credits among the holders of Units for book purposes.
(b) Items of Company taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall be allocated among the holders of Units in accordance with Code Section 704(c) so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company and its Book Value using such method or methods determined by the Managing Member to be appropriate and in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall elect to use the “traditional method with curative allocations” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(c) in respect of section 197 intangibles (as defined in Section 197(d) of the Code) that are subject to reverse Section 704(c) allocations as a result of a contribution of cash by PubCo at the time of the IPO, and in respect of revaluations of such property following the Initial Public Offering, with such curative allocations limited to gain from the sale of such section 197 intangibles as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(c)(3)(iii)(B).
(c) If the Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to Section 3.3, subsequent allocations of items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c).
(d) Allocations of tax credits, tax credit recapture, and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the holders of Units according to their interests in such items as determined by the Managing Member taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii).
(e) Allocations pursuant to this Section 4.4 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any holder’s Capital Account or share of book income, gain, loss or deduction, Distributions or other Company items pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
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4.5 Other Allocation Rules.
(a) The provisions regarding the establishment and maintenance for each Member of a Capital Account as provided by Section 3.3 and the allocations set forth in Sections 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 are intended to comply with the Treasury Regulations and to reflect the intended economic entitlement of the Members. If the Managing Member reasonably determines that the application of the provisions in Section 3.3, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 would result in non-compliance with the Treasury Regulations or would be inconsistent with the intended economic entitlement of the Members, the Managing Member is authorized to make any appropriate adjustments to such provisions to the extent permitted by applicable Law, including to allocate properly items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to those Members who bear the economic burden or benefit associated therewith, or to otherwise cause the Members to achieve the economic objectives underlying this Agreement. The Managing Member also shall (i) make any adjustments that it reasonably determines are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of Company capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(iv)(g) and (ii) make any reasonable and appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events would reasonably be expected to otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b). No adjustment to the allocations shall be made under this Section 4.5(a) that would have a material adverse effect on the Continuing Members without the prior written consent of the Continuing Member Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(b) With regard to PubCo’s acquisition of the Class A Common Units in conjunction with the IPO, Profits or Losses shall be allocated to the Members of the Company so as to take into account the varying interests of the Members in the Company using an “interim closing of the books” method in a manner that complies with the provisions of Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. If during any Taxable Year there is any other change in any Member’s Units in the Company, the Managing Member shall allocate the Profits or Losses to the Members of the Company so as to take into account the varying interests of the Members in the Company using any method that complies with the provisions of Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
(c) Solely for purposes of determining a Member’s proportionate share of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Company, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Managing Member shall allocate such liabilities in such manner that complies with the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and that the Managing Member reasonably determines is reasonable expected to minimize any gain of the Members to the greatest extent possible under Section 731 of the Code.
4.6 Withholding Taxes.
(a) The Company shall withhold taxes from Distributions to, and allocations among, the Members to the extent required by law. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.6, any amount so withheld by the Company with regard to a Member shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as an amount actually distributed to such Member pursuant to Section 4.1(b) (a “Withholding Payment”). An amount shall be considered withheld by the Company if, and at the time, remitted to a Governmental Entity without regard to whether such remittance occurs at the same time as the Distribution or allocation to which it relates; provided, however, that an amount actually withheld from a specific Distribution or designated by the Managing Member as withheld from a specific allocation shall be treated as if distributed at the time such Distribution or allocation occurs.
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(b) Each Member hereby agrees to indemnify the Company and the other Members for any liability they may incur for failure to properly withhold taxes in respect of such Member. Moreover, each Member hereby agrees that neither the Company nor any other Member shall be liable to such Member for any excess taxes withheld in respect of such Member’s interest in the Company and that, in the event of overwithholding, a Member’s sole recourse shall be to apply for a refund from the appropriate governmental authority.
(c) If it is anticipated that at the due date of the Company’s withholding obligation the Member’s share of cash Distributions or other amounts due is less than the amount of the Withholding Payment, the Member with respect to which the withholding obligation applies shall pay to the Company the amount of such shortfall within thirty (30) days after notice by the Company. If a Member fails to make the required payment when due hereunder, and the Company nevertheless pays the withholding, in addition to the Company’s remedies for breach of this Agreement, the amount paid shall be deemed a recourse loan from the Company to such Member bearing interest at an interest rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus 3.0%, and the Company shall apply all Distributions or payments that would otherwise be made to such Member toward payment of the loan and interest, which payments or Distributions shall be applied first to interest and then to principal until the loan is repaid in full. In the event that the Distributions or proceeds to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company are reduced on account of taxes withheld at the source or any taxes are otherwise required to be paid by the Company and such taxes are imposed on or with respect to one or more, but not all of the Members in the Company, or all of the Members in the Company at different tax rates, the amount of the reduction shall be borne by the relevant Members and treated as if it were paid by the Company as a Withholding Payment with respect to such Members pursuant to Section 4.6(a). Taxes imposed on the Company where the rate of tax varies depending on characteristics of the Members shall be treated as taxes imposed on or with respect to the Members for purposes of Section 4.6(a). In addition, if the Company is obligated to pay any taxes (including penalties, interest and any addition to tax) to any Governmental Entity that is specifically attributable to a Member or a former Member, including, without limitation, on account of Sections 864 or 1446 of the Code, then (x) such Member or former Member shall indemnify the Company in full for the entire amount paid or payable, (y) the Managing Member may offset future Distributions from such Member or former Member pursuant to Section 4.1 to which such Person is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Member or former Member’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 4.6(c) and (z) such amounts shall be treated as a Withholding Payment pursuant to Section 4.6(a) with respect to such Member or former Member.
(d) If the Company incurs an Imputed Underpayment Amount, the Partnership Representative shall determine in its discretion the portion of such Imputed Underpayment Amount attributable to each Member or former Member and such attributable amount shall be treated as a Withholding Payment pursuant to Section 4.6(a). The portion of any Imputed Underpayment Amount attributed to a former Member shall be treated as a Withholding Payment pursuant to Section 4.6(a) with respect to such former Member. The Partnership Representative shall use commercially reasonable efforts to secure any reduction in any Imputed Underpayment
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Amount that is available by reason of the status of any Member (or its beneficial owners), including by means of any procedures provided pursuant to Code Section 6225(c)(3), and to allocate the benefit of any such reduction to such Member. Each Member agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, Managing Member and the Partnership Representative from and against any and all liability with respect to any Imputed Underpayment Amounts required on behalf of, or with respect to, such Member or any former Member whose former interest in the Company is held by such Member. For purposes hereof, “Imputed Underpayment Amount” shall mean any “imputed underpayment” within the meaning of Section 6225 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign law) paid (or payable) by the Company as a result of an adjustment with respect to any Company item, including any interest or penalties with respect to any such adjustment. Imputed Underpayment Amounts shall also include any imputed underpayment amounts within the meaning of Code Section 6225 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign law) which are paid (or payable) by any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which the Company holds (or has held) a direct or indirect interest (other than through entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) to the extent that the Company bears the economic burden of such amounts, whether by law or agreement.
(e) A Member’s obligations under this Section 4.6 shall survive the dissolution and winding up of the Company and any transfer, assignment or liquidation of such Member’s interest in the Company.
4.7 Allocations Upon Final Liquidation. With respect to the fiscal year in which the final liquidation of the Company occurs in accordance with Section 13.2 of the Agreement, and notwithstanding any other provision of Sections 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4 hereof, items of Company income, gain, loss and deduction shall be specially allocated to the Members in such amounts and priorities as are necessary so that the positive Capital Accounts of the Members shall, as closely as possible, equal the amounts that will be distributed to the Members pursuant to Section 13.2.
ARTICLE V
MANAGEMENT
5.1 Designation and Authority of Managing Member. The Managing Member shall be designated by the holders of Class B Voting Units. Except for situations in which the approval of one or more of the Members is specifically required by the express terms of this Agreement, and subject to the provisions of this Article V, (i) all management powers over the business and affairs of the Company shall be exclusively vested in the Managing Member, (ii) the Managing Member shall conduct, direct and exercise full control over all activities of the Company, and (iii) the Managing Member shall have the sole power to bind or take any action on behalf of the Company, or to exercise any rights and powers (including, without limitation, the rights and powers to take certain actions, give or withhold certain consents or approvals, or make certain determinations, opinions, judgments or other decisions) granted to the Company under this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or other document to which the Company is a party. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to any situations in which the approval of the Members is
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specifically required by this Agreement, (x) the Managing Member shall have discretion in determining whether to issue Equity Securities, the number of Equity Securities to be issued at any particular time, the purchase price for any Equity Securities issued, and all other terms and conditions governing the issuance of Equity Securities and (y) the Managing Member may enter into, approve, and consummate any Liquidity Event or other extraordinary or business combination or divestiture transaction, and execute and deliver on behalf of the Company or the Members any agreement, document and instrument in connection therewith (including amendments, if any, to this Agreement or adoptions of new constituent documents) without the approval or consent of any Member. The Managing Member shall operate the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance in all material respects with an annual budget, business plan and financial forecasts for the Company and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal year. The Managing Member shall be the “manager” of the Company for the purposes of the California Act. The Managing Member is hereby authorized to execute, deliver and file the articles of organization of the Company and all other certificates (and any amendments and/or restatements hereof) required or permitted by the California Act to be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of California. The Managing Member and Members hereby approve and ratify the filing of the following document with the Secretary of State of the State of California: Amendment to the Articles of Organization of the Company by an authorized person, as may be designated by the Managing Member from time to time. The Managing Member is hereby authorized to execute, deliver and file any other certificates (and any amendments and/or restatements thereof) necessary for the Company to qualify to do business in a jurisdiction in which the Company may wish to conduct business. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, without the consent of any Member or other Person being required, the Company is hereby authorized to execute, deliver and perform, and the Managing Member or any officer on behalf of the Company, is hereby authorized to execute and deliver (a) the Exchange Agreements, (b) the Tax Receivable Agreement; (c) any other document, certificate or contract relating to or contemplated by the Recapitalization; and (d) any amendment and any agreement, document or other instrument contemplated thereby or related thereto. The Managing Member or any officer is hereby authorized to enter into the documents described in the preceding sentence on behalf of the Company, but such authorization shall not be deemed a restriction on the power of the Managing Member or any officer to enter into other documents on behalf of the Company.
5.2 Actions of the Managing Member. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, any decision, action, approval or consent required or permitted to be taken by the Managing Member may be taken by the Managing Member through any Person or Persons to whom authority and duties have been delegated pursuant to Section 5.4(a). The Managing Member shall not cease to be a Managing Member of the Company as a result of the delegation of any duties hereunder. No officer or agent of the Company, in its capacity as such, shall be considered a Managing Member of the Company by agreement, as a result of the performance of its duties hereunder or otherwise.
5.3 Compensation; Expenses.
(a) The Managing Member shall not be entitled to any compensation for services rendered to the Company in its capacity as Managing Member.
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(b) The Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, all costs, fees, operating expenses and other expenses of the Company (including the costs, fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other professionals) incurred in pursuing and conducting, or otherwise related to, the activities of the Company. The Company shall also, in the sole discretion of the Managing Member, bear and/or reimburse PubCo or the Managing Member for (i) any costs, fees or expenses incurred by the Managing Member in connection with serving as the Managing Member, (ii) operating, administrative and other similar costs incurred by the Managing Member, to the extent the proceeds are used or will be used by the Managing Member to pay expenses described in this clause (ii), and payments pursuant to any legal, tax, accounting and other professional fees and expenses (but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any tax liabilities of the Managing Member), (iii) any judgments, settlements, penalties, fines or other costs and expenses in respect of any claims against, or any litigation or proceedings involving, the Managing Member, (iv) fees and expenses (other than any underwriters’ discounts and commissions that are economically recovered by the Managing Member as a result of acquiring Company Units at a discount) related to any securities offering, investment or acquisition transaction (whether or not successful) authorized by PubCo, as the managing member of the Managing Member, (v) other fees and expenses in connection with the maintenance of the existence of the Managing Member, and (vi) all other expenses allocable to the Company or otherwise incurred by PubCo or the Managing Member in connection with operating the Company’s business (including expenses allocated to PubCo or the Managing Member by their Affiliates and expenses incurred by PubCo in its capacity as the Managing Member). To the extent that the Managing Member determines in its sole discretion that such expenses are related to the business and affairs of PubCo or the Managing Member that are conducted through the Company and/or its Subsidiaries (including expenses that relate to the business and affairs of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries and that also relate to other activities of PubCo or the Managing Member), the Managing Member may cause the Company to pay or bear all expenses of PubCo or the Managing Member, including, without limitation, compensation and meeting costs of any board of directors or similar body of PubCo or the Managing Member, any salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person including Affiliates of PubCo or the Managing Member to perform services for the Company, litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, accounting and legal costs and franchise taxes, except to the extent such franchise taxes are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits; provided that the Company shall not pay or bear any income tax obligations of PubCo or the Managing Member or any obligations of PubCo or the Managing Member under the Tax Receivable Agreement. To the extent practicable, expenses incurred by PubCo or the Managing Member on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company shall be billed directly to and paid by the Company and, if and to the extent any reimbursements to PubCo or the Managing Member or any of their Affiliates by the Company pursuant to this Section 5.3(b) constitute gross income to such Person (as opposed to the repayment of advances made by such Person on behalf of the Company), such amounts shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Section 707(c) of the Code and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Members’ Capital Account. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 5.3(b) shall be in addition to any reimbursement to PubCo or the Managing Member as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 6.4.
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5.4 Delegation of Authority.
(a) The Managing Member may, from time to time, delegate to one or more Persons, including any officer or director of the Company or PubCo (or to PubCo’s Compensation Committee or its designees), or to any other Person, such authority and duties as the Managing Member may deem advisable; provided that any such Person shall exercise such authority subject to the same duties and obligations to which the Managing Member would have otherwise been subject pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(b) The Managing Member may assign titles (including, without limitation, executive chairman, non-executive chairman, chief executive officer, president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer or assistant treasurer) and delegate certain authority and duties to such Persons. Any number of titles may be held by the same officer of the Company or other individual. The salaries or other compensation, if any, of the officers and agents of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Managing Member. Any delegation pursuant to this Section 5.4 may be revoked at any time by the Managing Member.
5.5 Limitation of Liability.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, in an agreement entered into by such Person and the Company or by applicable law, none of (i) the Managing Member, (ii) any manager, officer, director, principal, member, employee, agent or Affiliate of the Managing Member or (iii) affiliated entities of the Managing Member’s principal executives or directors shall be liable to the Company or to any Member for any act or omission performed or omitted by the Managing Member in its capacity as the Managing Member pursuant to authority granted to such Person by this Agreement; provided that, except as otherwise provided herein, such limitation of liability shall not apply to the extent the act or omission was attributable to such Person’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or knowing violation of law, for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by such Person or its Affiliates contained herein with respect to any rights of the Company under any other agreements between the Managing Member and the Company. The Managing Member may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and none of the Managing Member or any manager, officer, director, principal, member, employee, agent or Affiliate of the Managing Member shall be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the Managing Member (so long as such agent was selected in good faith and with reasonable care). The Managing Member shall be entitled to rely upon the advice of legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts, including financial advisors, and any act of or failure to act by the Managing Member in good faith reliance on such advice shall in no event subject the Managing Member to liability to the Company or any Member.
(b) Except as provided in this Agreement or in the California Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company and no Managing Member shall be obligated personally for any such debts, obligations or liabilities solely by reason of acting as the Managing Member of the Company. The Managing Member shall not be personally liable for the Company’s obligations, liabilities and Losses. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the failure of the Company to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business and affairs under this Agreement or the California Act shall not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Managing Member for liabilities of the Company.
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ARTICLE VI
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
6.1 Limitation of Liability.
(a) Except as provided in this Agreement or in the California Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company and no Member shall be obligated personally for any such debts, obligations or liabilities solely by reason of being a member of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the California Act, a Member’s liability (in its capacity as such) for Company obligations, liabilities and Losses shall be limited to the Company’s assets; provided that a Member shall be required to return to the Company any Distribution made to it after the execution of this Agreement in clear and manifest accounting or similar error. The immediately preceding sentence shall constitute a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of the California Act.
(b) This Agreement is not intended to, and does not, create or impose any duty (including any fiduciary duty) on any of the Members (including without limitation, the Managing Member) hereto or on their respective Affiliates. Further, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, the parties hereto agree that no Member or Managing Member shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have duties (including fiduciary duties) to any other Member or to the Company, and in doing so, recognize, acknowledge and agree that their duties and obligations to one another and to the Company are only as expressly set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that each Member and the Managing Member shall have the duty to act in accordance with the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, any Member (including without limitation, the Managing Member) has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company, to another Member or to another Person who is a party to or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, the Members (including without limitation, the Managing Member) acting under this Agreement will not be liable to the Company, to any such other Member or to any such other Person who is a party to or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, for their good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties and liabilities relating thereto of any Member (including without limitation, the Managing Member) otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace to that extent such other duties and liabilities of the Members relating thereto (including without limitation, the Managing Member).
6.2 Lack of Authority. No Member (other than the Managing Member) in its capacity as such (other than in its capacity as a Person delegated authority pursuant to Section 5.4) has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditures on behalf of the Company. The Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Managing Member of the powers conferred on it by law and this Agreement.
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6.3 No Right of Partition. No Member shall have the right to seek or obtain partition by court decree or operation of law of any Company property, or the right to own or use particular or individual assets of the Company.
6.4 Indemnification.
(a) Subject to Section 4.6, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Person (each an “Indemnified Person”) to the fullest extent permitted under the California Act (after waiving all California Act restrictions on indemnification other than those which cannot be eliminated), as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, substituted or replaced (but, in the case of any such amendment, substitution or replacement only to the extent that such amendment, substitution or replacement permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than the Company is providing immediately prior to such amendment, substitution or replacement), against all expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties, as reasonably required) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Person (or one or more of such Person’s Affiliates) by reason of the fact that such Person is or was a Member (or Affiliate of a Member) or is or was serving as the Managing Member, any additional or substitute Managing Member, a Manager or a committee member pursuant to the Prior Agreement, officer, employee or other agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, officer, director, principal, member, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise (including any manager, officer, director, principal, member, employee or agent of the Managing Member or any additional or substitute Managing Member); provided that (unless the Managing Member otherwise consents) no Indemnified Person shall be indemnified for any expenses, liabilities and losses suffered that are attributable to such Indemnified Person’s or its Affiliates’ gross negligence, willful misconduct or knowing violation of law. Expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by any such Indemnified Person in defending a proceeding related to any such indemnifiable matter shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding, including any appeal therefrom, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.
(b) The right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 6.4 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, agreement, by-law, determination of the Managing Member or otherwise.
(c) The Company will maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, at its expense, for the benefit of the Managing Member, the officers of the Company and any other Persons to whom the Managing Member has delegated its authority pursuant to Section 5.4.
(d) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary (including in this Section 6.4), any indemnity by the Company relating to the matters covered in this Section 6.4 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only and no Member (unless such
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Member otherwise agrees in writing or is found in a final decision by a court of competent jurisdiction to have personal liability on account thereof) shall have personal liability on account thereof or shall be required to make additional capital contributions or otherwise provide funding to help satisfy such indemnity of the Company.
(e) The Company hereby acknowledges that certain of its Members (the “Fund Indemnitees”) may have rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance in connection with their involvement with the Company provided by other Persons (collectively, the “Fund Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to the Fund Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Fund Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by the Fund Indemnitees are secondary), and (ii) that it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Fund Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Fund Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Fund Indemnitors on behalf of the Fund Indemnitees with respect to any claim for which the Fund Indemnitees have sought indemnification from the Company shall affect the foregoing and the Fund Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Fund Indemnitees against the Company.
(f) If this Section 6.4 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 6.4 to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 6.4 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
ARTICLE VII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
7.1 Records and Accounting. The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, appropriate books and records with respect to the Company’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide any information, lists and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to Section 7.3 or pursuant to applicable laws. All matters concerning (i) the determination of the relative amount of allocations and distributions among the Members pursuant to Article III and Article IV and (ii) accounting procedures and determinations, and other determinations not specifically and expressly provided for by the terms of this Agreement, shall be determined by the Managing Member, whose determination shall be final and conclusive as to all of the Members absent manifest clerical error.
7.2 Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year of the Company shall be such annual accounting period as is established by the Managing Member from time to time.
7.3 Reports. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered, as soon as practicable following the completion of each Taxable Year, but in all events no later than ninety (90) days (except that in the case of Schedule K-1, no later than ninety (90) days for an estimate of the information to be included in Schedule K-1 and no later
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than one hundred and twenty (120) days for Schedule K-1) after the end of each Taxable Year, to each Person who was a holder of Units at any time during such Taxable Year all information from the Company necessary for the preparation of such Person’s United States federal and state income tax returns. Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence or any separate written agreement between the Company and any Member, pursuant to Section 17704.10 of the California Act, no Member shall have the right to any other information from the Company, except as may be required by any non-waivable provision of law.
7.4 Transmission of Communications. Each Person that owns or controls Units on behalf of, or for the benefit of, another Person or Persons shall be responsible for conveying any report, notice or other communication received from the Company to such other Person or Persons.
7.5 Confidentiality.
(a) The Managing Member may keep confidential from the Members, for such period of time as the Managing Member determines in its sole discretion, (i) any information that the Managing Member reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the Managing Member believes is not in the best interests of the Company, could damage the Company or its business or that the Company is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential, including without limitation, information as to the Units held by any other Member. With respect to any schedules, annexes or exhibits to this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Member (other than the Managing Member) shall only be entitled to receive and review any such schedules, annexes and exhibits relating to such Member and shall not be entitled to receive or review any schedules, annexes or exhibits relating to any other Member (other than the Managing Member).
(b) Each Member agrees, for so long as such Member owns any Units and for a period of two (2) years following the date upon which such Member ceases to own any Units, to keep confidential, any non-public information provided to such Member by the Company; provided, however, that nothing herein will limit the disclosure of any information (i) to the extent required by law, statute, rule, regulation, judicial process, subpoena or court order or required by any governmental agency or other regulatory authority; (ii) that is in the public domain or becomes generally available to the public, in each case, other than as a result of the disclosure by the parties in violation of this Agreement; or (iii) to a Member’s Permitted Transferees, advisors, representatives and Affiliates; provided that such advisors, representatives and Affiliates shall have been advised of this agreement and shall have expressly agreed to be bound by the confidentiality provisions hereof, or shall otherwise be bound by comparable obligations of confidentiality, and the applicable Member shall be responsible for any breach of or failure to comply with this agreement by any of its Affiliates and such Member agrees, at its sole expense, to take reasonable measures (including but not limited to court proceedings) to restrain its advisors, representatives and Affiliates from prohibited or unauthorized disclosure or use of any confidential information.
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ARTICLE VIII
TAX MATTERS
8.1 Preparation of Tax Returns. The Company shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all tax returns required to be filed by the Company. The Managing Member shall determine the accounting methods and conventions under the tax laws of the United States, the several states and other relevant jurisdictions as to the treatment of items of income, gain, deduction, loss and credit or any other method or procedure related to the preparation of such tax returns. Each Member will, upon request, supply to the Company all reasonably accessible, pertinent information in its possession relating to the operations of the Company necessary to enable the Company’s tax returns to be prepared and filed. Each Member agrees in respect of any year in which such Member had an investment in the Company that, unless otherwise agreed by the Managing Member or as required by law, such Member shall not: (i) treat, on its individual tax returns, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit relating to such investment in a manner inconsistent with the treatment of such item by the Company, as reflected on the Schedule K-1 or other information statement furnished by the Company to such Member; or (ii) file any claim for refund relating to any such item based on, or which would result in, any such inconsistent treatment.
8.2 Tax Elections. The Taxable Year of the Company shall be the calendar year unless otherwise required by the Code or applicable tax laws. The Managing Member shall cause the Company to have in effect (and to cause each direct or indirect subsidiary that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes to have in effect) an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code, to adjust the tax basis of Company properties, for the taxable year that includes the date of the initial public offering of shares of Class A Common Stock and for each taxable year in which an Exchange occurs. The Managing Member shall determine whether to make or revoke any other available election or decision relating to tax matters, including controversy in Section 8.3 pursuant to the Code. Each Member will upon request supply any information necessary to give proper effect to any such election.
8.3 Tax Controversies.
(a) With respect to tax periods ending after December 31, 2017, the Managing Member (or its permitted designee) is hereby designated the “partnership representative” of the Company for purposes of, and in accordance with, Section 6223 of the Code (and any analogous provision of state or local tax law) (the “Partnership Representative”). With respect to tax periods ending on or prior to December 31, 2017, the Managing Member (or its permitted designee) shall act as the “tax matters partner” within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (and any analogous provision of state or local tax law) as in effect during such tax period (the “Tax Matters Member”). For each tax period in which the Partnership Representative is an entity, the Company shall appoint an individual identified by the Partnership Representative for such tax period to act on its behalf (the “Designated Individual”).
(b) The Partnership Representative, the Tax Matters Member, or the Designated Individual, as applicable, is authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in connection with all tax audits, litigations, contests, examinations, controversies and other similar proceedings of the Company’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Company funds for professional services reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Each holder of Units agrees to cooperate with the Company and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the
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Company with respect to the conduct of such proceedings. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the Partnership Representative, the Tax Matters Member, or the Designated Individual from engaging lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, or other professional advisers or experts to assist the Partnership Representative, the Tax Matters Member or the Designated Individual in discharging its duties hereunder. None of the Partnership Representative, the Tax Matters Member or Designated Individual shall be liable to the Company, any Member or any Affiliate thereof for any costs or losses to any Persons, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of the performance of its duties pursuant to this Section 8.3 absent (i) willful breach of any provision of this Section 8.3 or (ii) bad faith, fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Partnership Representative, the Tax Matters Member or Designated Individual, as applicable.
(c) The Partnership Representative, Tax Matters Member, or Designated Individual, as applicable, shall keep the Managing Member fully informed of the progress of any examinations, audits or other proceedings, it being agreed that no holder of Units (other than the Managing Member (or its permitted designee), in its capacity as Partnership Representative, Tax Matters Member or Designated Individual) shall have any right to participate in any such examinations, audits or other proceedings. Each Member hereby agrees to (i) take such actions as may be required to effect the designation of the Managing Member (or its designee) as the Partnership Representative, Tax Matters Member, or Designated Individual, (ii) to cooperate to provide any information or take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the Partnership Representative in order to determine whether any Imputed Underpayment Amount may be modified pursuant to Section 6225(c) of the Code, and (iii) in the event the Company makes an election under Section 6226 of the Code (and any analogous provision of state or local tax law), to take such actions as may be necessary or desirable to allow the Company to comply with the requirements of such election so that any “partnership adjustments” (as defined in Section 6241(2) of the Code) are taken into account by the Members and former Members rather than the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Partnership Representative, the Tax Matters Member, and the Designated Individual shall be subject to the control of the Managing Member pursuant to Section 8.2 and shall not settle or otherwise compromise any issue in any such examination, audit or other proceeding without first obtaining approval of the Managing Member.
ARTICLE IX
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF UNITS
9.1 Transfers of Units.
(a) Except as otherwise agreed to in writing between the Managing Member and the applicable Member and reflected in the books and records of the Company or as otherwise provided in this Article IX, no holder of Units may sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, distribute, contribute or otherwise dispose of (whether directly or indirectly (including, for the avoidance of doubt, by Transfer or issuance of any Capital Stock of any Member that is not a natural person), whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law) any interest (legal or beneficial) in any Units (a “Transfer”), except Exchanges pursuant to and in accordance with Article XII or Transfers pursuant to and in accordance with Sections 9.1(b).
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(b) The restrictions contained in Section 9.1(a) shall not apply, subject to Section 9.5, to any Transfer of Units (i) by any Member to its Affiliates, (ii) by any Member to a trust (whether revocable or irrevocable) solely for the benefit of such Person and such Person’s Family Group (or a re-Transfer of such Units by such trust back to such Member upon the revocation of any such trust) or pursuant to the applicable laws of descent or distribution among such Person’s Family Group, (iii) by any Member to such Person’s Family Group or (iv) from a Continuing Member to another Continuing Member or (v) pursuant to the Exchange Agreements (each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v), an “Exempt Transfer”); provided that the restrictions contained in this Agreement will continue to apply to the Units after any Transfer pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above and each transferee of Units shall agree in writing, prior to and as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of such Transfer, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, without modification or condition, subject only to the consummation of such Transfer. Upon the Transfer of Units pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of this Section 9.1(b), the transferor will deliver written notice to the Company, which notice will disclose in reasonable detail the identity of such transferee(s) and shall include original counterparts of this Agreement in a form acceptable to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no party hereto shall avoid the provisions of this Agreement by making one or more Transfers to one or more transferees permitted under clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section 9.1(b) and then disposing of all or any portion of such party’s interest in such transferee if such disposition would result in such transferee ceasing to be a Permitted Transferee.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, as a condition to any Transfer:
(i) if the transferor of Units who proposes to transfer such Units (or if such transferor is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the first direct or indirect beneficial owner of such transferor that is not a disregarded entity (the “Transferor’s Owner”)) is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, then such transferor (or Transferor’s Owner, if applicable) shall complete and provide to both of the transferee and the Company, a valid Non-Foreign Person Certificate, including the transferor’s (or Transferor’s Owner’s, if applicable) United States taxpayer identification number, or
(ii) if the transferor of Units who proposes to transfer such Units (or if such transferor is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Transferor’s Owner) is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, then such transferor and transferee shall jointly provide to the Company written proof reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member that any applicable withholding tax that may be imposed on such transfer (including pursuant to Sections 864 and 1446 of the Code) and any related tax returns or forms that are required to be filed, have been, or will be, timely paid and filed, as applicable.
(d) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, it shall be a condition precedent to any Transfer of any Class A Common Unit held by a Member other than PubCo that, concurrently with such Transfer such transferring Member shall also Transfer to the transferee the shares of Paired Voting Stock corresponding to such Transferred Class A Common Units.
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9.2 Restricted Units Legend.
(a) The Units have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, in addition to the other restrictions on Transfer contained in this Agreement, cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is then available. To the extent such Units have been certificated, each certificate evidencing Units and each certificate issued in exchange for or upon the Transfer of any Units (if such securities remain Units as defined herein after such Transfer) shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE ASSIGNED EXCEPT (1) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SECURITIES WHICH IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE ACT OR (2) PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF SECURITIES AND (3) IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES AND BLUE SKY LAWS.
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SPECIFIED IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES, AS SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE AMENDED, MODIFIED OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND THE ISSUER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES UNTIL SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED. A COPY OF SUCH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT SHALL BE FURNISHED BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.”
The Company will imprint such legend on certificates (if any) evidencing Units. The legend set forth above will be removed from the certificates (if any) evidencing any units which cease to be Units in accordance with the definition thereof.
(b) In connection with the Transfer of any Units, the holder thereof shall deliver written notice to the Company describing in reasonable detail the Transfer or proposed Transfer, which shall, if so requested by the Managing Member, be accompanied by (i) an opinion of counsel which (to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction) is knowledgeable in securities law matters to the effect that such Transfer of Units may be effected without registration of such Units under the Securities Act or (ii) such other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member to the effect that such Transfer of Units may be effected without registration of such Units under the Securities Act. In addition, if the holder of the Units delivers to the Company an opinion of such counsel that no subsequent Transfer of such Units shall require registration under the Securities Act, the Company shall promptly upon such contemplated Transfer deliver new certificates for
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such securities (if then certificated) which do not bear the Securities Act legend set forth in Section 9.2(a). If the Company is not required to deliver new certificates for such Units not bearing such legend, the holder thereof shall not effect any Transfer of the same until the prospective transferee has confirmed to the Company in writing its agreement to be bound by the conditions contained in this Agreement.
(c) Upon the request of any Member, the Company will promptly supply to such Member or its prospective transferees all information regarding the Company required to be delivered in connection with a Transfer pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(d) If any Units become eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission or no longer constitute “restricted securities” (as defined under Rule 144(a) of the Securities and Exchange Commission), the Company shall, upon the request of the holder of such Units, remove the Securities Act legend set forth in Section 9.2(a) above from the certificates (if any) for such securities.
9.3 Assignee’s Rights.
(a) Subject to Section 9.5(b), a Transfer of Units in a manner in accordance with this Agreement shall be effective as of the date of assignment and compliance with the conditions to such Transfer and such Transfer shall be shown on the books and records of the Company. Income, loss and other Company items shall be allocated between the transferor and the Assignee according to Code Section 706 as determined by the Managing Member. Distributions made before the effective date of such Transfer shall be paid to the transferor, and Distributions made after such date shall be paid to the Assignee.
(b) Unless and until an Assignee becomes a Member pursuant to Article X, the Assignee shall not be entitled to any of the rights granted to a Member hereunder or under applicable law, other than the rights granted specifically to Assignees pursuant to this Agreement; provided that without relieving the transferring Member from any such limitations or obligations as more fully described in Section 9.4, such Assignee shall be bound by any limitations and obligations of a Member contained herein that a Member would be bound on account of such Units (including the obligation to make Capital Contributions on account of such Units).
9.4 Assignor’s Rights and Obligations. Any Member who shall Transfer any Units in a manner in accordance with this Agreement shall cease to be a Member with respect to such Units or such other interest and shall no longer have any rights, powers or privileges, or, except as set forth in this Section 9.4, duties, liabilities or obligations, of a Member with respect to such Units or such other interest (it being understood, however, that the applicable provisions of Sections 5.5 and 6.4 shall continue to inure to such Person’s benefit), except that unless and until the Assignee is admitted as a substituted Member in accordance with the provisions of Article X (the “Admission Date”), (i) such assigning Member shall retain all of the duties, liabilities and obligations of a Member with respect to such Units or other interest, including, without limitation, the obligation (together with its Assignee pursuant to Section 9.3(b)) to make and return Capital Contributions on account of such Units or other interest pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (ii) the Managing Member may reinstate all or any portion of the rights and privileges of such
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Member with respect to such Units or other interest for any period of time prior to the Admission Date. Nothing contained herein shall relieve any Member who Transfers any Units or other interest in the Company from any liability of such Member to the Company with respect to such Units that may exist on the Admission Date or that is otherwise specified in the California Act and incorporated into this Agreement or for any liability to the Company or any other Person for any materially false statement made by such Member (in its capacity as such) or for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by such Member (in its capacity as such) contained herein or in the other agreements with the Company.
9.5 Further Restrictions.
(a) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, the Managing Member may impose such vesting requirements, forfeiture provisions, Transfer restrictions, minimum retained ownership requirements or other similar provisions with respect to any Units that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement or are created thereafter, only with the written consent of the holder of such Units. Such requirements, provisions and restrictions need not be uniform and may be waived or released by the Managing Member in its sole discretion with respect to all or a portion of the Units owned by any one or more Members at any time and from time to time, and shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute the breach of any duty hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise.
(b) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, in no event may any Transfer of Units be made by any Member or Assignee if the Managing Member determines in good faith that:
(i) such Transfer is made to any Person who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own such Units;
(ii) such Transfer would require the registration of such transferred Units or of any class of Units pursuant to any applicable U.S. federal or state securities laws (including, without limitation, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) or other non-U.S. securities laws (including Canadian provincial or territorial securities laws) or would constitute a non-exempt distribution pursuant to applicable provincial or state securities laws;
(iii) such Transfer would cause (i) all or any portion of the assets of the Company to (A) constitute “plan assets” (under ERISA, the Code or any applicable Similar Law) of any existing or contemplated Member, or (B) be subject to the provisions of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any applicable Similar Law, or (ii) the Managing Member to become a fiduciary with respect to any existing or contemplated Member, pursuant to ERISA, any applicable Similar Law, or otherwise;
(iv) to the extent requested by the Managing Member, the Company does not receive such legal and/or tax opinions and written instruments (including, without limitation, copies of any instruments of Transfer and such Assignee’s consent to be bound by this Agreement as an Assignee) that are in a form satisfactory to the Managing Member, as determined by the Managing Member in good faith; or
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(v) such Transfer would pose a material risk that the Company would be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(c) In addition, notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, to the extent the Managing Member shall reasonably determine that interests in the Company do not meet the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3), provided that, for such purpose, unless otherwise required by applicable Law, the Company and the Managing Member shall assume that each Member as of immediately after the Pre-IPO Exchanges is treated as a single partner within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (and none of the Member’s beneficial owners is treated as a separate partner)), the Managing Member may impose such restrictions on the Transfer of Units or other interests in the Company as the Managing Member may reasonably determine to be necessary or advisable so that the Company is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
9.6 Counterparts; Joinder. Prior to Transferring any Units (other than Exchanges pursuant to the Exchange Agreements, Article XII or any other Transfer to the Company) and as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of such Transfer, the transferring holder of Units will cause the prospective transferee(s) of such Units to execute and deliver to the Company counterparts of this Agreement and any other agreements relating to such Units, or executed joinders to such agreements, in each case, in a form acceptable to the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person who acquires in any manner whatsoever any Units, irrespective of whether such Person has accepted and adopted in writing the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall be deemed by the acceptance of the benefits of the acquisition thereof to have agreed to be subject to and bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement to which any predecessor in such Units was subject or by which such predecessor was bound.
9.7 Ineffective Transfer. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Units in violation of any provision of this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be void, and the Company will not record such Transfer on its books or treat any purported transferee of such Units as the owner of such securities for any purpose.
ARTICLE X
ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
10.1 Substituted Members. Subject to the provisions of Article IX hereof, in connection with the permitted Transfer (including an Exempt Transfer) of any Units of a Member, the transferee shall become a Substituted Member on the effective date of such Transfer, which effective date shall not be earlier than the date of compliance with the conditions to such Transfer, and such admission shall be shown on the books and records of the Company.
10.2 Additional Members. Subject to the provisions of Article IX hereof, a Person may be admitted to the Company as an Additional Member only upon furnishing to the Company (a)
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counterparts of this Agreement or an executed joinder to this Agreement in a form acceptable to the Managing Member and (b) such other documents or instruments as may be necessary or appropriate to effect such Person’s admission as a Member (including entering into such documents as the Managing Member may deem appropriate); provided, however, that PubCo, upon acquiring Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreements, shall, automatically without any further action on the part of the Company or PubCo, be admitted to the Company as an Additional Member. Such admission shall become effective on the date on which the Managing Member determines that such conditions have been satisfied and when any such admission is shown on the books and records of the Company.
10.3 Additional Managing Member. No Person may be admitted to the Company as an additional Managing Member or substitute Managing Member without the prior approval of the holders of Class B Voting Units. A Managing Member will not be entitled to resign as a Managing Member of the Company unless another Managing Member shall have been designated pursuant to Section 5.1 (and not have previously been removed or resigned). Any additional Managing Member or substitute Managing Member admitted as a Managing Member of the Company pursuant to this Section 10.3 is hereby authorized to, and shall, continue the Company without dissolution.
ARTICLE XI
WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS
No Member shall have the power or right to withdraw or otherwise resign as a Member from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article XIII without the prior written consent of the Managing Member, except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement. Any Member, however, that attempts to withdraw or otherwise resign as a Member from the Company without the prior written consent of the Managing Member upon or following the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article XIII but prior to such Member receiving the full amount of distributions from the Company to which such Member is entitled pursuant to Article XIII shall be liable to the Company for all damages (including all lost profits and special, indirect and consequential damages) directly or indirectly caused by the withdrawal or resignation of such Member, and such Member shall be entitled to receive the Fair Market Value of such Member’s equity interest in the Company as of the date of its resignation (or, if less, the amount that such Member would have received on account of such equity interest had such Member not resigned or otherwise withdrew from the Company), as conclusively determined by the Managing Member, on the sixth month anniversary date (or such earlier date determined by the Managing Member) following the completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided in Article XIII to all other Members. Upon a Transfer of all of a Member’s Units in a Transfer permitted by this Agreement, subject to the provisions of Section 9.4, such Member shall cease to be a Member.
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ARTICLE XII
REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS
12.1 Exchange Procedures.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article XII and the other provisions of this Agreement, after the expiration of the period commencing on the Effective Time and ending on the date that is six (6) months following the Effective Time (the “Lock-Up Period”), each Member (other than PubCo) shall be entitled, not more than once per month, to cause the Company to effect an Exchange at least equal to or exceeding the Minimum Exchange Amount, by delivering an Exchange Notice to the Company with a copy to PubCo. Each Exchange Notice shall be in the form set forth on Exhibit A and shall include all information required to be included therein. In the event that an Exchange is being exercised in order to participate in a Piggyback Registration, the Exchange Notice Date shall be prior to the expiration of the time period in which a holder of securities is required to notify PubCo that it wishes to participate in such Piggyback Registration in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
(b) Solely in connection with an Exchange that coincides with a substantially concurrent public offering or private sale of Class A Common Stock, within five (5) Business Days of the giving of an Exchange Notice, the Managing Member may elect to cause the Company to settle all or a portion of the Exchange in cash in an amount equal to the Cash Exchange Payment (in lieu of shares of Class A Common Stock), exercisable by giving written notice of such election to the Exchanging Member within such five (5) Business Day period (such notice, the “Cash Exchange Notice”). The Cash Exchange Notice shall set forth the portion of the Exchanged Units which shall be redeemed for cash in lieu of Class A Common Stock. To the extent such Exchange relates to the exercise of the Exchanging Member’s registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, PubCo and the Company shall cooperate in good faith with such Exchanging Member to exercise such Exchange in a manner which preserves such Exchanging Member’s rights thereunder. At any time following the giving of a Cash Exchange Notice and prior to the Exchange Date, the Managing Member may elect (exercisable by giving written notice of such election to the Exchanging Member) to revoke the Cash Exchange Notice with respect to all or any portion of the Exchanged Units and to cause the Company to redeem such Exchanged Units on the Exchange Date for the Stock Exchange Payment. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall have no obligation to make a Cash Exchange Payment that exceeds the cash contributed to the Company by PubCo from PubCo’s offering or sales of Class A Common Stock referenced in this Section 12.1(b).
(c) In the event the Managing Member does not timely give a Cash Exchange Notice (or revokes a Cash Exchange Notice in accordance with the foregoing Section 12.1(b)), the Exchanging Member may, if and only if any Exchange Condition exists, elect to (x) retract its Exchange Notice or (y) delay the consummation of an Exchange, in each case, exercisable by giving written notice of such election to the Managing Member within two (2) Business Days of the occurrence of an Exchange Condition and in any event no later than one (1) Business Day prior to the Exchange Date (such notice under clause (y), an “Exchange Delay Notice”); provided that any such notice must specify the particular Exchange Condition giving rise to such election. The giving of any notice pursuant to clause (x) shall terminate all of the Exchanging Member’s, the Managing Member’s and the Company’s rights and obligations under this Article XII arising from such retracted Exchange Notice.
12.2 Exchange Payment. The Exchange shall be consummated on the Exchange Date. Unless PubCo has exercised its PubCo Call Right pursuant to Section 12.6, on the Exchange Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Exchange Date) (i) PubCo shall
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contribute to the Company for delivery to the Exchanging Member (x) the Stock Exchange Payment with respect to any Exchanged Units not subject to a Cash Exchange Notice and (y) the Cash Exchange Payment with respect to any Exchanged Units subject to a Cash Exchange Notice, (ii) the Exchanging Member shall transfer and surrender the Exchanged Units to the Company, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, (iii) the Company shall issue to PubCo a number of Class A Common Units equal to the number of Class A Common Units surrendered pursuant to clause (ii), (iv) solely to the extent necessary in connection with an Exchange, PubCo shall undertake all actions, including an issuance, reclassification, distribution, division or recapitalization, with respect to the Class A Common Stock to maintain a one-to-one ratio between the number of Class A Common Units owned by PubCo, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, taking into account the issuance in clause (iii), any Stock Exchange Payment, and any other action taken in connection with this Article XII, (v) the Company shall (x) cancel the redeemed Class A Common Units which were Exchanged Units held by the Exchanging Member and (y) transfer to the Exchanging Member the Cash Exchange Payment and/or the Stock Exchange Payment, as applicable, and (vi) PubCo shall cancel the surrendered shares of Paired Voting Stock. On or prior to the Exchange Date, and as a condition to the Exchange, the Exchanging Member shall make any applicable Certificate Delivery. Upon the Exchange of all of a Member’s Units, such Member shall cease to be a Member of the Company.
12.3 Splits, Distributions and Reclassifications. If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the shares of Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, this Article XII shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property. This Section 12.3 is intended to preserve the intended economic effect of Section 3.1 and this Article XII and to put each Member in the same economic position, to the greatest extent possible, with respect to Exchanges as if such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction had not occurred and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent.
12.4 PubCo Covenants. PubCo shall at all times keep available, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issuable upon the Exchange of all outstanding Class A Common Units (other than those Class A Common Units held by PubCo); provided that nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to preclude the Company or PubCo from satisfying their obligations with respect to an Exchange by delivery of a Cash Exchange Payment or shares of Class A Common Stock that are held in treasury of PubCo. PubCo covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issued upon an Exchange shall, upon issuance thereof, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. In addition, for so long as the shares of Class A Common Stock are listed on a stock exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, PubCo shall cause all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange to be listed on such stock exchange or automated or electronic quotation system at the time of such issuance. For purposes of this Section 12.4, references to the “Class A Common Stock” shall be deemed to include any Equity Securities issued or issuable as a result of any reclassification, combination, subdivision or similar transaction of the Class A Common Stock that any Member would be entitled to receive pursuant to Section 12.3.
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12.5 Exchange Taxes. PubCo, the Company and each Exchanging Member shall bear their own expenses in connection with the consummation of any Exchange, whether or not any such Exchange is ultimately consummated, except that the Company shall bear any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, any Exchange; provided, however, that if any shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered in a name other than that of the Exchanging Member (subject to the restrictions in Article IX), then the Person or Persons in whose name the shares are to be issued shall pay to the Company or PubCo, as applicable, the amount of any additional tax that may be payable in respect of any Transfer involved in such issuance in excess of the amount otherwise due if such shares were issued in the name of the Exchanging Member or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company or PubCo, as applicable, that such additional tax has been paid or is not payable.
12.6 PubCo Call Rights. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.6, with respect to any Exchange Notice, an Exchanging Member shall be deemed to have offered to sell its Exchanged Units as described in any Exchange Notice directly to PubCo (rather than causing the Company to redeem such Exchanged Units), and PubCo may, by delivery of a written notice to the Exchanging Member no later than five (5) Business Days following the giving of an Exchange Notice, in accordance with, and subject to the terms of, this Section 12.6 (such notice, a “PubCo Call Notice”), elect to purchase directly and acquire such Exchanged Units on the Exchange Date by paying to the Exchanging Member (or such other Person specified in the Exchange Notice) the Stock Exchange Payment and/or the Cash Exchange Payment, whereupon PubCo shall acquire the Exchanged Units on the Exchange Date and be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Class A Common Units. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 12.6, an exercise of the PubCo Call Right shall be consummated pursuant to the same timeframe and in the same manner as the relevant Exchange would have been consummated if PubCo had not given a PubCo Call Notice, in each case as relevant, including that Section 12.1(b) shall apply mutatis mutandis and that clauses (iv) and (vi) of Section 12.2 shall apply (notwithstanding that the other clauses thereof do not apply).
12.7 Distribution Rights. No Exchange shall impair the right of the Exchanging Member to receive any Distributions payable on the Class A Common Units redeemed pursuant to such Exchange in respect of a record date that occurs prior to the Exchange Date for such Exchange. No Exchanging Member, or a Person designated by an Exchanging Member to receive shares of Class A Common Stock, shall be entitled to receive, with respect to such record date, Distributions or dividends both on Class A Common Units redeemed by the Company from such Exchanging Member and on shares of Class A Common Stock received by such Exchanging Member, or other Person so designated, if applicable, in such Exchange.
12.8 Exchange Restrictions
(a) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, to the extent the Managing Member shall reasonably determine that interests in the Company do not meet the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3), provided that, for such purpose, unless otherwise required by applicable Law, the Company and the Managing Member shall assume that each Member as of immediately following the Pre-IPO Exchanges is treated as a single partner within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (and none of the Member’s beneficial owners is
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treated as a separate partner)), the Managing Member may impose such restrictions on Exchanges (including limiting Exchanges or creating priority procedures for Exchanges) as the Managing Member may reasonably determine to be necessary or advisable so that the Company is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. If the Managing Member determines in good faith that any such limitations or restrictions are necessary, then before imposing any such restrictions, the Managing Member shall first consult in good faith with the Continuing Member Representative in order to attempt to ameliorate the cause of such restrictions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Exchange shall be permitted (and, if attempted, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be void ab initio) if, in the good faith determination of the Managing Member, such Exchange would pose a material risk that the Company would be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code.
(b) For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Member shall not be entitled to effect an Exchange to the extent PubCo or the Company reasonably determines that such Exchange (i) would be prohibited by law or regulation (including, without limitation, the unavailability of any requisite registration statement filed under the Securities Act or any exemption from the registration requirements thereunder) or (ii) would not be permitted under any other agreements with PubCo or its subsidiaries by which such Member is bound (including, without limitation, this Agreement) or any written policies of PubCo related to unlawful or inappropriate trading applicable to its directors, officers or other personnel. Upon such determination, PubCo shall notify the Member requesting the Exchange of such determination, which notice shall include an explanation in reasonable detail as to the reason that the Exchange has not been effected.
12.9 Tax Matters
(a) In connection with any Exchange, the Exchanging Member shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to PubCo or the Company, as applicable, a certificate, dated as of the Exchange Date and sworn under penalties of perjury, in a form reasonably acceptable to PubCo or the Company, as applicable, certifying as to such Exchanging Member’s taxpayer identification number and that such Exchanging Member is a not a foreign person for purposes of Section 1445 and Section 1446(f) of the Code, which certificate may be an Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 if then sufficient for such purposes under applicable Law (such certificate a “Non-Foreign Person Certificate”). If an Exchanging Member is unable to provide a Non-Foreign Person Certificate in connection with an Exchange, then, at the Managing Member’s option, (i) such Exchanging Member shall provide a certificate substantially in the form described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1446(f)-2(c)(2)(ii)(B) or (ii) the Company shall deliver a certificate substantially in the form described in Regulations Section 1.1446(f)-2(c)(2)(ii)(C), in each case setting forth the liabilities of the Company allocated to the Exchanged Units under Section 752 of the Code, and PubCo or the Company, as applicable, shall be permitted to withhold on the amount realized by such Exchanging Partner in respect of such Exchange as provided in Section 1446(f) of the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder and consistent with the certificate provided pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence, as applicable.
(b) For U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes, each of the Exchanging Member, the Company and PubCo agree to treat, to the maximum extent permitted
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by applicable law, each Exchange as a taxable sale by the Exchanging Member of the Exchanging Member’s Class A Common Units (together with an equal number of shares of Paired Voting Stock, which shares shall not be allocated any economic value) to PubCo in exchange for (A) the payment by PubCo of the Stock Exchange Payment, the Cash Exchange Payment, or other applicable consideration to the Exchanging Member, and (B) corresponding payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Within thirty (30) days following the Exchange Date, PubCo shall deliver a Section 743 notification to the Company in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.743-1(k)(2).
12.10 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, with respect to any Exchange pursuant to Article XII, PubCo, the Company and their agents and affiliates shall have the right to deduct and withhold taxes (in cash or in kind, including Class A Common Stock with a fair market value determined in the sole discretion of the Managing Member equal to the amount of such taxes) from any payments to be made pursuant to such Exchange, if, in their opinion, such withholding is required by law. The Managing Member may, in its sole discretion, allow an Exchanging Member to pay such taxes owed on the Exchange in cash in lieu of the Company or PubCo, as applicable, withholding or deducting such taxes. To the extent that any of the aforementioned amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been delivered and paid to the recipient of the payments in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. To the extent that any payment pursuant to this Agreement is not reduced by such deductions or withholdings, such recipient shall indemnify the applicable withholding agent for any amounts imposed by any taxing authority together with any costs and expenses related thereto.
12.11 Representations and Warranties. In connection with any Exchange or exercise of a PubCo Call Right, (i) upon the acceptance of the Class A Common Stock or an amount of cash equal to the Cash Exchange Payment, the Exchanging Member shall represent and warrant that the Exchanging Member is the owner of the number of Class A Common Units that the Exchanging Member is electing to Exchange and that such Class A Common Units are not subject to any liens or restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions imposed by this Agreement, the certificate of incorporation, bylaws and any other governing documents of PubCo and applicable Law), and (ii) if the Managing Member elects a Stock Exchange Payment, the Managing Member shall represent that (A) the shares of Class A Common Stock issued to the Exchanging Member in settlement of the Stock Exchange Payment are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable securities laws, and (B) the issuance of such shares of Class A Common Stock issued to the Exchanging Member in settlement of the Stock Exchange Payment does not conflict with or result in any breach of the organizational documents of PubCo.
ARTICLE XIII
DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP
13.1 Dissolution. The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substituted Members or the attempted withdrawal or resignation of a Member. The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 17707.03 of the California Act;
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(b) any event which makes it unlawful for the business of the Company to be carried on by the Members;
(c) at any time there are no Members, unless the Company is continued in accordance with the California Act; or
(d) the determination of the Managing Member in its sole discretion; provided that in the event of a dissolution pursuant to this clause (d), the relative economic rights of each class of Units immediately prior to such dissolution shall be preserved to the greatest extent practicable with respect to distributions made to Members pursuant to Section 13.2 in connection with the winding up of the Company, taking into consideration tax and other legal constraints that may adversely affect one or more parties hereto and subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, unless, and to the extent that, with respect to any class of Units, holders of not less than 90% of the Units of such class consent in writing to a treatment other than as described above; provided, that if the dissolution of the Company pursuant to and in accordance with clauses (b) or (d) in this Section 13.1 would have a material adverse effect on any Member, the dissolution of the Company shall require the prior written consent of such Member, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Except as otherwise set forth in this Article XIII, the Company is intended to have perpetual existence. An Event of Withdrawal shall not, in and of itself, cause a dissolution of the Company and the Company shall continue in existence subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
13.2 Winding Up and Termination. On dissolution of the Company, the Managing Member shall act as liquidating trustee or may appoint one or more Persons as liquidating trustee. The liquidating trustee shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the California Act. The costs of winding up shall be borne as a Company expense. Until the final Distribution, the liquidating trustee shall continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Managing Member. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidating trustee are as follows:
(a) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after completion of the winding up, the liquidating trustee shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities and operations through the last day of the calendar month in which the dissolution occurs or the completion of the winding up is completed, as applicable;
(b) the liquidating trustee shall pay, satisfy or discharge from Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including, without limitation, all expenses incurred of winding up) or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including, without limitation, the establishment of a cash fund for contingent, conditional or unmatured liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidating trustee may reasonably determine); and
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(c) all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with Section 4.1(b) by the end of the Taxable Year of the Company during which the winding up of the Company occurs (or, if later, by ninety (90) days after the date of the winding up).
The Distribution of cash and/or property to Members in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13.2 and Section 13.3 constitutes a complete return to the Members of their Capital Contributions and a complete Distribution to the Members of their interest in the Company and all the Company’s property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of the California Act. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.
13.3 Deferment; Distribution in Kind. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if upon dissolution of the Company the liquidating trustee determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Company’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss (or would otherwise not be beneficial) to the Members, the liquidating trustee may, in its sole discretion, defer for a reasonable time the winding up of any assets except those necessary to satisfy Company liabilities (other than loans to the Company by Members) and reserves. Subject to the order of priorities set forth in Section 13.2, the liquidating trustee may, in its sole discretion, distribute to the Members, in lieu of cash, either (i) all or any portion of such remaining Company assets in-kind in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2(c), (ii) as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2(c), undivided interests in all or any portion of such Company assets or (iii) a combination of the foregoing. Any such Distributions in kind shall be subject to (x) such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such assets as the liquidating trustee deems reasonable and equitable and (y) the terms and conditions of any agreements governing such assets (or the operation thereof or the holders thereof) at such time. Any Company assets distributed in kind will first be written up or down to their Fair Market Value, thus creating Profit or Loss (if any), which shall be allocated in accordance with Section 4.2. The liquidating trustee shall determine the Fair Market Value of any property distributed in accordance with the valuation procedures set forth in Article XIV.
13.4 Cancellation of Certificate. On completion of the winding up of the Company’s affairs and distribution of Company assets as provided herein, the Company is terminated (and the Company shall not be terminated prior to such time), and the Managing Member (or such other Person or Persons as the California Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of California, cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that are or should be canceled and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company. The Company shall be deemed to continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this Section 13.4.
13.5 Reasonable Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Sections 13.2 and 13.3 in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.
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13.6 Return of Capital. The liquidating trustee shall not be personally liable for the return of Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Members (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from Company assets).
ARTICLE XIV
VALUATION
14.1 Value. “Fair Market Value” of any asset, property or equity interest means the amount which a seller of such asset, property or equity interest would receive in a sale of such asset, property or equity interest in an arms-length transaction with an unaffiliated third party consummated on a date determined by the Managing Member (which may be the date on which the event occurred which necessitated the determination of the Fair Market Value) (and after giving effect to any transfer taxes payable in connection with such sale). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in making the determination of Fair Market Value as described in Section 14.2, the Managing Member, the Continuing Member Representative and any investment banking firm (as described below) shall not give effect or take into account any “minority discount” or “liquidity discount” (or any similar discount arising out of the fact that the Units are restricted or is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, publicly traded or listed on a securities exchange), but shall value the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses in their entirety on an enterprise basis using any variety of industry recognized valuation techniques commonly used to value businesses.
14.2 Determination and Dispute. Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Managing Member (or, if pursuant to Section 13.3, the liquidating trustee) in its good faith judgment in such manner as it deems reasonable and using all factors, information and data deemed to be pertinent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the request of the Continuing Member Representative, the Managing Member will retain an investment banking firm of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the Continuing Member Representative to determine the Fair Market Value of such Units, assets or consideration.
ARTICLE XV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
15.1 Power of Attorney.
(a) Each holder of Units hereby constitutes and appoints the Managing Member and the liquidating trustee, with full power of substitution, as his, her or its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his, her or its name, place and stead, to:
(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) this Agreement, all certificates and other instruments and all amendments thereof which the Managing Member deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify, or continue the qualification of, the Company as a limited liability company in the State of California and in all other jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own property; (B) all instruments which the Managing Member deems
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appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (C) all conveyances and other instruments or documents which the Managing Member deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a certificate of cancellation; and (D) all instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal or substitution of any Member pursuant to Article X or Article XI; and
(ii) sign, execute, swear to and acknowledge all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments appropriate or necessary, in the reasonable judgment of the Managing Member, to evidence, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action which is made or given by such holder of Units hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement and/or appropriate or necessary (and not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement), in the reasonable judgment of the Managing Member, to effectuate the terms of this Agreement.
(b) For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing power of attorney does not include the power or authority to vote any Units held by any Member on any matter on which the Members have a right to vote, either at a meeting or by any written consent, as contemplated under this Agreement.
(c) The foregoing power of attorney is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, and shall survive the death, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or termination of any holder of Units and the Transfer of all or any portion of his, her or its Units and shall extend to such holder’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives.
15.2 Amendments.
(a) The Managing Member (pursuant to its power of attorney from the holders of Units as provided in Section 15.1 or otherwise), without the consent of any holder of Units, may amend any provision of this Agreement, and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:
(i) a change in the name of the Company or the location of the principal place of business of the Company;
(ii) admission, substitution, removal or withdrawal or resignation of Members or Assignees in accordance with this Agreement;
(iii) a change that does not adversely affect any holder of Units in any material respect in its capacity as an owner of Units and is necessary or desirable to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any United States federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any United States federal or state statute; or
(iv) amendments contemplated by Section 3.1(c).
(b) Except as provided in Section 2.2 and Section 15.2(a), this Agreement may not be amended or modified except with the consent of the Managing Member and, so long as the
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Founder Ownership Percentage is at least 15%, the approval of the Continuing Member Representative. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, (i) no consent or approval shall be required for the Company to admit a Permitted Transferee as a Member following an Exempt Transfer completed in compliance with this Agreement, and (ii) if the Founder Ownership Percentage is less than 15%, the Continuing Member Representative must also consent to or approve any amendments or modifications to Article IV, Section 6.1, Section 9.1, Article XII, Section 13.2, this Section 15.2 or related definitions or any other amendments or modifications that affect the rights granted to Continuing Members in such sections in any material respect, including, without limitation, changes to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange, either through an amendment to the definition of “Exchange Rate” or otherwise, or that otherwise increases the obligations or decreases the benefits to the Continuing Members. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment which would materially and adversely affect the rights or duties of a Member on a discriminatory and non-pro rata basis shall require the consent of such Member, other than those actions set forth in Section 15.2(a) above. In addition, the amendment of any specific approval, consent, voting right, or transfer rights of a specified Member shall require the approval of such Member, provided that such Member holds the number of Units, as applicable, required to exercise such rights. Any amendment or modification effected in accordance with this Section 15.2(b) shall be effective, in accordance with its terms, with respect to the rights and obligations of and binding upon all Members. For the avoidance of doubt, without any action or requirement of consent by any Member, the Company shall update the books and records of the Company to remove a Member’s name therefrom once such Member no longer holds any Equity Securities, following which such Person shall cease to be a “Member” or have any rights or obligations under this Agreement.
15.3 Title to Company Assets. The Company assets shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity, and no holder of Units, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Company assets or any portion thereof. The Managing Member hereby declares and warrants that any Company assets for which legal title is held in its name or the name of any nominee shall be held in trust by the Managing Member or such nominee for the use and benefit of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. All Company assets shall be recorded as the property of the Company on its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Company assets is held.
15.4 Addresses and Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement will be in writing and will be either personally delivered, or received by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or electronic mail to the Company at the address set forth below and to any other recipient and to any holder of Units at such address as indicated by the Company’s records, or at such address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder when delivered personally or sent by electronic mail (provided confirmation of transmission is received), three days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier service. The Company’s address is:
To the Company:
Rani Therapeutics, LLC
2051 Ringwood Avenue
53
San Jose, CA 95131
Email Address: svai@ranitherapeutics.com
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
To the Managing Member:
Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.
2051 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, CA 95131
Email Address: svai@ranitherapeutics.com
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
in each case, with a copy (which shall not constitute written notice) to:
Cooley LLP
3175 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130
Email Address: jseidenfeld@cooley.com
Attention: Josh Seidenfeld
15.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
15.6 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in Company Profits, Losses, Distributions, capital or property other than as a secured creditor.
15.7 Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
15.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which will be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement binding on all the parties hereto. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) 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.
15.9 Applicable Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of California or any other
54
jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of California. Any dispute relating hereto shall be heard in the state or federal courts of California, and the parties agree to exclusive jurisdiction and venue therein and waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection based on venue or forum non conveniens with respect to any action instituted therein. The parties hereto hereby consent to service being made through the notice procedures set forth in Section 15.4 and irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, 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.
15.10 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
15.11 Further Action. The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
15.12 Delivery by Facsimile. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement or contemplated hereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or electronic transmission (i.e., in portable document format), shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic transmission to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or electronic transmission as a defense to the formation of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.
15.13 Offset. Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any holder of Units or any Affiliate or related person thereof, any undisputed amounts that such holder of Units or such Affiliate or related person owes to the Company (such lack of dispute to be evidenced by written confirmation of such by such holder of Units or related person thereof) may be deducted from that sum before payment.
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15.14 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, those documents expressly referred to herein (including the Exchange Agreements and the Tax Receivable Agreement) and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral (including the Prior Agreement), which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.
15.15 Remedies. Each holder of Units shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Person has under any law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to seek to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law.
15.16 Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. Reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Wherever required by the context, references to a Fiscal Year shall refer to a portion thereof. The use of the words “or,” “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, to the fullest extent permitted by law, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Wherever a conflict exists between this Agreement and any other agreement, this Agreement shall control but solely to the extent of such conflict.
15.17 Spousal Consent. Each Member who is married severally represents that true and complete copies of this Agreement and all documents to be executed by such Member hereunder have been furnished to his or her spouse; represents and warrants to the Company and to the other Members that such spouse has read this Agreement and all related documents applicable to such Member, is familiar with each of their terms, and has agreed to be bound to the obligations of such Member hereunder and thereunder.
* * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
| RANI THERAPEUTICS, LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC., including with respect to the Class B Voting Units anticipated to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Agreements | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
| MEMBERS | ||
| [Member 1] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
| MEMBERS | ||
| [Member 2] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF]
ELECTION OF EXCHANGE
Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.
2051 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, CA 95131
Email Address: [svai@ranitherapeutics.com]
Attention: [Chief Financial Officer]
Rani Therapeutics, LLC
2051 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, CA 95131
Email Address: [svai@ranitherapeutics.com]
Attention: [Chief Financial Officer]
Reference is hereby made to the Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Rani Therapeutics, LLC, a California limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of [•], 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”), among Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), the Company, and the Members from time to time party thereto (each, a “Holder”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the LLC Agreement.
Effective as of the Exchange Date as determined in accordance with the LLC Agreement, the undersigned Member hereby transfers and surrenders to the Company the number of Class A Common Units set forth below and an equal number of shares of Paired Voting Stock held by such Member in exchange for the issuance to the undersigned Member of that number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Class A Common Units so exchanged (to be issued in its name as set forth below), or, at the sole election of the Managing Member, a Cash Exchange Payment to the account set forth below, in each case in accordance with the LLC Agreement. The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the Exchange of Class A Common Units shall include the cancellation of an equal number of outstanding shares of Paired Voting Stock held by the undersigned that have been surrendered in such Exchange.
| Legal Name of Undersigned Member: |
| Address: |
||
| Number of Class A Common Units to be Exchanged: |
| Cash Exchange Payment instructions: |
If the undersigned Member desires the shares of Class A Common Stock be settled through the facilities of The Depositary Trust Company (“DTC”), please indicate the account of the DTC participant below.
In the event PubCo elects to certificate the shares of Class A Common Stock issued to the Member, please indicate the following:
| Legal Name for Certificate Delivery: |
| Address for Certificate Delivery: |
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Election of Exchange and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Election of Exchange has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned enforceable against it in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof, as the case may be, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the availability of equitable remedies; (iii) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the undersigned, the Class A Common Units, the Paired Voting Stock or shares of Class A Common Stock subject to this Election of Exchange is required to be obtained by the undersigned for the transfer of such Class A Common Units, Paired Voting Stock or shares of Class A Common Stock to the Company (or PubCo, as applicable); (iv) the undersigned has complied with any qualifications or filings required under applicable securities laws; (v) the undersigned is the owner of the number of Class A Common Units and Paired Voting Stock the undersigned is electing to Exchange pursuant to this Exchange Notice, and that such Class A Common Units and Paired Voting Stock are not subject to any liens or restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions imposed by the Agreement, the charter and governing documents of PubCo and applicable Law); (vi) the undersigned is an accredited investor as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; (vii) the undersigned is either not currently in possession of material non-public information concerning PubCo or its securities or will not be in possession of such material non-public information at the time the shares of Class A common stock are sold in any public sale and (viii) the undersigned has consulted with the undersigned’s personal tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to the undersigned of this Election of Exchange and acknowledges that neither PubCo nor the Company is making any representations or warranties regarding the tax treatment of this Election of Exchange.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer of PubCo, as applicable, as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, solely to do any and all things and to take any and all actions necessary to effect the Exchange elected hereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Election of Exchange to be executed and delivered by the undersigned or by its duly authorized attorney.
| Name: |
| Dated: |
Exhibit 10.11
RANI THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY
Each member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) who is not also serving as an employee of or consultant to Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) or any of its subsidiaries (each such member, an “Eligible Director”) will receive the compensation described in this Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy for his or her Board service upon and following the date of the underwriting agreement between the Company and the underwriters managing the initial public offering of the Company’s Class A common stock (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to which the Common Stock is priced in such initial public offering (the “Effective Date”). An Eligible Director may decline all or any portion of his or her compensation by giving notice to the Company prior to the date cash may be paid or equity awards are to be granted, as the case may be. This policy is effective as of the Effective Date and may be amended at any time in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board.
Annual Cash Compensation
The annual cash compensation amount set forth below is payable to Eligible Directors in equal quarterly installments, payable in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter in which the service occurred. If an Eligible Director joins the Board or a committee of the Board at a time other than effective as of the first day of a fiscal quarter, each annual retainer set forth below will be pro-rated based on days served in the applicable fiscal quarter, with the pro-rated amount paid on the last day of the first fiscal quarter in which the Eligible Director provides the service and regular full quarterly payments thereafter. All annual cash fees are vested upon payment.
| 1. | Annual Board Service Retainer: |
| a. | All Eligible Directors: $45,000 |
| b. | Executive Chair and/or Independent Lead of the Board Service Retainer (in addition to Eligible Director Service Retainer): $35,000 |
| 2. | Annual Committee Chair Service Retainer: |
| a. | Chair of the Audit Committee: $20,000 |
| b. | Chair of the Compensation Committee: $15,000 |
| c. | Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $10,000 |
| 3. | Annual Committee Member Service Retainer (not applicable to Committee Chairs): |
| a. | Member of the Audit Committee: $7,500 |
| b. | Member of the Compensation Committee: $5,000 |
| c. | Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $4,000 |
Expenses
The Company will reimburse Eligible Directors for ordinary, necessary and reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses to cover in-person attendance at and participation in Board and committee meetings; provided, that the Eligible Director timely submit to the Company appropriate documentation substantiating such expenses in accordance with the Company’s travel and expense policy, as in effect from time to time.
Equity Compensation
The equity compensation set forth below will be granted under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), subject to the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders. All stock options granted under this policy will be nonstatutory stock options, with an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant, and a term of ten years from the date of grant (subject to earlier termination in connection with a termination of service as provided in the Plan).
1. Initial Grants: For each Eligible Director who is first elected or appointed to the Board following the Effective Date, on the date of such Eligible Director’s initial election or appointment to the Board (or, if such date is not a market trading day, the first market trading day thereafter), the Eligible Director will be automatically, and without further action by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, granted a stock option to purchase shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Black-Scholes grant date value of $600,000 (the “Initial Grant”). The shares subject to each Initial Grant will vest over a three-year period, with one-third of the shares subject to the Initial Grant vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and 1/36th of the shares subject to the Initial Grant vesting in equal monthly installments thereafter, such that the option is fully vested on the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the Eligible Director’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) through each such vesting date, and will vest in full upon a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), subject to the Eligible Director’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) through such date.
2. Annual Grants: On the date of each annual stockholder meeting of the Company held after the Effective Date, each Eligible Director who continues to serve as a non-employee member of the Board following such stockholder meeting (excluding any Eligible Director who is first appointed or elected by the Board at such meeting) will be automatically, and without further action by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, granted a stock option to purchase shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Black-Scholes grant date fair value of $300,000 (the “Annual Grant”). The shares subject to the Annual Grant will vest in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the Eligible Director’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) through each such vesting date; provided, that the Annual Grant will in any case be fully vested on the date of Company’s next annual stockholder meeting, subject to the Eligible Director’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) through such vesting date; provided, further, that the Annual Grant will vest in full upon a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), subject to the Eligible Director’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) through such date. With respect to an Eligible Director who, following the Effective Date, was first elected or appointed to the Board on a date other than the date of the Company’s annual stockholder meeting, upon the Company’s first annual stockholder meeting following such Eligible Director’s first joining the Board, such Eligible Director’s first Annual Grant will be pro-rated to reflect the time between such Eligible Director’s election or appointment date and the date of such first annual stockholder meeting.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director (as defined in the Plan) shall in no event exceed the limits set forth in Section 3(d) of the Plan.