Valion Bio, Inc S-3, filed Oct 8, 2026
Valion Bio, Inc. (VBIO)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Dean Zikria
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Valion Bio, Inc.
1305 E. Houston Street, Building 1, Suite 311
San Antonio, TX 78205
(888) 276-6888
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Christopher L. Tinen, Esq.
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 500
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 910-4809
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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 registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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 | ☐ |
| ☒ | 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.
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 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement contains two prospectuses:
| · | a base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to $100,000,000 of shares of our common stock or preferred stock; debt securities; warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; and/or units consisting of some or all of these securities, in any combination; and |
| · | a sales agreement prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of up to $5,000,000 of our common stock that may be issued and sold under the At The Market Offering Agreement with Rodman & Renshaw LLC, subject to the limitations set forth in General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3. |
The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus other than the shares under the sales agreement will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus. The specific terms of the securities to be issued and sold under the sales agreement are specified in the sales agreement prospectus that immediately follows the base prospectus. The up to $5,000,000 of common stock that may be offered, issued and sold under the sales agreement prospectus is included in the $100,000,000 of securities that may be offered, issued and sold by us under the base prospectus.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission declares our registration statement effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 7, 2026
PROSPECTUS
$100,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Units
From time to time, we may offer up to $100,000,000 aggregate dollar amount of shares of our common stock or preferred stock; debt securities; warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; and/or units consisting of some or all of these securities, in any combination, together or separately, in one or more offerings, in amounts, at prices and on the terms that we will determine at the time of the offering and which will be set forth in a prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus.
This prospectus describes the general manner in which those securities may be offered using this prospectus. Each time we offer securities, we will specify in an accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus the terms of securities offered and the offering thereof and may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
As of October 7, 2026, the aggregate market value of our outstanding shares of common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $15,085,817, which was calculated based on 1,946,557 shares of outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, and a price per share of $7.75, the closing price of our common stock on August 11, 2026, which is the highest closing sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market within the prior 60 days of this prospectus. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities pursuant to this registration statement with a value more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period, so long as the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $75.0 million. In the event that subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $75.0 million, then the one-third limitation on sales shall not apply to additional sales made pursuant to this registration statement. We have not sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to, and including, the date of this registration statement.
You should read this prospectus, the information incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus, and any applicable prospectus supplement and related free writing prospectus carefully before you invest.
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “VBIO.” On October 5, 2026, the last reported sales price for our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $2.48 per share. None of the other securities we may offer are currently traded on any securities exchange. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any securities market or exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 8 of this prospectus, as well as the risk factors included in the applicable prospectus supplement and certain of our periodic reports and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, before investing in our securities.
The securities described in this prospectus may be sold to or through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters or agents and any applicable fees, discounts or commissions and details regarding over-allotment options, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2026.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, from time to time, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to an aggregate dollar amount of $100,000,000, subject to any applicable limits prescribed by General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration process, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. We have provided to you in this prospectus a general description of the securities we may offer.
We may also add, update or change in a prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in such prospectus supplement; provided that, if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the next heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. No dealer, salesperson or any other person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than the information and representations contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. If different information is given or different representations are made, you may not rely on that information or those representations as having been authorized by us. You may not imply from the delivery of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, nor from a sale made under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, that our affairs are unchanged since the date of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or any sale of a security. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement may only be used where it is legal to sell the securities.
In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Valion,” “Valion Bio,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Valion Bio, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Valion Bio, Inc., the Valion logo and other trademarks or service marks of Valion appearing in this prospectus are the property of Valion Bio, Inc. This prospectus also includes trademarks, tradenames and service marks that are the property of other organizations. Solely for convenience, trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus appear without the ® and ™ symbols, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or that the applicable owner will not assert its rights, to these trademarks and tradenames.
On August 31, 2026, the Company implemented a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-25. As a result of the reverse stock split, the total number of shares of common stock held by each stockholder of the Company were converted automatically into the number of shares of common stock equal to the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock held by each such stockholder immediately prior to the reverse stock split divided by 25. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split, and any fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. Also, all options, warrants, preferred stock and other convertible securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the reverse stock split were adjusted in accordance with the terms of the plans, agreements or arrangements governing such options, warrants and other convertible securities. There was no change to the par value, or authorized shares, of either the common stock or preferred stock, as a result of the reverse stock split. Unless otherwise indicated, all share and per share information in this prospectus is adjusted to reflect the effect of the reverse stock split. However, our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed on March 30, 2026, and all other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus that were filed prior to August 31, 2026, do not give effect to the reverse stock split.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary does not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. You should read the entire prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus carefully, including “Risk Factors” and the financial data and related notes and other information incorporated by reference, before making an investment decision.
Business Overview
Valion Bio, Inc. (formerly known as Tivic Health Systems, Inc.) (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “Valion,” or “Valion Bio”) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company whose lead program is Entolimod. Entolimod is a recombinant Toll-like Receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist with an extensive preclinical and clinical data package supporting development as a medical countermeasure (MCM) for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) and its subsyndromes, as well as for adjunct therapy for oncology indications, such as neutropenia.
During fiscal year 2025, Valion executed a deliberate and material strategic transformation: pivoting from a diversified bioelectronic medical device company to a focused biopharmaceutical company built around the TLR5 agonist franchise. In addition to securing worldwide exclusive license rights and options to Entolimod and its second-generation compound, Entolasta, in February 2025, Valion established Velocity Bioworks in December 2025 as a subsidiary contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that is expected to support both Valion and select third-party customers. At the same time, Valion exited the consumer healthtech business and suspended its prescription bioelectronic product development efforts in order to focus resources fully on Entolimod development.
The Company is now focused on (1) advancing Entolimod and its next generation compound Entolasta through regulatory approval for acute radiation syndrome and into government procurement and (2) expanding Entolimod’s designations into oncology-related conditions, including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and general and specific mucositis.
Strategic Acquisition and the Biologics Program
A cornerstone of this transition was the execution of an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Statera Biopharma, Inc. This agreement added Entolimod, a late-stage TLR5 agonist, to our clinical pipeline. We further expanded this portfolio by exercising our option for an exclusive license to the neutropenia indication for both Entolimod and our second-generation, immune-optimized candidate, Entolasta.
These assets represent a high-value investment opportunity, having been the subject of over 40 clinical and preclinical trials supported by $140 million in prior capital, including $35.6 million in non-dilutive funding from the Department of Defense (DoD), DTRA, NASA, and the NIH. The FDA has recognized the clinical importance of Entolimod by granting it Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for the prevention and treatment of ARS.
Regulatory Pathway and Clinical Objectives
Our immediate operational priority is the validation of the manufacturing process required for the submission of a Biologics License Application (“BLA”) to the FDA. While the BLA is our primary domestic objective, we are also exploring opportunities for the emergency use of Entolimod in select international markets prior to formal U.S. commercialization.
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Beyond ARS, we are leveraging our active IND application to initiate Phase 2 clinical studies targeting neutropenia and other oncology-related indications. Entolimod’s mechanism of action—activating the NF-κB pathway upstream of G-CSF—offers distinct therapeutic advantages. Clinical data (Krivokrysenko, et al., PLOS One, 2015) demonstrates that Entolimod not only stimulates hematopoiesis but also reduces apoptosis and accelerates tissue regeneration in the gastrointestinal tract. We believe these anti-apoptotic and prophylactic properties position our TLR5 agonists as compelling alternatives or adjunctive therapies to currently marketed G-CSF treatments.
Launch of Velocity Bioworks (CDMO)
In December 2025, the Company launched Velocity Bioworks, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary operating as a CDMO. Velocity serves a dual strategic purpose: it de-risks our Entolimod commercialization plan by providing internal control over the manufacturing and validation timeline, and it creates a new vertical revenue opportunity by offering specialized services to external partners.
Velocity offers biomanufacturing development work, analytic support, and CGMP manufacturing capability. While we are in the early stages of market entry, this integrated model is designed to drive operational efficiencies and provide a path toward diversified profitability.
Reverse Stock Split
On August 31, 2026, the Company implemented a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-25. As a result of the reverse stock split, the total number of shares of common stock held by each stockholder of the Company were converted automatically into the number of shares of common stock equal to the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock held by each such stockholder immediately prior to the reverse stock split divided by 25. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split, and any fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. Also, all options, warrants, preferred stock and other convertible securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the reverse stock split were adjusted in accordance with the terms of the plans, agreements or arrangements governing such options, warrants and other convertible securities. There was no change to the par value, or authorized shares, of either the common stock or preferred stock, as a result of the reverse stock split. Unless otherwise indicated, all share and per share information in this prospectus is adjusted to reflect the effect of the reverse stock split. However, our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed on March 30, 2026, and all other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus that were filed prior to August 31, 2026, do not give effect to the reverse stock split.
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Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As a result:
| · | we are required to have only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation in this prospectus; | |
| · | we are not required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis) compliance with new or revised accounting standards until they are made applicable to private companies; | |
| · | we are not required to engage an auditor to provide an attestation to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; | |
| · | we are not required to comply with certain disclosure requirements related to executive compensation, such as the requirement to disclose the correlation between executive compensation and performance and the requirement to present a comparison of our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation to our median employee compensation; and | |
| · | we are not required to submit certain executive compensation matters to stockholder advisory votes, such as “say on pay,” “say on frequency” and “say on golden parachute arrangements.” |
We may take advantage of these reduced reporting and other requirements until the earlier of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of our first sale of common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); (ii) the last day of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion; (iii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such fiscal year; or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
We have elected to take advantage of certain of the reduced disclosure obligations in this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and we may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements in the future. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than, and not comparable to, information presented by other public reporting companies.
We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Exchange Act and have elected to take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies. We may be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company.
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Corporate Information
The Company was incorporated in California in September 2016 and reincorporated as a Delaware corporation in June 2021. Our principal executive offices are located at 1305 E. Houston St., Building 1, Suite 311, San Antonio, Texas 78205. Our telephone number is (888) 276-6888. Our website address is https://valionbio.com/. Information contained on, or that can be accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
Where You Can Find More Information
For additional information as to our business, properties and financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The Securities We May Offer
With this prospectus, we may offer common stock; preferred stock; debt securities; warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; and/or units consisting of some or all of these securities in any combination. The aggregate offering price of securities that we offer with this prospectus will not exceed $100,000,000, subject to any applicable limits prescribed by General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| · | designation or classification; | |
| · | aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price; | |
| · | maturity, if applicable; | |
| · | original issue discount, if any; | |
| · | rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any; | |
| · | redemption, conversion, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any; | |
| · | conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates, and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange; | |
| · | ranking; | |
| · | restrictive covenants, if any; and | |
| · | voting or other rights, if any. |
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A prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We may sell the securities registered hereunder on a continuous or delayed basis to or through underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement, which we will provide to you each time we offer such securities registered hereunder, will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of such securities, and any applicable fee, commission, or discount arrangements with them.
The following is a summary of the securities we may offer with this prospectus.
Common Stock
We may offer shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, including securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of common stock.
Preferred Stock
We may offer shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in one or more series. Our board of directors or a committee designated by the board will determine the dividend, voting, conversion and other rights of the series of shares of preferred stock being offered. Each series of preferred stock will be more fully described in the particular prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus, including redemption provisions, rights in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or the winding up, voting rights and rights to convert into common stock.
Debt Securities
We may offer debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The debt securities may be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between our Company and a trustee for the holders of the debt securities, or may be issued without the use of an indenture. If debt securities are issued without the use of an indenture, all the terms of such debt security shall be included in the form of such debt security. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities under “Description of Debt Securities.” We urge you, however, to read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures, if any, or the forms of such debt securities, as applicable, that contain the terms of the debt securities. A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and/or forms of debt securities containing the terms of debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or incorporated by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.
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Warrants
We may offer warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock or preferred stock, or debt securities, from time to time. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, subscription rights, or units, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. Our board of directors will determine the terms of the warrants.
The warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates and may be issued under one or more warrant indentures, which are contracts between our Company and a warrant trustee for the holders of the warrants. We may also choose to act as our own warrant trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants under “Description of Warrants.” We urge you, however, to read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of warrants being offered, as well as the warrant certificates and, if applicable, the warrant indentures, that contain the terms of the warrants. Specific warrant certificates and, if applicable, warrant indentures, will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or incorporated by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.
Subscription Rights
We may offer subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, or units. We may issue subscription rights independently or together with other securities. Our board of directors will determine the terms of the subscription rights. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the subscription rights under “Description of Subscription Rights.” We urge you, however, to read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the subscription rights being offered. We may evidence each series of subscription rights by a separate rights agreement to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any rights agreement that describe the terms of the series of subscription rights we are offering before the issuance of the related series of such subscription rights.
Units
We may offer units consisting of some or all of the securities described above, in any combination, including common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, and/or subscription rights. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the units under “Description of Units.” We urge you, however, to read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of units being offered. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate unit agreement with a unit agent. We may also choose to act as our own unit agent. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any unit agreements that describe the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in the securities offered. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the heading “Risk Factors,” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or our Current Reports on Form 8-K that we have filed with the SEC, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and documents incorporated herein by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, costs and expenses, interest rates, outcome of contingencies, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, cost savings, objectives of management, business strategies, debt financing, clinical trial timing and plans, the achievement of clinical and commercial milestones, the advancement of our technologies and our product candidates, and other statements that are not historical facts. You can find many of these statements by looking for words like “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “project,” “seek” or similar expressions in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby.
These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from current expectations and projections. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in the heading “Risk Factors,” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or our Current Reports on Form 8-K that we have filed with the SEC, as well as those discussed in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of documents referred to or incorporated by reference, the date of those documents.
All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable U.S. securities law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and are required to file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and various other information about us. You may also inspect the documents described herein at our headquarters, 1305 E. Houston St., Building 1, Suite 311, San Antonio, Texas 78205, during normal business hours.
Information about us is also available at our website at https://valionbio.com/. However, the information on our website is not a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those other documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of any offering of securities made by this prospectus:
| · | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2026; | |
| · | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2026; | |
| · | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2026; | |
| · | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K or Form 8-K/A, as applicable, filed on February 9, 2026, February 23, 2026, March 4, 2026, March 11, 2026, March 13, 2026, March 20, 2026, April 23, 2026, May 4, 2026, June 3, 2026, June 18, 2026, August 6, 2026, August 17, 2026, August 20, 2026, August 27, 2026, September 1, 2026, September 23, 2026, October 1, 2026 and October 6, 2026; | |
| · | The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-41052), filed with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on November 10, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description, and Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022; and | |
| · | Filings we make with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement. |
Upon written or oral request, we will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of such information that has been incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates). Written or oral requests for copies should be directed to Valion Bio, Inc., Attn: President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 1305 E. Houston St., Building 1, Suite 311, San Antonio, Texas 78205, telephone number is (888) 276-6888. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” for information concerning how to read and obtain copies of materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public offices.
Any statement contained in this prospectus, or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated by reference, shall be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not, except as so modified or superseded, constitute a part of this prospectus.
Under no circumstances will any information filed under current items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds to us from the sale of our securities under this prospectus. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include funding research and development, increasing our working capital and acquisitions or investments in businesses, products or technologies that are complementary to our own. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term or long-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them, and may also sell the securities to investors directly or through agents. We will name any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We have reserved the right to sell or exchange securities directly to investors on our own behalf in jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so. We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions:
| · | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; | |
| · | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; | |
| · | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or | |
| · | at negotiated prices. |
We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus. We may also designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. We will name in a prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis, and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal for resale at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.
If we utilize an underwriter in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement any compensation we pay to underwriters, dealers, or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to reimburse them for certain expenses. We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of our securities under this prospectus an option to purchase additional securities to cover any over-allotments in connection with the distribution.
The securities we offer under this prospectus may or may not be listed through The Nasdaq Capital Market or any other securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include short sales of the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their option to purchase additional securities. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
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We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and they may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in these sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. The financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
We will file a prospectus supplement to describe the terms of any offering of our securities covered by this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will disclose:
| · | the terms of the offer; | |
| · | the names of any underwriters, including any managing underwriters, as well as any dealers or agents; | |
| · | the purchase price of the securities from us; | |
| · | the net proceeds to us from the sale of the securities; | |
| · | any delayed delivery arrangements; | |
| · | any underwriting discounts, commissions or other items constituting underwriters’ compensation, and any commissions paid to agents; | |
| · | in a subscription rights offering, whether we have engaged dealer-managers to facilitate the offering or subscription, including their name or names and compensation; | |
| · | any public offering price; and | |
| · | other facts material to the transaction. |
We will bear all or substantially all of the costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of our securities under this prospectus. The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Description of Capital Stock
The following description of our capital stock is a summary. The following description of our securities is not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our securities. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the complete text of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (“Charter”), and amended and restated bylaws (“Bylaws”), as are each included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and are incorporated by reference herein.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 210,000,000 shares, all with a $0.0001 par value of per share, of which:
| · | 200,000,000 shares are designated as common stock; and | |
| · | 10,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock. |
As of October 5, 2026, there were 1,947,783 shares of our common stock outstanding and held of record by 95 stockholders.
Common Stock
Voting Rights
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record for the election of our directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action, except with respect to amendments to our Charter to alter or change the powers, preferences, rights or other terms of any outstanding preferred stock if the holders of such affected series of preferred stock are entitled to vote on such an amendment. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. In the case of election of directors, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders must be approved by a plurality of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of common stock. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they so choose, other than any directors that holders of any preferred stock we may issue may be entitled to elect. Except as otherwise provided by our Charter, Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Company, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Company or its securities, all other matters presented to our stockholders at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter.
Dividends
Dividends may be declared and paid on shares of our common stock as and when determined by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend or other rights of any then outstanding preferred stock and to the requirements of applicable law. Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share equally, identically and ratably in any dividends that our board of directors may determine to issue from time to time.
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Liquidation Rights
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, holders of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are legally available for distribution to stockholders after payment of our debts and other liabilities. If we have any preferred stock outstanding at such time, holders of the preferred stock may be entitled to distribution and/or liquidation preferences. In either such case, we must pay the applicable distribution to the holders of our preferred stock before we may pay distributions to the holders of our common stock.
Other Rights
Our stockholders have no preemptive, conversion or other rights to subscribe for additional shares, and there are no redemption or sinking funds provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our Charter, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the dividend, voting and other rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control and may adversely affect the market price of the common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock.
As of October 5, 2026, there were 1,288 shares of the Company’s Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”), issued and outstanding, 2,827 shares of the Company’s Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series B Preferred Stock”), issued and outstanding, and 9,215 shares of the Company’s Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series C Preferred Stock”), issued and outstanding.
Series A Preferred Stock
On February 10, 2025, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, pursuant to which 6,000 shares of the Company’s authorized shares of preferred stock were designated as Series A Preferred Stock. A summary of the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions applicable to the Series A Preferred Stock is set forth below.
Ranking - the Series A Preferred Stock ranks on parity with the Company’s common stock and junior to the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company.
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Dividend Rights - to the extent that dividends are paid to holders of the Company’s common stock, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to participate in such dividends on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis, without regard to the Series A Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below).
Voting Rights - except as otherwise provided by the Series A Certificate of Designation or required by law, the Series A Preferred Stock has no voting rights. Provided, however, that so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series A Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Series A Preferred Certificate of Designation, amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, the Company’s Charter or Bylaws, or file any articles of amendment, certificate of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of preferred stock, in each case if any such action would adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series A Preferred Stock, regardless of whether any of the foregoing actions shall be by means of amendment to the Charter or by merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, conversion or otherwise, (ii) issue further shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Conversion - subject to the Series A Beneficial Ownership Limitation, each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into approximately 24 shares of Company common stock (the “Series A Conversion Ratio”), as follows:
| · | Automatic Conversion - effective as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the third business day after the date that the Company’s stockholders approve the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into shares of common stock in accordance with the listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Stockholder Approval”), each share of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall automatically convert into a number of shares of common stock equal to the Series A Conversion Ratio, subject to the Series A Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The Company received Stockholder Approval at its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on June 30, 2025. As a result, on July 3, 2025, 88 shares of Series A Preferred Stock automatically converted into 2,060 shares of Company common stock. | |
| · | Optional Conversion - subject to the Series A Beneficial Ownership Limitation and the automatic conversion (discussed above), each share of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time following 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the third business day after the date that the Stockholder Approval is obtained by the Company, at the option of the holder thereof, into a number of shares of common stock equal to the Series A Conversion Ratio. |
Beneficial Ownership Limitation - a holder of Series A Preferred Stock is prohibited from converting shares of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, such holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of the applicable beneficial ownership limitation (the “Series A Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). For purposes of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series A Beneficial Ownership Limitation shall initially be set at 9.9% for each holder and its affiliates and may be adjusted at the discretion of the holder to a percentage between 4.9% and 19.9% (but not to exceed 19.9%) of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to such conversion.
Redemption Rights - shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not redeemable.
Liquidation Rights - in the event of liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall rank on parity with common stockholders as to the distributions of assets.
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Series B Preferred Stock
On April 29, 2025, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with a tranched financing. The Series B Certificate of Designation became effective upon filing and designates 8,400 shares of the Company’s preferred stock as Series B Preferred Stock.
Ranking - the Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock and Series A Preferred Stock, and junior to the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company.
Dividend Rights - the holders of outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to cumulative dividends at an annual rate of 10% of the Stated Value (as defined below) per share. Dividends shall accrue from the date of each such tranche closing, and for as long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain issued and outstanding and are payable quarterly in arrears. At the Company’s option, dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock may be paid in (i) cash, (ii) by adding the amount of dividends payable on such date to the aggregate Stated Value of such holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock (“PIK Dividends”), or (iii) any combination of cash and PIK Dividends. The “Stated Value” shall mean $1,000 per share, subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividend (including PIK Dividends), stock split, combination, recapitalization, or other similar event affecting such shares.
Voting Rights - except as otherwise provided by the Series B Certificate of Designation or required by law, the Series B Preferred Stock has no voting rights. Provided, however, that so long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series B Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Series B Certificate of Designation, amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, the Company’s Charter or Bylaws, or file any articles of amendment, certificate of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of preferred stock, in each case if any such action would adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series B Preferred Stock, (ii) issue further shares of Series B Preferred Stock, or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Conversion - subject to the Series B Beneficial Ownership Limitation, at any time, each holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to convert any or all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Company common stock. The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Stated Value of such share of Series B Preferred Stock plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon by (ii) the Series B Conversion Price in effect on the date of conversion. The conversion price (the “Series B Conversion Price”) in effect on any conversion date shall be equal to 90% of the lowest closing volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the conversion notice delivered by the holder, subject to adjustment, provided, however, that in no event shall the Series B Conversion Price be lower than $32.35 per share (the “Floor Price”), subject to adjustment. On December 9, 2025, the Company agreed to take all necessary action to lower the applicable Floor Price to $9.75 per share, and, in connection therewith, the Company held a meeting of its stockholders to seek approval of a proposal to waive the 19.99% exchange cap in connection with such amendment, which such proposal was approved by the Company’s stockholders at its annual meeting on May 28, 2026.
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Beneficial Ownership Limitation - a holder of Series B Preferred Stock is prohibited from converting shares of Series B Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, such holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of the applicable beneficial ownership limitation (the “Series B Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). For purposes of the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series B Beneficial Ownership Limitation shall initially be set at 4.9% for each holder and its affiliates and may be adjusted at the discretion of the holder to a percentage between 4.9% and 19.9% (but not to exceed 19.9%) of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to such conversion.
Redemption Rights - the Company may, at any time and in its sole discretion, request to redeem all or any portion of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price equal to 115% of the Stated Value plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon by providing the holder at least ten days prior written notice, during which ten day period the holder thereof shall have the right to convert such holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock into shares of Company common stock. Upon the closing of any equity or equity linked financing by the Company after the issuance date, the holder shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Company to redeem, out of the proceeds of such financing, up to 25% of the aggregate amount of net proceeds raised in the financing, outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a per share price equal to the Stated Value, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, provided that such right shall expire five days after the holder receives notice from the Company of the consummation of a financing.
Liquidation Rights - in the event of the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets, funds, or proceeds available for distribution of the Company to the holders of common stock or any other class or series of capital stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock upon liquidation, by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to the greater of (i) the Stated Value plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon or (ii) the amount that such holder would receive if such holder converted all of its shares of Series B Preferred Stock into common stock immediately prior to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Series C Preferred Stock
On December 9, 2025, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Series C Certificate of Designation became effective upon filing and designates 75,000 shares of the Company’s preferred stock as Series C Preferred Stock.
Ranking - the Series C Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company.
Dividend Rights - the holders of outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to cumulative dividends at an annual rate of 6% of the Stated Value (as defined below) per share. Dividends shall accrue from the date of each such tranche closing, and for as long as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock remain issued and outstanding and are payable quarterly in arrears. At the Company’s option, dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock may be paid in (i) cash, (ii) by adding the amount of dividends payable on such date to the aggregate Stated Value of such holder’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock (“PIK Dividends”), or (iii) any combination of cash and PIK Dividends. The “Stated Value” shall mean $1,080 per share, subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividend (including PIK Dividends), stock split, combination, recapitalization, or other similar event affecting such shares.
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Voting Rights - except as otherwise provided by the Series C Certificate of Designation or required by law, the Series C Preferred Stock has no voting rights. Provided, however, that so long as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series C Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Series C Certificate of Designation, amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, the Company’s Charter or Bylaws, or file any articles of amendment, certificate of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of preferred stock, in each case if any such action would adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series C Preferred Stock, (ii) issue further shares of Series C Preferred Stock, or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Conversion - subject to the Series C Beneficial Ownership Limitation, at any time, each holder of Series C Preferred Stock shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to convert any or all of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Company common stock. The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of each share of Series C Preferred Stock shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Stated Value of such share of Series C Preferred Stock plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon by (ii) the Series C Conversion Price in effect on the date of conversion. The conversion price (the “Series C Conversion Price”) in effect on any conversion date shall be equal to 93% of the lowest closing volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the conversion notice delivered by the holder, subject to adjustment, provided, however, that in no event shall the Series C Conversion Price be lower than $9.75 per share, subject to adjustment.
Beneficial Ownership Limitation - a holder of Series C Preferred Stock is prohibited from converting shares of Series C Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, such holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of the applicable beneficial ownership limitation (the “Series C Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). For purposes of the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series C Beneficial Ownership Limitation shall initially be set at 4.9% for each holder and its affiliates and may be adjusted at the discretion of the holder to a percentage between 4.9% and 19.9% (but not to exceed 19.9%) of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to such conversion.
Redemption Rights - the Company may, at any time and in its sole discretion, request to redeem all or any portion of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock at a price equal to 115% of the Stated Value plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon by providing the holder at least ten days prior written notice, during which ten day period the holder thereof shall have the right to convert such holder’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock into shares of Company common stock. Upon the closing of any equity or equity linked financing by the Company after the issuance date, the holder shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Company to redeem, out of the proceeds of such financing, up to 36% of the aggregate amount of net proceeds raised in the financing, outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock at a per share price equal to the Stated Value, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, provided that such right shall expire five days after the holder receives notice from the Company of the consummation of a financing.
Liquidation Rights - in the event of the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets, funds, or proceeds available for distribution of the Company to the holders of common stock or any other class or series of capital stock ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock upon liquidation, by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to the greater of (i) the Stated Value plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon or (ii) the amount that such holder would receive if such holder converted all of its shares of Series C Preferred Stock into common stock immediately prior to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
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Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Charter and Bylaws
Some provisions of Delaware law, our Charter and our Bylaws contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: an acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; an acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or the removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions which provide for payment of a premium over the market price for our shares.
These provisions, summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of the increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Classified Board of Directors
Our board of directors is divided into three classes serving three-year terms, with one class being elected each year by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election.
Removal of Directors
Our Bylaws provide that, subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series of preferred stock, no member of our board of directors may be removed from office by our stockholders except for cause.
Stockholders Not Entitled to Cumulative Voting
Our Charter does not permit stockholders to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they choose, other than any directors that holders of our preferred stock may be entitled to elect.
Board Vacancies
Our Bylaws generally provide that only our board of directors (and not the stockholders) may fill vacancies and newly created directorships.
While the foregoing provisions of our Charter, Bylaws and Delaware law may have an anti-takeover effect, these provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by our board of directors, and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. In that regard, these provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management.
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Proposals of Business and Nominations
Our Bylaws generally regulate proposals of business and nominations for election of directors by stockholders. In general, Section 2.5 requires stockholders intending to submit proposals or nominations at a stockholders meeting to provide the Company with advance notice thereof, including information regarding the stockholder proposing the business or nomination as well as information regarding the proposed business or nominee. Sections 2.4 and 2.5 provide a time period during which business or nominations must be provided to the Company that will create a predictable window for the submission of such notices, eliminating the risk that the Company finds a meeting will be contested after printing its proxy materials for an uncontested election and providing the Company with a reasonable opportunity to respond to nominations and proposals by stockholders.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the right to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the designations, rights, preferences of such preferred stock without stockholder approval.
Stockholder Meetings
Our Bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, chief executive officer or president, or by a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors, but such not by any other person or persons (including our stockholders).
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“Section 203”) regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging, under certain circumstances, in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder unless:
| · | prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; | |
| · | upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, (i) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or | |
| · | at or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
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Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset, stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock. We expect the existence of Section 203 to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions our board of directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that Section 203 may discourage business combinations or other attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.
Choice of Forum
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative form, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) will be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company to the Company or our stockholders, creditors or other constituents; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Charter or our Bylaws; (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our Charter or Bylaws; or (v) any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided that, the exclusive forum provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; and provided further that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, or the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, such action may be brought in another state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware. Our Charter and Bylaws also provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action against us or any of our directors, officers, employees or agents and arising under the Securities Act or Exchange Act. Nothing in our Charter and Bylaws preclude stockholders that assert claims under the Exchange Act from bringing such claims in state or federal court, subject to applicable law. Our Charter also provides that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this choice of forum provision. It is possible that a court of law could rule that the choice of forum provision contained in our Charter is inapplicable or unenforceable if it is challenged in a proceeding or otherwise.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Odyssey Transfer and Trust Company. The transfer agent’s address is 860 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 320, Eagan, MN 55121.
Trading Symbol and Market
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “VBIO.”
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities in one or more series under an indenture, to be entered into between us and a third party trustee, or may be issued without the use of an indenture. If such debt securities are issued with the use of an indenture, the indenture will be subject to and governed by the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). A copy of the form of the indenture will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities and is not intended to be complete. For a more complete description, prospective investors should refer to the indenture and/or the terms of the debt securities, as applicable. If debt securities are issued without the use of an indenture, all the terms of such debt security shall be included in the form of such debt security. If debt securities are issued, whether pursuant to an indenture or without an indenture, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the particular terms and provisions of any series of debt securities and a description of how the general terms and provisions described below may apply to that series of debt securities. Prospective investors should rely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement and not on the following information to the extent that the information in such prospectus supplement is different from the following information. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any supplemental indenture describing the terms and conditions of debt securities we are offering before the issuance of such debt securities.
We may issue debt securities and incur additional indebtedness other than through the offering of debt securities pursuant to this prospectus.
If we issue debt securities pursuant to an indenture, the following provisions shall apply unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to such issuance of debt securities:
General
We may offer under this prospectus up to an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 in debt securities, or if debt securities are issued at a discount, or in a foreign currency, foreign currency units or composite currency, the principal amount as may be sold for an aggregate public offering price of up to $100,000,000. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will represent our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness.
We may issue the debt securities in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities in a prospectus supplement relating to that series, which we will file with the SEC. The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:
| · | the title of the series; | |
| · | the aggregate principal amount, and, if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding; | |
| · | the issue price or prices, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; | |
| · | any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
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| · | the date or dates on which principal is payable; | |
| · | the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates; | |
| · | the date or dates from which interest, if any, will be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable; | |
| · | the place or places where principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, is payable; | |
| · | the terms and conditions upon which we may, or the holders may require us to, redeem or repurchase the debt securities; | |
| · | the denominations in which such debt securities may be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of that number; | |
| · | whether the debt securities are to be issuable in the form of certificated securities (as described below) or global securities (as described below); | |
| · | the portion of principal amount that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date if other than the principal amount of the debt securities; | |
| · | the currency of denomination; | |
| · | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest, will be made; | |
| · | if payments of principal and, if applicable, premium or interest, on the debt securities are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than the currency of denomination, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined; | |
| · | if amounts of principal and, if applicable, premium and interest may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index, then the manner in which such amounts will be determined; | |
| · | the provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for such debt securities; | |
| · | any addition to or change in the covenants and/or the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture; | |
| · | any events of default, if not otherwise described below under “Events of Default”; | |
| · | the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion into or exchange for shares of our common stock or preferred stock; | |
| · | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents; and | |
| · | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to our other indebtedness. |
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We may issue discount debt securities that provide for an amount less than the stated principal amount to be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture. We may also issue debt securities in bearer form, with or without coupons. If we issue discount debt securities or debt securities in bearer form, we will describe material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other material special considerations which apply to these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities denominated in or payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units. If we do, we will describe the restrictions, elections, and general tax considerations relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Debt securities offered under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement may be subordinated in right of payment to certain of our outstanding senior indebtedness, including our credit facilities. In addition, we will seek the consent of the holders of any such senior indebtedness, if any, prior to issuing any debt securities under this prospectus to the extent required by the agreements evidencing such senior indebtedness, if any.
Registrar and Paying Agent
The debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange at the corporate trust office of the security registrar or at any other office or agency that we maintain for those purposes. In addition, the debt securities may be presented for payment of principal, interest and any premium at the office of the paying agent or at any office or agency that we maintain for those purposes.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:
| · | the conversion or exchange price; | |
| · | the conversion or exchange period; | |
| · | provisions regarding the convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities, including who may convert or exchange; | |
| · | events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; | |
| · | provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities; and | |
| · | any anti-dilution provisions, if applicable. |
Registered Global Securities
If we decide to issue debt securities in the form of one or more global securities, then we will register the global securities in the name of the depositary for the global securities or the nominee of the depositary, and the global securities will be delivered by the trustee to the depositary for credit to the accounts of the holders of beneficial interests in the debt securities.
The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement for debt securities of a series that are issued in global form. None of us, the trustee, any payment agent or the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.
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No Protection in the Event of Change of Control
The indenture does not have any covenants or other provisions providing for a put or increased interest or otherwise that would afford holders of our debt securities additional protection in the event of a recapitalization transaction, a change of control or a highly leveraged transaction. If we offer any covenants or provisions of this type with respect to any debt securities covered by this prospectus, we will describe them in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Covenants
Unless otherwise indicated in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will not have the benefit of any covenants that limit or restrict our business or operations, the pledging of our assets or the incurrence by us of indebtedness. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material covenants in respect of a series of debt securities.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
The form of indenture provides that we will not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer, sell or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:
| · | the person formed by the consolidation or into or with which we are merged or the person to which our properties and assets are conveyed, transferred, sold or leased, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the U.S., any state or the District of Columbia or a corporation or comparable legal entity organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and, if we are not the surviving person, the surviving person has expressly assumed all of our obligations, including the payment of the principal of and, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and the performance of the other covenants under the indenture; and | |
| · | immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing under the indenture. |
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following events will be events of default under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:
| · | we fail to pay any principal or premium, if any, when it becomes due; | |
| · | we fail to pay any interest within 30 days after it becomes due; | |
| · | we fail to observe or perform any other covenant in the debt securities or the indenture for 60 days after written notice specifying the failure from the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series; and | |
| · | certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or any of our significant subsidiaries. |
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The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any series of any default, except in payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of a series, if the trustee considers it to be in the best interest of the holders of the debt securities of that series to do so.
If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs, and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may accelerate the maturity of the debt securities. If this happens, the entire principal amount, plus the premium, if any, of all the outstanding debt securities of the affected series plus accrued interest to the date of acceleration will be immediately due and payable. At any time after the acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on such acceleration is obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series may rescind and annul such acceleration if:
| · | all events of default (other than nonpayment of accelerated principal, premium or interest) have been cured or waived; | |
| · | all lawful interest on overdue interest and overdue principal has been paid; and | |
| · | the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree. |
In addition, if the acceleration occurs at any time when we have outstanding indebtedness that is senior to the debt securities, the payment of the principal amount of outstanding debt securities may be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of any amounts due under the senior indebtedness, in which case the holders of debt securities will be entitled to payment under the terms prescribed in the instruments evidencing the senior indebtedness and the indenture.
If an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the principal, premium and interest amount with respect to all of the debt securities of any series will be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or the holders of the debt securities of that series.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right to waive any existing default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities of that series and to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain limitations specified in the indenture.
No holder of any debt security of a series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
| · | the holder gives to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default; | |
| · | the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series make a written request and offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute a proceeding as trustee; | |
| · | the trustee fails to institute a proceeding within 60 days after such request; and | |
| · | the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with such request during such 60-day period. |
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These limitations do not, however, apply to a suit instituted for payment on debt securities of any series on or after the due dates expressed in the debt securities.
We will periodically deliver certificates to the trustee regarding our compliance with our obligations under the indenture.
Modification and Waiver
From time to time, we and the trustee may, without the consent of holders of the debt securities of one or more series, amend the indenture or the debt securities of one or more series, or supplement the indenture, for certain specified purposes, including:
| · | to provide that the surviving entity following a change of control permitted under the indenture will assume all of our obligations under the indenture and debt securities; | |
| · | to provide for certificated debt securities in addition to uncertificated debt securities; | |
| · | to comply with any requirements of the SEC under the Trust Indenture Act; | |
| · | to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture; | |
| · | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or make any other change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any holder; and | |
| · | to appoint a successor trustee under the indenture with respect to one or more series. |
From time to time we and the trustee may, with the consent of holders of at least a majority in principal amount of an outstanding series of debt securities, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities series, or waive compliance in a particular instance by us with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities. We may not, however, without the consent of each holder affected by such action, modify or supplement the indenture or the debt securities or waive compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities in order to:
| · | reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement, or waiver to the indenture or such debt security; | |
| · | reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest or reduce the amount of or postpone the date for payment of sinking fund or analogous obligations; | |
| · | reduce the principal of or change the stated maturity of the debt securities; | |
| · | make any debt security payable in money other than that stated in the debt security; | |
| · | change the amount or time of any payment required or reduce the premium payable upon any redemption, or change the time before which no such redemption may be made; |
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| · | waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities or a redemption payment; | |
| · | waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt securities or change any provision with respect to redemption of debt securities; or | |
| · | take any other action otherwise prohibited by the indenture to be taken without the consent of each holder affected by the action. |
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
The indenture permits us, at any time, to elect to discharge our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities by following certain procedures described in the indenture. These procedures will allow us either:
| · | to defease and be discharged from any and all of our obligations with respect to any debt securities except for the following obligations (which discharge is referred to as “legal defeasance”): |
| 1. | to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities; | |
| 2. | to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities; | |
| 3. | to compensate and indemnify the trustee; or | |
| 4. | to maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities and to hold monies for payment in trust; or |
| · | to be released from our obligations with respect to the debt securities under certain covenants contained in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be contained in the applicable supplemental indenture (which release is referred to as “covenant defeasance”). |
In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must deposit with the trustee or other qualifying trustee, in trust for that purpose:
| · | money; | |
| · | U.S. Government Obligations (as described below) or Foreign Government Obligations (as described below) that through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money; or | |
| · | a combination of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Obligations sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent accountants to provide money; |
that, in each case specified above, provides a sufficient amount to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series, on the scheduled due dates or on a selected date of redemption in accordance with the terms of the indenture.
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In addition, defeasance may be effected only if, among other things:
| · | in the case of either legal or covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel, as specified in the indenture, stating that as a result of the defeasance neither the trust nor the trustee will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; | |
| · | in the case of legal defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that, or there has been a change in any applicable federal income tax law with the effect that (and the opinion shall confirm that), the holders of outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes solely as a result of such legal defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner, including as a result of prepayment, and at the same times as would have been the case if legal defeasance had not occurred; | |
| · | in the case of covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if covenant defeasance had not occurred; and | |
| · | certain other conditions described in the indenture are satisfied. |
If we fail to comply with our remaining obligations under the indenture and applicable supplemental indenture after a covenant defeasance of the indenture and applicable supplemental indenture, and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any undefeased event of default, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee could be insufficient to pay amounts due under the debt securities of the affected series at the time of acceleration. We will, however, remain liable in respect of these payments.
The term “U.S. Government Obligations” as used in the above discussion means securities that are direct obligations of or non-callable obligations guaranteed by the United States of America for the payment of which obligation or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.
The term “Foreign Government Obligations” as used in the above discussion means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, (1) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agent or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government, which in either case under clauses (1) or (2), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer.
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Regarding the Trustee
If debt securities are issued under an indenture, we will identify the trustee with respect to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable debt securities. You should note that if the trustee becomes a creditor of ours, the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act limit the rights of the trustee to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates may engage in, and will be permitted to continue to engage in, other transactions with us and our affiliates. If, however, the trustee acquires any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in the exercise of its rights and powers, must use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to that provision, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security.
No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors
Each indenture provides that no incorporator and no past, present or future stockholder, officer or director of our company or any successor corporation in those capacities will have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or such indenture.
Governing Law
The indentures, if any, and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
General
We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our debt securities, preferred stock or common stock and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants. The warrant agent will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. This summary of certain provisions of the warrants is not complete. For the terms of a particular series of warrants, you should refer to the prospectus supplement for that series of warrants and the warrant agreement for that particular series.
Debt Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to purchase debt securities will describe the terms of the debt warrants, including the following:
| · | the title of the debt warrants; | |
| · | the offering price for the debt warrants, if any; | |
| · | the aggregate number of the debt warrants; | |
| · | the designation and terms of the debt securities, including any conversion rights, purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants; | |
| · | if applicable, the date from and after which the debt warrants and any debt securities issued with them will be separately transferable; | |
| · | the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a debt warrant and the exercise price for the warrants, which may be payable in cash, securities or other property; | |
| · | the dates on which the right to exercise the debt warrants will commence and expire; | |
| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time; | |
| · | whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form; | |
| · | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; | |
| · | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; | |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
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| · | the antidilution provisions of the debt warrants, if any; | |
| · | the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the debt warrants; | |
| · | any provisions with respect to the holder’s right to require us to repurchase the debt warrants upon a change in control or similar event; and | |
| · | any additional terms of the debt warrants, including procedures and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise, and settlement of the debt warrants. |
Debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations. Debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payment of principal or any premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise.
Equity Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants to purchase our common stock or preferred stock will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:
| · | the title of the warrants; | |
| · | the offering price for the warrants, if any; | |
| · | the aggregate number of warrants; | |
| · | the designation and terms of the common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants; | |
| · | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security; | |
| · | if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable; | |
| · | the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the exercise price for the warrants; | |
| · | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and expire; | |
| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; | |
| · | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; | |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
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| · | the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any; | |
| · | the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants; | |
| · | any provisions with respect to a holder’s right to require us to repurchase the warrants upon a change in control or similar event; and | |
| · | any additional terms of the warrants, including procedures and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants. |
Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled to:
| · | vote, consent, or receive dividends; | |
| · | receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or | |
| · | exercise any rights as stockholders. |
| 35 |
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
We may issue subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer, if any, will, to the extent applicable, include specific terms relating to the offering, including some or all of the following:
| · | the price, if any, for the subscription rights; | |
| · | the exercise price payable for our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights; | |
| · | the number of subscription rights to be issued to each stockholder; | |
| · | the number and terms of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities which may be purchased per each subscription right; | |
| · | the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable; | |
| · | any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights; | |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire; | |
| · | the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an over-allotment privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and | |
| · | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement which may be entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights. |
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights. We urge you to read the applicable subscription rights certificate and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.
| 36 |
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units consisting of some or all of the securities described above, in any combination, including common stock, preferred stock, warrants and/or debt securities. The terms of these units will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The description of the terms of these units in the related prospectus supplement will not be complete. You should refer to the applicable form of unit and unit agreement for complete information with respect to these units.
LEGAL MATTERS
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., San Diego, California, will issue an opinion about certain legal matters with respect to the securities. Any underwriters or agents will be advised about legal matters relating to any offering by their own counsel.
EXPERTS
Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A., the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company’s financial statements at December 31, 2025 and 2024, and for the years then ended, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern), which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman P.A.’s report, given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
| 37 |
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission declares our registration statement effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 7, 2026
PROSPECTUS
Up to $5,000,000
Common Stock
We have entered into an At The Market Offering Agreement, or the sales agreement, with Rodman & Renshaw LLC, or Rodman & Renshaw, dated October 7, 2026, relating to the sale of shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $5,000,000 from time to time through Rodman & Renshaw, acting as agent or principal.
Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus will be made by any method permitted that is deemed an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or through The Nasdaq Capital Market or any other existing trading market in the United States for our common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, directly to Rodman & Renshaw as principal, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices and/or in any other method permitted by law. If we and Rodman & Renshaw agree on any method of distribution other than sales of shares of our common stock on or through The Nasdaq Capital Market or another existing trading market in the United States at market prices, we will file a further prospectus supplement providing all information about such offering as required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. Under the sales agreement Rodman & Renshaw is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of securities, but Rodman & Renshaw will act as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
Rodman & Renshaw will be entitled to compensation at a commission rate of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the sales agreement. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-16 for additional information regarding the compensation to be paid to Rodman & Renshaw. In connection with the sale of the shares of common stock on our behalf, Rodman & Renshaw will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of Rodman & Renshaw will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Rodman & Renshaw with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
As of October 7, 2026, the aggregate market value of our outstanding shares of common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $15,085,817, which was calculated based on 1,946,557 shares of outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, and a price per share of $7.75, the closing price of our common stock on August 11, 2026, which is the highest closing sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market within the prior 60 days of this prospectus. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities pursuant to this registration statement with a value more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period, so long as the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $75.0 million. In the event that subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $75.0 million, then the one-third limitation on sales shall not apply to additional sales made pursuant to this registration statement. We have not sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to, and including, the date of this registration statement.
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “VBIO.” On October 5, 2026, the last reported sales price for our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $2.48 per share.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus, as well as the risk factors included in the applicable prospectus supplement and certain of our periodic reports and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, before investing in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Rodman & Renshaw LLC
The date of this prospectus is , 2026.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
| Page | |
| ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | S-1 |
| PROSPECTUS SUMMARY | S-2 |
| THE OFFERING | S-5 |
| RISK FACTORS | S-6 |
| FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | S-10 |
| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | S-11 |
| INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE | S-12 |
| USE OF PROCEEDS | S-13 |
| DILUTION | S-14 |
| DIVIDENDS | S-15 |
| PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | S-16 |
| LEGAL MATTERS | S-18 |
| EXPERTS | S-18 |
| S-i |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this prospectus, we may from time to time sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $5,000,000 from time to time, through Rodman & Renshaw acting as our sales agent, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information by Reference” in this prospectus. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
This prospectus describes the specific terms of the common stock we are offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We may also add, update or change in a prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in such prospectus supplement; provided that, if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
We have not, and Rodman & Renshaw has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different than or inconsistent with the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We and Rodman & Renshaw take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not, and Rodman & Renshaw is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of those respective documents or any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you to in the section of this prospectus entitled “Incorporation of Information by Reference.”
We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus and the offering of our common stock in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of our common stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Valion,” “Valion Bio,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Valion Bio, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Valion Bio, Inc., the Valion logo and other trademarks or service marks of Valion appearing in this prospectus are the property of Valion Bio, Inc. This prospectus also includes trademarks, tradenames and service marks that are the property of other organizations. Solely for convenience, trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus appear without the ® and ™ symbols, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or that the applicable owner will not assert its rights, to these trademarks and tradenames.
On August 31, 2026, the Company implemented a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-25. As a result of the reverse stock split, the total number of shares of common stock held by each stockholder of the Company were converted automatically into the number of shares of common stock equal to the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock held by each such stockholder immediately prior to the reverse stock split divided by 25. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split, and any fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. Also, all options, warrants, preferred stock and other convertible securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the reverse stock split were adjusted in accordance with the terms of the plans, agreements or arrangements governing such options, warrants and other convertible securities. There was no change to the par value, or authorized shares, of either the common stock or preferred stock, as a result of the reverse stock split. Unless otherwise indicated, all share and per share information in this prospectus is adjusted to reflect the effect of the reverse stock split. However, our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed on March 30, 2026, and all other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus that were filed prior to August 31, 2026, do not give effect to the reverse stock split.
| S-1 |
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary does not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. You should read the entire prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus carefully, including “Risk Factors” and the financial data and related notes and other information incorporated by reference, before making an investment decision.
Business Overview
Valion Bio, Inc. (formerly known as Tivic Health Systems, Inc.) (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “Valion,” or “Valion Bio”) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company whose lead program is Entolimod. Entolimod is a recombinant Toll-like Receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist with an extensive preclinical and clinical data package supporting development as a medical countermeasure (MCM) for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) and its subsyndromes, as well as for adjunct therapy for oncology indications, such as neutropenia.
During fiscal year 2025, Valion executed a deliberate and material strategic transformation: pivoting from a diversified bioelectronic medical device company to a focused biopharmaceutical company built around the TLR5 agonist franchise. In addition to securing worldwide exclusive license rights and options to Entolimod and its second-generation compound, Entolasta, in February 2025, Valion established Velocity Bioworks in December 2025 as a subsidiary contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that is expected to support both Valion and select third-party customers. At the same time, Valion exited the consumer healthtech business and suspended its prescription bioelectronic product development efforts in order to focus resources fully on Entolimod development.
The Company is now focused on (1) advancing Entolimod and its next generation compound Entolasta through regulatory approval for acute radiation syndrome and into government procurement and (2) expanding Entolimod’s designations into oncology-related conditions, including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and general and specific mucositis.
Strategic Acquisition and the Biologics Program
A cornerstone of this transition was the execution of an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Statera Biopharma, Inc. This agreement added Entolimod™, a late-stage TLR5 agonist, to our clinical pipeline. We further expanded this portfolio by exercising our option for an exclusive license to the neutropenia indication for both Entolimod and our second-generation, immune-optimized candidate, Entolasta.
These assets represent a high-value investment opportunity, having been the subject of over 40 clinical and preclinical trials supported by $140 million in prior capital, including $35.6 million in non-dilutive funding from the Department of Defense (DoD), DTRA, NASA, and the NIH. The FDA has recognized the clinical importance of Entolimod by granting it Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for the prevention and treatment of ARS.
Regulatory Pathway and Clinical Objectives
Our immediate operational priority is the validation of the manufacturing process required for the submission of a Biologics License Application (“BLA”) to the FDA. While the BLA is our primary domestic objective, we are also exploring opportunities for the emergency use of Entolimod in select international markets prior to formal U.S. commercialization.
| S-2 |
Beyond ARS, we are leveraging our active IND application to initiate Phase 2 clinical studies targeting neutropenia and other oncology-related indications. Entolimod’s mechanism of action—activating the NF-κB pathway upstream of G-CSF—offers distinct therapeutic advantages. Clinical data (Krivokrysenko, et al., PLOS One, 2015) demonstrates that Entolimod not only stimulates hematopoiesis but also reduces apoptosis and accelerates tissue regeneration in the gastrointestinal tract. We believe these anti-apoptotic and prophylactic properties position our TLR5 agonists as compelling alternatives or adjunctive therapies to currently marketed G-CSF treatments.
Launch of Velocity Bioworks (CDMO)
In December 2025, the Company launched Velocity Bioworks, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary operating as a CDMO. Velocity serves a dual strategic purpose: it de-risks our Entolimod commercialization plan by providing internal control over the manufacturing and validation timeline, and it creates a new vertical revenue opportunity by offering specialized services to external partners.
Velocity offers biomanufacturing development work, analytic support, and CGMP manufacturing capability. While we are in the early stages of market entry, this integrated model is designed to drive operational efficiencies and provide a path toward diversified profitability.
Reverse Stock Split
On August 31, 2026, the Company implemented a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-25. As a result of the reverse stock split, the total number of shares of common stock held by each stockholder of the Company were converted automatically into the number of shares of common stock equal to the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock held by each such stockholder immediately prior to the reverse stock split divided by 25. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split, and any fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. Also, all options, warrants, preferred stock and other convertible securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the reverse stock split were adjusted in accordance with the terms of the plans, agreements or arrangements governing such options, warrants and other convertible securities. There was no change to the par value, or authorized shares, of either the common stock or preferred stock, as a result of the reverse stock split. Unless otherwise indicated, all share and per share information in this prospectus is adjusted to reflect the effect of the reverse stock split. However, our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed on March 30, 2026, and all other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus that were filed prior to August 31, 2026, do not give effect to the reverse stock split.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As a result:
| · | we are required to have only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation in this prospectus; | |
| · | we are not required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis) compliance with new or revised accounting standards until they are made applicable to private companies; | |
| · | we are not required to engage an auditor to provide an attestation to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; | |
| · | we are not required to comply with certain disclosure requirements related to executive compensation, such as the requirement to disclose the correlation between executive compensation and performance and the requirement to present a comparison of our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation to our median employee compensation; and | |
| · | we are not required to submit certain executive compensation matters to stockholder advisory votes, such as “say on pay,” “say on frequency” and “say on golden parachute arrangements.” |
| S-3 |
We may take advantage of these reduced reporting and other requirements until the earlier of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of our first sale of common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (ii) the last day of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion; (iii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such fiscal year; or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
We have elected to take advantage of certain of the reduced disclosure obligations in this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and we may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements in the future. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than, and not comparable to, information presented by other public reporting companies.
We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Exchange Act and have elected to take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies. We may be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company.
Corporate Information
The Company was incorporated in California in September 2016 and reincorporated as a Delaware corporation in June 2021. Our principal executive offices are located at 1305 E. Houston St., Building 1, Suite 311, San Antonio, Texas 78205. Our telephone number is (888) 276-6888. Our website address is https://valionbio.com/. Information contained on, or that can be accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
Where You Can Find More Information
For additional information as to our business, properties and financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in “Where You Can Find More Information.”
| S-4 |
THE OFFERING
| Common stock offered by us | Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $5,000,000. | |
| Common stock to be outstanding after the offering(1) | Up to 3,963,912 shares, assuming a sales price of $2.48 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on October 5, 2026. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price at which shares may be sold from time to time during this offering. | |
| Manner of offering | “At the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, that may be made from time to time on The Nasdaq Capital Market, the existing trading market for our common stock, through Rodman & Renshaw, as agent or principal. See section titled “Plan of Distribution” on page S-16 of this prospectus. | |
| Use of proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include operating expenses, research and development, and pending and future acquisitions. Please see “Use of Proceeds” on page S-13. | |
| Risk factors | Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should read the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to invest in our common stock. | |
| Nasdaq Capital Market Symbol | VBIO. |
| (1) |
Based on 1,947,783 shares of common stock outstanding as of October 5, 2026, and excludes the following securities as of that date:
· 11,239 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock outstanding, with a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $288.66 per share; · 1,429,591 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $20.54 per share; · 171 shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of outstanding restricted stock units; · 30,303 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of our Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock; · 3,646,667 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of our Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock; · 4,828,540 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of our Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock; and · 64,571 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our amended and restated 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “A&R 2021 Plan”). |
| S-5 |
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as those described under “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our updates to those Risk Factors included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K following the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in all other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before deciding whether to invest in our securities. The occurrence of any of the events or developments described below and in our filings with the SEC could harm our business, financial condition, operating results, and/or growth prospects.
The risks described below and in our filings with the SEC are not the only ones facing us. Our business is also subject to the risks that affect many other companies, such as competition, labor relations, general economic conditions, inflation, supply chain constraints, geopolitical changes, and international operations. We operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of risks, some of which are beyond our control. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business operations and our liquidity. The risks described below and in our filings with the SEC could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements we have made in this prospectus, the information incorporated herein by reference, and those forward-looking statements we may make from time to time. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. This prospectus is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.
Risks Related to the Company
There is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Following this offering, we will still need to raise substantial additional funding, which may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, to be able to continue as a going concern and advance our business plan.
There is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Our existence in our current form is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional capital. Our cash and cash equivalents following this offering will not be sufficient to fund our long-term operations. Raising funds in the current economic environment is challenging and financing may not be available in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms, if at all. The issuance of additional securities, whether equity or debt, or the possibility of such issuance, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. The sale of additional equity or debt securities may dilute the ownership of existing stockholders.
If we are unable to raise adequate funds, we may have to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate some or all of our business plan expenditures, and the failure to procure such required financing could have a material and adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations as well as our ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to continue as a going concern, we might have to liquidate our assets and the values we receive for our assets in liquidation or dissolution could be significantly lower than the values reflected in our financial statements. The inclusion of the going concern explanatory paragraph by our auditors, our lack of cash resources and our potential inability to continue as a going concern may materially adversely affect our business, share price, and our ability to raise new capital or to enter into critical contractual relations with third parties due to concerns about our ability to meet our contractual obligations.
| S-6 |
Following this offering, we will need to obtain additional financing to continue as a going concern and to continue our ongoing development and proposed operations.
Following this offering, we will still require significant additional funds in the future through equity or debt financings, government funding or grants, private capital, royalty agreements, customer payments, or other strategic alliances with third parties, either alone or in combination, to fund our business plan and to complete our initiatives. Our business plan has required and will continue to require substantial capital expenditures. We will require financing to fund our research and development, and initial commercial production activities, including the legal, operational set-up, general and administrative, marketing, employee salaries and other related expenses.
Obtaining additional funding will be subject to various additional factors, including investor acceptance of our business plan, the status of our development program and ongoing results from our biopharmaceutical efforts. If we are not able to secure adequate additional funding when needed, we will need to re-evaluate our operating plan and may be forced to make significant reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, limit, suspend or curtail planned development programs and cease operations entirely. Having insufficient funds may also require us to relinquish rights to assets and technology that we would otherwise prefer to develop ourselves, or on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose. The foregoing actions and circumstances could materially adversely impact our business, liquidity, results of operations and future prospects.
Any such required financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us or at all, and the failure to procure such required financing could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Depending on the type and the terms of any financing we pursue, stockholders’ rights and the value of their investment in our common stock could be reduced. Any additional equity financing will dilute stockholdings, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictions on financing and operating activities. In addition, if we issue secured debt securities, the holders of the debt would have a claim to our assets that would be prior to the rights of stockholders until the debt is paid. Interest on such debt securities would increase costs and negatively impact operating results. If the issuance of new securities results in diminished rights to holders of our common stock, the market price of our common stock could be negatively impacted. Any sale of securities will also need to comply with the applicable rules of the stock exchanges on which our securities are listed or quoted for trading. Further, strategic collaboration or royalty agreements may provide us with non-dilutive or minimally dilutive financing but adversely impact our future results of operations or capital resources. Following this offering, there is no guarantee that we will be able to secure any additional funding or be able to secure funding which will provide us with sufficient funds to meet our objectives, which may adversely affect our business and financial position.
We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will remain high enough for the reverse stock split to have the intended effect of complying with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement.
On August 31, 2026, we implemented a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-25 in order to achieve a sufficient increase in our stock price to enable us to continue to qualify for listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market and to satisfy Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. There can be no assurance that the market price of our common stock following the reverse stock split will remain at the level required for continuing compliance with Nasdaq’s requirement. It is not uncommon for the market price of a company’s common stock to decline in the period following a reverse stock split. If the market price of our common stock declines following the effectuation of the reverse stock split, the percentage decline may be greater than would occur in the absence thereof. In any event, other factors unrelated to the number of shares of our common stock outstanding, such as negative financial or operational results, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and thus jeopardize our ability to meet or maintain Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement and overall continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
| S-7 |
Risks Related to this Offering
We have broad discretion as to the use of proceeds from this offering and may not use the proceeds effectively.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include operating expenses, research and development, and pending and future acquisitions. We have not allocated any specific portion of the net proceeds to any particular purpose, and our management will have the discretion to allocate the proceeds as it determines. We will have significant flexibility and broad discretion in applying the net proceeds of this offering, and we may not apply these proceeds effectively. Our management might not be able to yield a significant return, if any, on any investment of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity to influence our decisions on how to use our net proceeds from this offering.
Resales of our common stock in the public market during this offering by our stockholders may cause the market price of our common stock to fall.
We may issue shares of common stock from time to time in connection with this offering. The issuance from time to time of these new shares of common stock, or our ability to issue new shares of common stock in this offering, could result in resales of our shares of common stock by our current stockholders concerned about the potential dilution of their holdings. In turn, these resales could have the effect of depressing the market price for our common stock.
Purchasers in this offering will likely experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of their investment.
The shares of common stock sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. However, the actual offering price per share of common stock may be substantially higher than the as adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share of common stock. Therefore, if you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay and the net tangible book value (deficit) per share of common stock. Assuming that the sale of an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 of shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed offering price of $2.48 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on October 5, 2026, after deducting sales commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, based on our net tangible book value (deficit) as of June 30, 2026, if you purchase shares of common stock in this offering you will suffer substantial and immediate dilution of $5.88 per share in the net tangible book value (deficit) of the share of common stock, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of June 30, 2026, after giving effect to this offering and the assumed offering price. To the extent that warrants and options are exercised, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, or Series C Preferred Stock is converted and shares held in abeyance are issued, there may be further dilution to new investors. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering.
You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.
To raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional equity securities at prices that may not be the same as the price per share of common stock in this offering. We may sell shares of common stock or other equity securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing common stock or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing shareholders. The price per share of common stock at which we sell additional shares of common stock, or convertible securities or other equity securities, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering.
| S-8 |
Future sales of our common stock in the public market could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We are unable to predict the effect that such sales may have on the prevailing market price of our common stock.
As of October 5, 2026, we had outstanding a total of 1,947,783 shares of common stock. All of our outstanding shares as of such date were eligible for sale in the public market, other than shares and options held by directors, executive officers, and other affiliates that are subject to volume limitations under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, and various vesting agreements.
Future sales also could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline and make it more difficult for investors to sell shares of our common stock.
The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at-the-market” offerings, and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold, and there is no minimum or maximum sales price. Investors may experience a decline in the value of their shares as a result of share sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.
The actual number of shares we will issue under the sales agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.
Subject to certain limitations in the sales agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver sales notices to Rodman & Renshaw at any time throughout the term of the sales agreement. The number of shares that are sold by Rodman & Renshaw after delivering a sales notice will fluctuate based on the market price of the common stock during the sales period and limits we set with Rodman & Renshaw. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate based on the market price of our common stock during the sales period, it is not possible at this stage to predict the number of shares that will be ultimately issued.
| S-9 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and documents incorporated herein by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, costs and expenses, interest rates, outcome of contingencies, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, cost savings, objectives of management, business strategies, debt financing, clinical trial timing and plans, the achievement of clinical and commercial milestones, the advancement of our technologies and our product candidates, and other statements that are not historical facts. You can find many of these statements by looking for words like “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “project,” “seek” or similar expressions in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby.
These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from current expectations and projections. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in the heading “Risk Factors,” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or our Current Reports on Form 8-K that we have filed with the SEC, as well as those discussed in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of documents referred to or incorporated by reference, the date of those documents.
All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable U.S. securities law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
| S-10 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and are required to file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and various other information about us. You may also inspect the documents described herein at our headquarters, 1305 E. Houston St., Building 1, Suite 311, San Antonio, Texas 78205, during normal business hours.
Information about us is also available at our website at https://valionbio.com/. However, the information on our website is not a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
| S-11 |
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those other documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of any offering of securities made by this prospectus:
| · | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2026; | |
| · | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2026; | |
| · | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2026; | |
| · | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K or Form 8-K/A, as applicable, filed on February 9, 2026, February 23, 2026, March 4, 2026, March 11, 2026, March 13, 2026, March 20, 2026, April 23, 2026, May 4, 2026, June 3, 2026, June 18, 2026, August 6, 2026, August 17, 2026, August 20, 2026, August 27, 2026, September 1, 2026, September 23, 2026, October 1, 2026 and October 6, 2026; | |
| · | The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-41052), filed with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on November 10, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description, and Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022; and | |
| · | Filings we make with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement. |
Upon written or oral request, we will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of such information that has been incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates). Written or oral requests for copies should be directed to Valion Bio, Inc., Attn: President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 1305 E. Houston St., Building 1, Suite 311, San Antonio, Texas 78205, telephone number is (888) 276-6888. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” for information concerning how to read and obtain copies of materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public offices.
Any statement contained in this prospectus, or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated by reference, shall be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not, except as so modified or superseded, constitute a part of this prospectus.
Under no circumstances will any information filed under current items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.
| S-12 |
USE OF PROCEEDS
We may issue and sell shares of common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $5,000,000 from time to time, before deducting sales agent commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The amount of proceeds from this offering, if any, will depend upon the number of shares of our common stock sold and the market price at which they are sold. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sell any shares under or fully utilize the sales agreement with Rodman & Renshaw.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include operating expenses, research and development, and pending and future acquisitions. We do not expect such intended uses to change in the event that we do not sell all of the securities offered under this prospectus. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for any of such purposes.
Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering are based upon our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. As a result, we cannot predict with any certainty our use of the net proceeds from this offering or the amounts that we will actually spend on each area of use set forth above. Our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering. Accordingly, we will have discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the proceeds of this offering.
The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds to us from this offering, including for any of the purposes described above. Pending the use of the net proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing, investment-grade securities, certificates of deposit or government securities.
| S-13 |
Dilution
If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay in this offering and the net tangible book value (deficit) per share of common stock immediately after this offering. The net tangible book value (deficit) of our common stock as of June 30, 2026, was approximately $(11,920,000), or approximately $(71.77) per share of common stock based on 166,077 shares of common stock outstanding on that date. “Net tangible book value” (deficit) is total assets minus the sum of liabilities, intangible assets and temporary equity. “Net tangible book value (deficit) per share” is net tangible book value (deficit) divided by the total number of shares outstanding.
After giving effect to the sale of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 in this offering at an assumed offering price of $2.48 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on October 5, 2026, and after deducting the sales commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our net tangible book value (deficit) as of June 30, 2026, would have been approximately $(7,413,700), or approximately $(3.40) per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value (deficit) of $68.37 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of approximately $5.88 per share to new investors participating in this offering, as illustrated by the following table:
| Assumed offering price per share of common stock | $ | 2.48 | ||||||
| Net tangible book value (deficit) per share of common stock as of June 30, 2026 | $ | (71.77 | ) | |||||
| Increase in as adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share of common stock attributable to the offering | $ | 68.37 | ||||||
| As adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share of common stock as of June 30, 2026 after giving effect to this offering | $ | (3.40) | ||||||
| Dilution in net tangible book value per share (deficit) of common stock to new investors in the offering | $ | 5.88 |
The as adjusted information is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual price to the public, the actual number of shares sold and other terms of the offering determined at the time common stock is sold pursuant to this prospectus. The as adjusted information assumes that all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 is sold at the assumed offering price of $2.48 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on October 5, 2026. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices.
The discussion and table above are based on 166,077 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2026, and excludes the following potentially dilutive securities as of that date:
| · | 14,240 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock outstanding, with a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $153.25 per share; | |
| · | 346,783 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $73.23 per share; | |
| · | 1,140 shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of outstanding restricted stock units; | |
| · | 10,928 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of our Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock; | |
| · | 184,911 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of our Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock; | |
| · | 1,076,168 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of our Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock; and | |
| · | 110,971 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the A&R 2021 Plan. |
To the extent that warrants and options are exercised, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, or Series C Preferred Stock is converted and shares held in abeyance are issued, there may be further dilution to new investors.
| S-14 |
DIVIDENDS
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of the business, and therefore, do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our business prospects, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, debt repayment obligations, capital expenditure needs, contractual restrictions, covenants in the agreements governing current and future indebtedness, industry trends, the provisions of Delaware law affecting the payment of dividends and distributions to stockholders and any other factors or considerations the board of directors deems relevant.
| S-15 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We entered into the sales agreement with Rodman & Renshaw, pursuant to which such agreement and this prospectus and the accompanying base prospectus, we may issue and sell from time to time shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $5,000,000 through Rodman & Renshaw as our sales agent. Sales of the common stock, if any, will be made (i) in privately negotiated transactions with our consent, (ii) in block transactions, or (iii) by any other method permitted by law deemed to be an “at-the-market offering” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on The Nasdaq Capital Market, the trading market for our common stock, or any other existing trading market in the United States for our common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.
If we and Rodman & Renshaw agree on any method of distribution other than sales of shares of our common stock into The Nasdaq Capital Market or another existing trading market in the United States at market prices, we will file a further prospectus supplement providing all information about such offering as required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.
Rodman & Renshaw will offer our common stock at prevailing market prices subject to the terms and conditions of the sales agreement as agreed upon by us and Rodman & Renshaw. We will designate the number of shares which we desire to sell, the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of shares that may be sold in one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. Subject to the terms and conditions of the sales agreement, Rodman & Renshaw will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell on our behalf all of the shares of common stock requested to be sold by us. We or Rodman & Renshaw may suspend the offering of the common stock being made through Rodman & Renshaw under the sales agreement upon proper notice to the other party and pursuant to the terms of the sales agreement.
Settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the first business day or such shorter settlement cycle as may be in effect under the Exchange Act from time to time, following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and Rodman & Renshaw in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Rodman & Renshaw may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
We will pay Rodman & Renshaw a cash commission equal to up to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share of common stock issued by us and sold by Rodman & Renshaw under the sales agreement. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to this offering, the actual total offering amount, sales commissions and net proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the sales agreement, we have agreed to pay Rodman & Renshaw a fee not to exceed $50,000 for the reasonable fees and expenses of its legal counsel (excluding any periodic due diligence fees) incurred in connection with entering into the transactions contemplated by the sales agreement. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the sales agreement, we have also agreed to reimburse Rodman & Renshaw (i) $2,500 per due diligence update session conducted in connection with each such date we file our Annual Report on Form 10-K and (ii) $2,500 per due diligence update session in connection with each such date we file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding commissions payable to Rodman & Renshaw under the sales agreement, will be approximately $353,000, assuming we sell the entire amount offered pursuant to this prospectus and the accompanying base prospectus. We will disclose in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, the number of shares of our common stock sold through Rodman & Renshaw under the sales agreement, the net proceeds to us and the compensation paid by us with respect to sales under the sales agreement during the relevant quarter.
In connection with the sales of common stock on our behalf, Rodman & Renshaw will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to Rodman & Renshaw will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed in the sales agreement to provide indemnification and contribution to Rodman & Renshaw against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
| S-16 |
The offering of our shares of common stock pursuant to this prospectus will terminate upon the earlier of (a) the sale of the shares pursuant to this prospectus and the accompanying base prospectus having and aggregate sales price of $5,000,000, or (b) termination of the sales agreement as permitted therein.
To the extent required by Regulation M, Rodman & Renshaw will not engage in any market making activities involving our shares of common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus.
From time to time, Rodman & Renshaw and its affiliates may provide in the future various advisory, investment and commercial banking and other services to us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, in the ordinary course of its various business activities, Rodman & Renshaw and its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Rodman & Renshaw or its affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments. Except as disclosed in this prospectus, we have no present arrangements with Rodman & Renshaw for any further services.
This summary of the material provisions of the sales agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the sales agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
This prospectus and accompanying base prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Rodman & Renshaw and Rodman & Renshaw may distribute this prospectus electronically.
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Odyssey Transfer and Trust Company. The transfer agent’s address is 860 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 320, Eagan, MN 55121.
| S-17 |
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., San Diego, California. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, Chicago, Illinois, is acting as counsel for Rodman & Renshaw in connection with this offering.
EXPERTS
Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A., the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company’s financial statements at December 31, 2025 and 2024, and for the years then ended, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern), which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman P.A.’s report, given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
| S-18 |
Up to $5,000,000
COMMON STOCK
PROSPECTUS
Rodman & Renshaw LLC
The date of this prospectus is , 2026
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered:
| SEC registration fee | $ | 8,700 |
||
| FINRA fee | $ | 1,250 | ||
| Printing and engraving | * | |||
| Legal fees and expenses | * | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses | * | |||
| Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses | * | |||
| Trustee fees and expenses | * | |||
| Miscellaneous expenses | * | |||
| Total | $ | 9,950 |
| * | These fees are calculated based on the type of securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
As permitted by Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have adopted provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (our “Charter”), and amended and restated bylaws (our “Bylaws”) that limit or eliminate the personal liability of our directors for a breach of their fiduciary duty of care as a director. The duty of care generally requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation, directors exercise an informed business judgment based on all material information reasonably available to them. Consequently, a director will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:
| · | any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; | |
| · | any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of laws; | |
| · | any act related to unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions or payment of dividends; or | |
| · | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
These limitations of liability do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. Our Charter authorizes us to indemnify our officers, directors and other agents to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
| II-1 |
As permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Bylaws will provide that:
| · | we may indemnify our directors, officers, and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to limited exceptions; | |
| · | we may advance expenses to our directors, officers and employees in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to limited exceptions; and | |
| · | the rights provided in our Bylaws are not exclusive. |
Our Charter provides that we will indemnify each person who was or is a party, or is or was threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of us) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Our Charter provides that we will indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and any appeal therefrom, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless a court determines that, despite such adjudication but in view of all of the circumstances, he or she is entitled to indemnification of such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, he or she will be indemnified by us against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Expenses must be advanced to an Indemnitee under certain circumstances.
The above discussion of our Charter, Bylaws and Delaware law is not intended to be exhaustive and is respectively qualified in its entirety by such Charter, Bylaws and applicable Delaware law.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. These indemnification agreements may require us, among other things, to indemnify our directors and officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or officer in any action or proceeding arising out of his or her service as one of our directors or officers, or any of our subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.
We maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage for certain liabilities of directors and officers of our company arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.
To the extent that our directors and officers are indemnified under the provisions contained in our Charter, Bylaws, Delaware law or contractual arrangements against liabilities arising under the Securities Act, we have been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is therefore unenforceable.
| II-2 |
Item 16. Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
| II-3 |
| 4.3* | Form of Senior Debt Security | ||||||||||
| 4.4* | Form of Subordinate Debt Security | ||||||||||
| 4.5* | Form of Warrant Indenture | ||||||||||
| 4.6* | Form of Warrant Certificate | ||||||||||
| 4.7* | Form of Subscription Rights Agreement | ||||||||||
| 4.8* | Form of Unit Agreement | ||||||||||
| 5.1 | Opinion of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. | X | |||||||||
| 23.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | X | |||||||||
| 23.2 | Consent of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1) | X | |||||||||
| 24.1 | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto) | X | |||||||||
| 25.1* | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended | ||||||||||
| 107 | Filing Fee Table | X | |||||||||
| * | To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 17. Undertakings
(a)The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
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(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.
(2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A)Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B)Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
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(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b)The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h)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.
(j)The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under
subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed
by the SEC under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Antonio, State of Texas, on October 7, 2026.
| VALION BIO, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Dean Zikria | |
| Name: Dean Zikria Title: Interim Chief Executive Officer | ||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Dean Zikria as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith to this registration statement and any later registration statement filed by the registrant under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, which relates to this registration statement) and to file the same with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, 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, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Dean Zikria | Interim Chief Executive Officer | October 7, 2026 | ||
| Dean Zikria | (Principal Executive Officer) and Director | |||
|
/s/ Lisa Wolf Lisa Wolf |
President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
October 7, 2026 | ||
|
/s/ Thomas Jensen Thomas Jensen |
Chair of the Board of Directors | October 7, 2026 | ||
|
/s/ Christina Valauri Christina Valauri |
Director | October 7, 2026 | ||
|
/s/ Jared Malbin Jared Malbin |
Director | October 7, 2026 | ||
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Exhibit 1.2
AT THE MARKET OFFERING AGREEMENT
October 7, 2026
Rodman & Renshaw LLC
600 Lexington Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Valion Bio, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with Rodman & Renshaw LLC and its successors and permitted assigns (the “Manager”) as follows:
1. Definitions. The terms that follow, when used in this Agreement and any Terms Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.
“Accountants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(hh).
“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(p).
“Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(o).
“Applicable Time” shall mean, with respect to any Shares, the time of sale of such Shares pursuant to this Agreement or any relevant Terms Agreement.
“Base Prospectus” shall mean the base prospectus contained in the Registration Statement at the Effective Time.
“BHCA” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(qq).
“Board” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b)(iii).
“Broker Fee” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b)(v).
“Business Day” shall mean any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
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“Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” shall mean common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Common Stock Equivalents” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(g).
“Company U.S. Counsel” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(l).
“Distribution” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b)(ix).
“DTC” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b)(vii).
“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto became or becomes effective.
“Effective Time” shall mean the first date and time that the Registration Statement becomes effective.
“Environmental Laws” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(s).
“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(y).
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
“Execution Time” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.
“Federal Reserve” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(qq).
“FINRA” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(e).
“Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.
“GAAP” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(m).
“Hazardous Materials" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(s).
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“Incorporated Documents” shall mean the documents or portions thereof filed with the Commission on or prior to the Effective Date that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and any documents or portions thereof filed with the Commission after the Effective Date that are deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.
“Indebtedness” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(ee).
“Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(v).
“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433.
“IT Systems and Data” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(mm).
“Liens” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a).
“Losses” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 7(d).
“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(b).
“Material Permits” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(t).
“Maximum Amount” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.
“Money Laundering Laws” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(rr).
“Net Proceeds” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b)(v).
“Permitted Free Writing Prospectus” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(g).
“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(e).
“Placement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(c).
“Proceeding” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(b).
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“Prospectus” shall mean the Base Prospectus, as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Time and any subsequently filed Prospectus Supplement (if any).
“Prospectus Supplement” shall mean the prospectus relating to the Shares included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Time and any other prospectus supplement relating to the Shares prepared and filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) from time to time.
“Record Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b)(ix).
“Registration Statement” shall mean the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 registering $100,000,000 of securities of the Company to be filed on or about the Execution Time, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus relating to the Shares that is filed with or incorporated by reference into such registration statement and any prospectus supplement relating to the Shares that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B or 462(b) of the Securities Act, as amended on each Effective Date and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto becomes effective, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended.
“Representation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(k).
“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(e).
“Rule 158”, “Rule 164”, “Rule 172”, “Rule 173”, “Rule 405”, “Rule 415”, “Rule 424”, “Rule 430B” and “Rule 433” refer to such rules under the Act.
“Sales Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b)(i).
“Sanctions” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(oo).
“SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(m).
“Settlement Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b)(vii).
“Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.
“Subsidiary” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a).
“Terms Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(a).
“Time of Delivery” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(c).
“Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the Trading Market is open for trading.
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“Trading Market” shall mean any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “contained,” “included” or “stated in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include, without limitation, the filing of any Incorporated Document to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date.
2. Sale and Delivery of Shares. The Company proposes to issue and sell through or to the Manager, as sales agent and/or principal, from time to time during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth herein, up to such number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”), that does not exceed (a) the number or dollar amount of Common Stock registered on the Prospectus Supplement, pursuant to which the offering is being made, (b) the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (less the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any outstanding securities of the Company or otherwise reserved from the Company’s authorized capital stock), (c) the number or dollar amount of Common Stock that would cause the Company or the offering of the Shares to not satisfy the eligibility and transaction requirements for use of Form S-3, including General Instruction I.B.6 of Registration Statement on Form S-3 (i.e., that the aggregate market value of securities sold by the Company pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 during the 12 calendar months prior to, and including, any sale of Shares hereunder does not exceed one-third of the aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Company (the “Public Float”), computed as of a date within 60 days prior to such sale), or (d) $5,000,000 in the aggregate (the lesser of (a), (b), (c) and (d), the “Maximum Amount”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto agree that compliance with the limitations set forth in this Section 2 on the number and aggregate sales price of Shares issued and sold under this Agreement, including compliance with the Public Float limitation described in clause (c) above, shall be the sole responsibility of the Company and that the Manager shall have no obligation in connection with such compliance; provided that the Manager follows the trading instructions provided by the Company pursuant to any Sales Notice (as defined below) in all material respects.
(a) Appointment of Manager as Selling Agent; Terms Agreement. For purposes of selling the Shares through the Manager, the Company hereby appoints the Manager as exclusive agent of the Company for the purpose of selling the Shares of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Manager agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions stated herein. The Company agrees that, whenever it determines to sell the Shares directly to the Manager as principal, it will enter into a separate agreement (each, a “Terms Agreement”) in substantially the form of Annex I hereto, relating to such sale in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement.
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(b) Agent Sales. Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company will issue and agrees to sell Shares from time to time through the Manager, acting as sales agent, and the Manager agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell, as sales agent for the Company, on the following terms. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall not deliver, and the Manager shall not be obligated to act upon, any Sales Notice, and no Shares shall be offered or sold hereunder, unless and until the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission, it being agreed that the Company and the Manager may execute and deliver this Agreement and the Company may file the Prospectus Supplement prior to such effectiveness.
(i) The Shares are to be sold on a daily basis or otherwise as shall be agreed to by the Company and the Manager on any day that (A) is a Trading Day, (B) the Company has instructed the Manager by telephone (confirmed promptly by electronic mail) to make such sales (“Sales Notice”) and (C) the Company has satisfied its obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement. The Company will designate the maximum amount of the Shares to be sold by the Manager daily (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2(d)) and the minimum price per Share at which such Shares may be sold. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Manager shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell on a particular day all of the Shares designated for the sale by the Company on such day. The gross sales price of the Shares sold under this Section 2(b) shall be the market price for the Common Stock sold by the Manager under this Section 2(b) on the Trading Market at the time of sale of such Shares.
(ii) The Company acknowledges and agrees that (A) there can be no assurance that the Manager will be successful in selling the Shares, (B) the Manager will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other Person if it does not sell the Shares for any reason other than a failure by the Manager to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell such Shares as required under this Agreement, and (C) the Manager shall be under no obligation to purchase Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Manager and the Company pursuant to a Terms Agreement.
(iii) The Company shall not authorize the issuance and sale of, and the Manager shall not be obligated to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell, any Share at a price lower than the minimum price therefor designated from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), or a duly authorized committee thereof, or such duly authorized officers of the Company, and notified to the Manager in writing. The Company or the Manager may, upon notice to the other party hereto by telephone (confirmed promptly by electronic mail), suspend the offering of the Shares for any reason and at any time; provided, however, that such suspension or termination shall not affect or impair the parties’ respective obligations with respect to the Shares sold hereunder prior to the giving of such notice.
(iv) The Manager may sell Shares by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Act, including without limitation sales made directly on the Trading Market, on any other existing trading market for the Common Stock or to or through a market maker. The Manager may also sell Shares (i) in privately negotiated transactions with the consent of the Company or (ii) in block transactions. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require either party to agree to the method of offer and sale specified in this Section 2(b)(iv), and (except as specified in clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sentence) the method of placement of any Shares by the Manager shall be at the Manager’s discretion.
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(v) The compensation to the Manager for sales of the Shares under this Section 2(b) shall be a placement fee of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price of the Shares sold pursuant to this Section 2(b) (“Broker Fee”). The foregoing rate of compensation shall not apply when the Manager acts as principal, in which case the Company may sell Shares to the Manager as principal at a price agreed upon at the relevant Applicable Time pursuant to a Terms Agreement. The remaining proceeds, after deduction of the Broker Fee and deduction of any transaction fees imposed by any clearing firm, execution broker, or governmental or self-regulatory organization in respect of such sales, shall constitute the net proceeds to the Company for such Shares (the “Net Proceeds”).
(vi) The Manager shall provide written confirmation (which may be by electronic mail) to the Company following the close of trading on the Trading Market each day in which the Shares are sold under this Section 2(b) setting forth the number of the Shares sold on such day, the aggregate gross sales proceeds and the Net Proceeds to the Company, and the compensation payable by the Company to the Manager with respect to such sales.
(vii) Unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the Manager, settlement for sales of the Shares will occur at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the first (1st) Trading Day, or any other settlement cycle as may be in effect pursuant to Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act from time to time following the date on which such sales are made (each, a “Settlement Date”). On or before the Trading Day prior to each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Shares being sold by crediting the Manager’s or its designee’s account (provided that the Manager shall have given the Company written notice of such designee at least one Trading Day prior to the Settlement Date) at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian System or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto which Shares in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form. On each Settlement Date, the Manager will deliver the related Net Proceeds in same day funds to an account designated by the Company. The Company agrees that, if the Company, or its transfer agent (if applicable), defaults in its obligation to deliver duly authorized Shares on a Settlement Date through no fault of the Manager, in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Section 7 hereto, the Company will (i) hold the Manager harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or reasonable, documented expense (including reasonable and documented legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company, and (ii) pay to the Manager any commission, discount or other compensation to which the Manager would otherwise have been entitled absent such default.
(viii) At each Applicable Time, Settlement Date, and Representation Date, the Company shall be deemed to have affirmed each representation and warranty contained in this Agreement as if such representation and warranty were made as of such date, modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended as of such date. Any obligation of the Manager to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Shares on behalf of the Company shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the continuing satisfaction of the additional conditions specified in Section 6 of this Agreement.
(ix) If the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, shares or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution” and the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive the Distribution, the “Record Date”), the Company hereby covenants that, in connection with any sales of Shares pursuant to a Sales Notice on the Record Date, the Company shall issue and deliver such Shares to the Manager on the Record Date and the Record Date shall be the Settlement Date and the Company shall cover any additional costs of the Manager in connection with the delivery of Shares on the Record Date.
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(c) Term Sales. If the Company wishes to sell the Shares pursuant to this Agreement in a manner other than as set forth in Section 2(b) of this Agreement (each, a “Placement”), the Company will notify the Manager of the proposed terms of such Placement. If the Manager, acting as principal, wishes to accept such proposed terms (which it may decline to do for any reason in its sole discretion) or, following discussions with the Company wishes to accept amended terms, the Manager and the Company will enter into a Terms Agreement setting forth the terms of such Placement. The terms set forth in a Terms Agreement will not be binding on the Company or the Manager unless and until the Company and the Manager have each executed such Terms Agreement accepting all of the terms of such Terms Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a Terms Agreement, the terms of such Terms Agreement will control. A Terms Agreement may also specify certain provisions relating to the reoffering of such Shares by the Manager. The commitment of the Manager to purchase the Shares pursuant to any Terms Agreement shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties of the Company herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth. Each Terms Agreement shall specify the number of the Shares to be purchased by the Manager pursuant thereto, the price to be paid to the Company for such Shares, any provisions relating to rights of, and default by, underwriters acting together with the Manager in the reoffering of the Shares, and the time and date (each such time and date being referred to herein as a “Time of Delivery”) and place of delivery of and payment for such Shares. Such Terms Agreement shall also specify any requirements for opinions of counsel, accountants’ “comfort” letters and officers’ certificates pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement and any other information or documents required by the Manager.
(d) Maximum Number of Shares. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Shares if, after giving effect to the sale of such Shares, the aggregate amount of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement would exceed the lesser of (A) together with all sales of Shares under this Agreement, the Maximum Amount, (B) the amount available for offer and sale under the currently effective Registration Statement and (C) the amount authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement by the Board, a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized executive officer, and notified to the Manager in writing. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Shares pursuant to this Agreement at a price lower than the minimum price authorized from time to time by the Board, a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized executive officer, and notified to the Manager in writing. Further, under no circumstances shall the Company cause or permit the aggregate offering amount of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement to exceed the Maximum Amount.
(e) Regulation M Notice. Unless the exceptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are satisfied with respect to the Shares, the Company shall give the Manager at least one (1) Business Day’s prior notice of its intent to sell any Shares in order to allow the Manager time to comply with Regulation M.
3. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Manager at the Execution Time and the Effective Time and on each such time that the following representations and warranties are repeated or deemed to be made pursuant to this Agreement, as set forth below, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Incorporated Documents.
(a) Subsidiaries. Except for Velocity Bioworks, Inc., the Company has no other direct or indirect subsidiaries (individually, a “Subsidiary”). The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any “Liens” (which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean a lien, charge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction), and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities.
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(b) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation or in default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus or the Incorporated Documents, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under this Agreement (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no “Proceeding” (which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean any action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened) has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
(c) Authorization and Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board or the Company’s shareholders in connection herewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, anti-dilution or similar adjustments, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(e) Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other “Person” (defined as an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind, including the Trading Market) in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, other than (i) the filings required by this Agreement, (ii) the filing with the Commission of the Prospectus Supplement, (iii) the filing of application(s) to and approval by the Trading Market for the listing of the Shares for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby, and (iv) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).
(f) Issuance of Shares. The Shares are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with this Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company has reserved from its duly authorized Common Stock the maximum number of Shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement. On or after the Effective Time, the issuance by the Company of the Shares has been registered under the Act and all of the Shares are freely transferable and tradable by the purchasers thereof without restriction (other than any restrictions arising solely from an act or omission of such a purchaser). The Shares are being issued pursuant to the Registration Statement and the issuance of the Shares has been registered by the Company under the Act on or after the Effective Time. The “Plan of Distribution” section within the Registration Statement permits the issuance and sale of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement. Upon receipt of the Shares, the purchasers of such Shares will have good and marketable title to such Shares and the Shares will be freely tradable on the Trading Market.
(g) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the SEC Reports as of the date set forth therein. The Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee equity awards under the Company’s equity award plans, the issuance of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s equity award plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of securities exercisable, exchangeable or convertible into Common Stock (“Common Stock Equivalents”) outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act. No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any Common Stock or shares of the capital stock of any Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary. The issuance and sale of the Shares will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue Common Stock or other securities to any Person. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary with any provision that adjusts the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price of such security or instrument upon an issuance of securities by the Company or any Subsidiary. There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary that contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or such Subsidiary. The Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal, state and provincial securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Shares. There are no stockholders’ agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.
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(h) Registration Statement. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Act and has prepared and filed, or will file on or following the Execution Time, with the Commission the Registration Statement, including a related Base Prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Shares. Upon the Effective Time, the Registration Statement shall be available for the offer and sale of the Shares as of the date hereof. As or when filed, the Base Prospectus contains or will contain all information required by the Act and the rules thereunder, and, except to the extent the Manager shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to the Manager prior to the Execution Time or prior to any such time this representation is repeated or deemed to be made. The Registration Statement, when filed on or following the Execution Time, each such time this representation is repeated or deemed to be made, and at all times during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172, 173 or any similar rule) in connection with any offer or sale of the Shares, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x). The Company meets the transaction requirements as set forth in General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 with respect to the aggregate market value of securities being sold pursuant to this offering and during the twelve (12) calendar months prior to this offering, such that the aggregate market value of securities sold by the Company pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 during such period, including the Shares sold pursuant to this offering, does not and will not exceed one-third of the Company's Public Float.
(i) Accuracy of Incorporated Documents. The Incorporated Documents, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, and none of the Incorporated Documents, when they were filed with the Commission, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus, when such documents are filed with the Commission, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, as applicable, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(j) Ineligible Issuer. (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Shares and (ii) as of the Execution Time and on each such time this representation is repeated or deemed to be made (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.
(k) Free Writing Prospectus. The Company is eligible to use Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus does not include any information the substance of which conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any Incorporated Documents and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified; and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus does 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. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Manager specifically for use therein. Any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Act and the rules thereunder. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) or that was prepared by or behalf of or used by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the rules thereunder. The Company will not, without the prior consent of the Manager, prepare, use or refer to, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses.
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(l) Proceedings Related to Registration Statement. The Registration Statement is not the subject of a pending proceeding or examination under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Act, and the Company is not the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Act in connection with the offering of the Shares. The Company has not received any notice that the Commission has issued or intends to issue a stop-order with respect to the Registration Statement or that the Commission has suspended or withdrawn the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, either temporarily or permanently, or, to the Company’s knowledge, intends or has threatened in writing to do so.
(m) SEC Reports. The Company has filed or furnished all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed or furnished by the Company under the Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, together with the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. No other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments.
(n) Statistical and Market-Related Data. All statistical, demographic and market-related data included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes, after reasonable inquiry, to be reliable and accurate. To the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent for the use of such data from such sources.
(o) Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, except as specifically disclosed in a subsequent SEC Report filed prior to the date on which this representation is being made, (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock, (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or “Affiliate” (defined as any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144 under the Act), except pursuant to existing Company equity award plans, and (vi) no executive officer of the Company or member of the Board has resigned from any position with the Company. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement, no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists or is reasonably expected to occur or exist with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets or financial condition that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least one (1) Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made.
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(p) Litigation. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, there is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”). None of the Actions set forth in the SEC Reports, (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Shares or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Act.
(q) Labor Relations. No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(r) Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(s) Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(t) Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material Permits”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.
(u) Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects.
(v) Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has no knowledge of any facts that would preclude it from having valid license rights or clear title to the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company has no knowledge that it lacks or will be unable to obtain any rights or licenses to use all Intellectual Property Rights that are necessary to conduct its business.
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(w) Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary for companies of a similar size as the Company in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.
(x) Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including equity award agreements under any equity award plan of the Company.
(y) Sarbanes Oxley Compliance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”), and the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established. The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
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(z) Certain Fees. Other than payments to be made to the Manager, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Manager shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(aa) No Other Sales Agency Agreement. The Company has not entered into any other sales agency agreements or other similar arrangements with any agent or any other representative in respect of at the market offerings of the Shares.
(bb) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Shares, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(cc) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is listed on the Trading Market and the issuance of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Trading Market. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, the Company has not, in the 12 months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. The Company is, except as set forth in the SEC Reports, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements. The Common Stock is currently eligible for electronic transfer through DTC or another established clearing corporation and the Company is current in payment of the fees to DTC (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer.
(dd) Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and the Board have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of the State of Delaware, its jurisdiction of incorporation, that is or could become applicable to the Shares.
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(ee) Solvency. Based on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the date hereof, (i) the fair saleable value of the Company’s assets exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the Company’s existing debts and other liabilities (including known contingent liabilities) as they mature, (ii) the Company’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital needs taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business conducted by the Company, consolidated and projected capital requirements and capital availability thereof, and (iii) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its liabilities when such amounts are required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). The Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one year from the date hereof. The SEC Reports set forth as of the date hereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” means (x) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (y) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (z) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.
(ff) Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim.
(gg) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
(hh) Accountants. The Company’s accounting firm is Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. (the “Accountants”). To the knowledge and belief of the Company, such accounting firm (i) is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2026.
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(ii) Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Shares, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or, paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Shares, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Manager in connection with the Shares.
(jj) FDA. As to each product subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (“FDCA”) that is manufactured, packaged, labeled, tested, distributed, sold, and/or marketed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each such product, a “Pharmaceutical Product”), such Pharmaceutical Product is being manufactured, packaged, labeled, tested, distributed, sold and/or marketed by the Company in compliance with all applicable requirements under FDCA and similar laws, rules and regulations relating to registration, investigational use, premarket clearance, licensure, or application approval, good manufacturing practices, good laboratory practices, good clinical practices, product listing, quotas, labeling, advertising, record keeping and filing of reports, except where the failure to be in compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending, completed or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, action (including any lawsuit, arbitration, or legal or administrative or regulatory proceeding, charge, complaint, or investigation) against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice, warning letter or other communication from the FDA or any other governmental entity, which (i) contests the premarket clearance, licensure, registration, or approval of, the uses of, the distribution of, the manufacturing or packaging of, the testing of, the sale of, or the labeling and promotion of any Pharmaceutical Product, (ii) withdraws its approval of, requests the recall, suspension, or seizure of, or withdraws or orders the withdrawal of advertising or sales promotional materials relating to, any Pharmaceutical Product, (iii) imposes a clinical hold on any clinical investigation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) enjoins production at any facility of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) enters or proposes to enter into a consent decree of permanent injunction with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (vi) otherwise alleges any violation of any laws, rules or regulations by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and which, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect. The properties, business and operations of the Company have been and are being conducted in all material respects in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the FDA. The Company has not been informed by the FDA that the FDA will prohibit the marketing, sale, license or use in the United States of any product proposed to be developed, produced or marketed by the Company nor has the FDA expressed any concern as to approving or clearing for marketing any product being developed or proposed to be developed by the Company.
(kk) ERISA Compliance. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Company, its Subsidiaries or their “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “Code”) of which the Company or such Subsidiary is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under ERISA). Neither the Company, its Subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.
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(ll) Equity Award Plans. Each equity award granted by the Company under the Company’s equity award plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s equity award plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such equity award would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No equity award granted under the Company’s equity award plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, equity awards prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of equity awards with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.
(mm) Cybersecurity. (i)(x) There has been no security breach or other compromise of or relating to any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of its respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of it), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”) and (y) the Company and the Subsidiaries have not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to its IT Systems and Data; (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable safeguards to maintain and protect its material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and Data; and (iv) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practices for companies of a similar size and with a similar business to the Company.
(nn) Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. (i) The Company and the Subsidiaries are, and at all times during the past three years were, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations, including, as applicable, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) (EU 2016/679) (collectively, “Privacy Laws”); (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have in place, comply with, and take appropriate steps reasonably designed to ensure compliance with their policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, disclosure, handling and analysis of Personal Data (the “Policies”); (iii) the Company provides accurate notice of its applicable Policies to its customers, employees, third party vendors and representatives as required by Privacy Laws; and (iv) applicable Policies provide accurate and sufficient notice of the Company’s then-current privacy practices relating to its subject matter, and do not contain any material omissions of the Company’s then-current privacy practices, as required by Privacy Laws. “Personal Data” means (i) a natural person’s name, street address, telephone number, email address, photograph, social security number, bank information, or customer or account number; (ii) any information which would qualify as “personally identifying information” under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended; (iii) “personal data” as defined by GDPR; and (iv) any other piece of information that allows the identification of such natural person, or his or her family, or permits the collection or analysis of any identifiable data related to an identified person’s health or sexual orientation. (i) None of such disclosures made or contained in any of the Policies have been inaccurate, misleading, or deceptive in violation of any Privacy Laws and (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result in a breach of any Privacy Laws or Policies. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries, (i) has, to the knowledge of the Company, received written notice of any actual or potential liability of the Company or the Subsidiaries under, or actual or potential violation by the Company or the Subsidiaries of, any of the Privacy Laws; (ii) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation or other corrective action pursuant to any regulatory request or demand pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement by or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority that imposed any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.
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(oo) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any of the directors, officers or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by an individual or entity that is: (i) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, the “Sanctions”), nor (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the transactions contemplated hereby, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person: (i) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the transactions contemplated hereby, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). For the past five years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has knowingly engaged in, and is not now knowingly engaged in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.
(pp) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon the Manager’s request.
(qq) Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.
(rr) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action or Proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.
(ss) FINRA Member Shareholders. There are no affiliations with any FINRA member firm among the Company’s officers, directors or, to the knowledge of the Company, any five percent (5%) or greater shareholder of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus.
(tt) Forward-Looking Statements. Each financial or operational projection or other “forward-looking statement” (as defined by Section 27A of the Act or Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (i) was so included by the Company in good faith and with reasonable basis after due consideration by the Company of the underlying assumptions, estimates and other applicable facts and circumstances and (ii) as required, is accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying those factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statement. No such statement was made that was false or misleading with the knowledge of a director or senior manager of the Company that it was false or misleading.
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4. Agreements. The Company agrees with the Manager that:
(a) Right to Review Amendments and Supplements to Registration Statement and Prospectus. During any period when the delivery of a prospectus relating to the Shares is required (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172, 173 or any similar rule) to be delivered under the Act in connection with the offering or the sale of Shares, the Company will not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement (including any Prospectus Supplement) to the Base Prospectus unless the Company has furnished to the Manager a copy for its review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Manager reasonably objects. The Company has properly completed the Prospectus, in a form approved by the Manager, and filed such Prospectus, as amended at the Execution Time, with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) by the Execution Time and will cause any supplement to the Prospectus to be properly completed, in a form approved by the Manager, and will file such supplement with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed thereby and will provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Manager of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Manager (i) when the Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), (ii) when, during any period when the delivery of a prospectus (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172, 173 or any similar rule) is required under the Act in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective (other than any annual report of the Company filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act), (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution 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 the Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the occurrence of any such suspension or objection to the use of the Registration Statement and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its commercially reasonable efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.
(b) Subsequent Events. If, at any time on or after an Applicable Time but prior to the related Settlement Date, any event occurs as a result of which the Registration Statement or Prospectus would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Manager so that any use of the Registration Statement or Prospectus may cease until such are amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus to correct such statement or omission; and (iii) supply any such amendment or supplement to the Manager in such quantities as the Manager may reasonably request.
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(c) Notification of Subsequent Filings. During any period when the delivery of a prospectus relating to the Shares is required (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172, 173 or any similar rule) to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement, file a new registration statement or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, including in connection with use or delivery of the Prospectus, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Manager of any such event, (ii) subject to Section 4(a), prepare and file with the Commission an amendment or supplement or new registration statement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, (iii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable in order to avoid any disruption in use of the Prospectus and (iv) supply any supplemented Prospectus to the Manager in such quantities as the Manager may reasonably request.
(d) Earnings Statements. As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Manager an earnings statement or statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s compliance with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 4(d).
(e) Delivery of Registration Statement. Upon the request of the Manager, the Company will furnish to the Manager and counsel for the Manager, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by the Manager or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172, 173 or any similar rule), as many copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Manager may reasonably request. The Company will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all documents relating to the offering.
(f) Qualification of Shares. The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Shares for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Manager may designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Shares; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Shares, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.
(g) Free Writing Prospectus. The Company agrees that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Manager, and the Manager agrees with the Company that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Manager or the Company is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (i) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (ii) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.
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(h) Subsequent Equity Issuances. The Company shall not deliver any Sales Notice hereunder (and any Sales Notice previously delivered shall not apply during such three (3) Business Days) for at least three (3) Business Days prior to any date on which the Company or any Subsidiary offers, sells, issues, contracts to sell, contracts to issue or otherwise disposes of, directly or indirectly, any other Common Stock or any Common Stock Equivalents (other than the Shares), subject to Manager’s right to waive this obligation, provided that, without compliance with the foregoing obligation, the Company may issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to any employee equity plan, share ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in effect at the Execution Time and the Company may issue Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding at the Execution Time.
(i) Market Manipulation. Until the termination of this Agreement, the Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation in violation of the Act, Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or otherwise violate any provision of Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
(j) Notification of Incorrect Certificate. The Company will, at any time during the term of this Agreement, as supplemented from time to time, advise the Manager immediately after it shall have received notice or obtained knowledge thereof, of any information or fact that would alter or affect any opinion, certificate, letter and other document provided to the Manager pursuant to Section 6 herein.
(k) Certification of Accuracy of Disclosure. Upon commencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement, which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean the date on which the Company first delivers a Sales Notice to the Manager to commence sales of Shares hereunder following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (and upon the recommencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement following the termination of a suspension of sales hereunder lasting more than thirty (30) Trading Days), and each time that (i) a new Registration Statement is filed and declared effective by the Commission, (ii) the Registration Statement or Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented, other than by means of Incorporated Documents, (iii) the Company files its Annual Report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act, (iv) the Company files a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act, (v) the Company files a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act containing amended or restated financial information, if the Manager reasonably determines that the information in such Form 8-K is material, or (vi) the Shares are delivered to the Manager as principal at the Time of Delivery pursuant to a Terms Agreement (such commencement or recommencement date and each such date referred to in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above, a “Representation Date”), unless waived by the Manager, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Manager forthwith a certificate dated and delivered on the Representation Date, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Manager to the effect that the statements contained in the certificate referred to in Section 6 of this Agreement which were last furnished to the Manager are true and correct at the Representation Date, as though made at and as of such date (except that such statements shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such date) or, in lieu of such certificate, a certificate of the same tenor as the certificate referred to in said Section 6, modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the date of delivery of such certificate.
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(l) Bring Down Opinions; Negative Assurance. At each Representation Date, unless waived by the Manager, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished forthwith to the Manager and to counsel to the Manager a written opinion of U.S. counsel to the Company (“Company U.S. Counsel”), addressed to the Manager and dated and delivered on such Representation Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Manager, including a negative assurance representation of the Company U.S. Counsel.
(m) Auditor Bring Down “Comfort” Letter. At each Representation Date, unless waived by the Manager, the Company shall cause (1) the Company’s Accountants, or other independent accountants satisfactory to the Manager forthwith to furnish the Manager a letter, and (2) the Chief Financial Officer of the Company forthwith to furnish the Manager a certificate, in each case dated on such Representation Date, in form satisfactory to the Manager, of the same tenor as the letters and certificate referred to in Section 6 of this Agreement but modified to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended and supplemented to the date of such letters and certificate.
(n) Due Diligence Session. Upon commencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement (and upon the recommencement of the offering of the Shares under this Agreement following the termination of a suspension of sales hereunder lasting more than thirty (30) Trading Days), and at each Representation Date, the Company will conduct a due diligence session, in form and substance, reasonably satisfactory to the Manager, which shall include representatives of management and Accountants. The Company shall cooperate timely with any reasonable due diligence request from or review conducted by the Manager or its agents from time to time in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, providing information and available documents and access to appropriate corporate officers and the Company’s agents during regular business hours, and timely furnishing or causing to be furnished such certificates, letters and opinions from the Company, its officers and its agents, as the Manager may reasonably request. The Company shall reimburse the Manager for Manager’s counsel’s fees in each such due diligence update session, up to a maximum of $2,500, plus any incidental expense incurred by the Manager in connection therewith.
(o) Acknowledgment of Trading. The Company consents to the Manager trading in the Common Stock for the Manager’s own account and for the account of its clients at the same time as sales of the Shares occur pursuant to this Agreement or pursuant to a Terms Agreement.
(p) Disclosure of Shares Sold. The Company will disclose in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, the number of Shares sold through the Manager under this Agreement, the Net Proceeds to the Company and the compensation paid by the Company with respect to sales of Shares pursuant to this Agreement during the relevant quarter; and, if required by any subsequent change in Commission policy or request, more frequently by means of a Current Report on Form 8-K or a further Prospectus Supplement.
(q) Rescission Right. If to the knowledge of the Company, the conditions set forth in Section 6 shall not have been satisfied as of the applicable Settlement Date, the Company will offer to any person who has agreed to purchase Shares from the Company as the result of an offer to purchase solicited by the Manager the right to refuse to purchase and pay for such Shares.
(r) Bring Down of Representations and Warranties. Each acceptance by the Company of an offer to purchase the Shares hereunder, and each execution and delivery by the Company of a Terms Agreement, shall be deemed to be an affirmation to the Manager that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of such acceptance or of such Terms Agreement as though made at and as of such date, and an undertaking that such representations and warranties will be true and correct as of the Settlement Date for the Shares relating to such acceptance or as of the Time of Delivery relating to such sale, as the case may be, as though made at and as of such date (except that such representations and warranties shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented relating to such Shares).
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(s) Reservation of Shares. The Company shall ensure that there are at all times sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for the issuance, free of any preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in treasury, of the maximum aggregate number of Shares authorized for issuance by the Board pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shares to be listed for trading on the Trading Market and to maintain such listing.
(t) Obligation Under Exchange Act. During any period when the delivery of a prospectus relating to the Shares is required (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172, 173 or any similar rule) to be delivered under the Act, the Company will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder.
(u) DTC Facility. The Company shall cooperate with the Manager and use its reasonable efforts to permit the Shares to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.
(v) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the Net Proceeds from the sale of the Shares in the manner set forth in the Prospectus.
(w) Filing of Prospectus Supplement. If any sales are made pursuant to this Agreement which are not made in “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415, including, without limitation, any Placement pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the Company shall file a Prospectus Supplement describing the terms of such transaction, the amount of Shares sold, the price thereof, the Manager’s compensation, and such other information as may be required pursuant to Rule 424 and Rule 430B, as applicable, within the time required by Rule 424.
(x) Additional Registration Statement. To the extent that the Registration Statement is not available for the sales of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement, the Company shall file a new registration statement with respect to any additional Common Stock necessary to complete such sales of the Shares and shall cause such registration statement to become effective as promptly as practicable. After the effectiveness of any such registration statement, all references to “Registration Statement” included in this Agreement shall be deemed to include such new registration statement, including all documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3, and all references to “Base Prospectus” included in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the final form of prospectus, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, included in any such registration statement at the time such registration statement became effective.
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5. Payment of Expenses. The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, including without limitation: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares; (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Shares, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Shares; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Shares; (v) the registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act, if applicable, and the listing of the Shares on the Trading Market; (vi) any registration or qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Manager relating to such registration and qualification); (vii) the transportation and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Company representatives in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Shares; (viii) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company; (ix) the filing fee under FINRA Rule 5110; (x) the reasonable fees and expenses of the Manager’s counsel, not to exceed $50,000 (excluding any periodic due diligence fees provided for under Section 4(n)), which shall be paid upon the Execution Time; and (xi) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.
6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Manager. The obligations of the Manager under this Agreement and any Terms Agreement shall be subject to (i) the Registration Statement having been declared effective by the Commission and remaining effective (it being understood and agreed that, notwithstanding the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the filing of the Prospectus Supplement at the Execution Time, no Sales Notice shall be delivered by the Company and no sale of Shares shall be requested, made or settled under this Agreement or any Terms Agreement unless and until the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission), (ii) the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein as of the Execution Time, each Representation Date, and as of each Applicable Time, Settlement Date and Time of Delivery, (iii) the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and (iv) the following additional conditions:
(a) Filing of Prospectus Supplement. The Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, required by Rule 424 to be filed with the Commission have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) with respect to any sale of Shares; each Prospectus Supplement shall have been filed in the manner required by Rule 424(b) within the time period required hereunder and under the Act; any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened.
(b) Delivery of Opinions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, the Company shall not be required to deliver the opinion and negative assurance statement referred to in this paragraph (b) at the Execution Time; such opinion and negative assurance statement shall instead first be required to be furnished on or prior to the first Representation Date on which the Company delivers a Sales Notice to the Manager to commence sales of Shares under this Agreement, and thereafter as otherwise provided in Section 4(l). The Company shall have caused the Company U.S. Counsel to furnish to the Manager its opinion and negative assurance statement, as applicable, dated as of such date and addressed to the Manager in form and substance acceptable to the Manager.
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(c) Delivery of Officer’s Certificate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, the Company shall not be required to deliver the certificate referred to in this paragraph (c) at the Execution Time; such certificate shall instead first be required to be furnished on or prior to the first Representation Date on which the Company delivers a Sales Notice to the Manager to commence sales of Shares under this Agreement, and thereafter as otherwise provided in Section 4. The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Manager and to the extent requested by the Manager and upon reasonable advance notice in connection with any offering of the Shares, a certificate of the Company signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, dated as of such date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement and any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements or amendments thereto and this Agreement and that:
(i) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of such date with the same effect as if made on such date and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such date;
(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened; and
(iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Incorporated Documents, there has been no Material Adverse Effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, the Company shall not be required to deliver the certificate referred to in this paragraph (d) at the Execution Time; such certificate shall instead first be required to be furnished on or prior to the first Representation Date on which the Company delivers a Sales Notice to the Manager to commence sales of Shares under this Agreement, and thereafter as otherwise provided in Section 4. The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Manager a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary of the Company, dated as of such date, certifying on behalf of the Company and not in an individual capacity: (a) that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement is true and complete, has not been modified and is in full force and effect; (b) that the resolutions of the Board of Directors relating to the this Agreement and the issuance and sale of Shares as contemplated hereby have been duly adopted, are in full force and effect and have not been modified; (c) as to the accuracy and completeness of all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; and (d) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.
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(e) Delivery of Accountants’ “Comfort” Letter. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, the Company shall not be required to deliver the comfort letter referred to in this paragraph (e) at the Execution Time; such comfort letter shall instead first be required to be furnished on or prior to the first Representation Date on which the Company delivers a Sales Notice to the Manager to commence sales of Shares under this Agreement, and thereafter as otherwise provided in Section 4(m). The Company shall have requested and caused the Accountants to have furnished to the Manager, to the extent requested by the Manager and upon reasonable advance notice in connection with any offering of the Shares, letters (which may refer to letters previously delivered to the Manager), dated as of such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Manager, confirming that they are independent accountants within the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder and that they have performed a review of any unaudited interim financial information of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and provide customary “comfort” as to such review in form and substance satisfactory to the Manager.
(f) No Material Adverse Event. Since the respective dates as of which information is disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Incorporated Documents, except as otherwise stated therein, there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease in previously reported results specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section 6 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Incorporated Documents (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Manager, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof), the Incorporated Documents and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).
(g) Payment of All Fees. The Company shall have paid the required Commission filing fees relating to the Shares within the time period required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) of the Act without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Act and, if applicable, shall have updated the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in accordance with Rule 456(b)(1)(ii) either in a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or on the cover page of a prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b).
(h) No FINRA Objections. FINRA shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms and arrangements under this Agreement.
(i) Shares Listed on Trading Market. The Shares shall have been listed and admitted and authorized for trading on the Trading Market, and satisfactory evidence of such actions shall have been provided to the Manager.
(j) Other Assurances. Prior to each Settlement Date and Time of Delivery, as applicable, the Company shall have furnished to the Manager such further information, certificates and documents as the Manager may reasonably request.
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If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Manager and counsel for the Manager, this Agreement and all obligations of the Manager hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, any Settlement Date or Time of Delivery, as applicable, by the Manager. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone and confirmed in writing by email
The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be delivered to the office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, counsel for the Manager, at 321 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, email: aschwartz@sheppard.com on each such date as provided in this Agreement.
7. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Indemnification by Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Manager, the directors, officers, employees and agents of the Manager and each person who controls the Manager within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the registration of the Shares as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the Base Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arise out of or are based upon any Proceeding, commenced or threatened (whether or not the Manager is a target of or a party to such Proceeding) or result from or relate to any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Manager specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have.
(b) Indemnification by Manager. The Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the Manager, but only with reference to written information relating to the Manager furnished to the Company by the Manager specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity; provided, however, that in no case shall the Manager be responsible for any amount in excess of the Broker Fee applicable to the Shares and paid hereunder. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Manager may otherwise have.
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(c) Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.
(d) Contribution. In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 7 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Manager agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending the same) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company and the Manager may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Manager on the other from the offering of the Shares; provided, however, that in no case shall the Manager be responsible for any amount in excess of the Broker Fee applicable to the Shares and paid hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Manager severally shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Manager on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by it, and benefits received by the Manager shall be deemed to be equal to the Broker Fee applicable to the Shares and paid hereunder as determined by this Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company on the one hand or the Manager on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Manager agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7, each person who controls the Manager within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of the Manager shall have the same rights to contribution as the Manager, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).
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8. Termination.
(a) The Company shall have the right, by giving written notice as hereinafter specified, to terminate the provisions of this Agreement relating to the solicitation of offers to purchase the Shares in its sole discretion at any time upon ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that (i) with respect to any pending sale, through the Manager for the Company, the obligations of the Company, including in respect of compensation of the Manager, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the termination and (ii) the provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, the second sentence of 13, 14 and 15 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination. For ten (10) days following termination of this Agreement by the Company, the Company shall not enter into and/or issue Common Stock in an “at-the-market” facility with any other agent as sales agent.
(b) The Manager shall have the right, by giving written notice as hereinafter specified, to terminate the provisions of this Agreement relating to the solicitation of offers to purchase the Shares in its sole discretion at any time. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, the second sentence of 13, 14 and 15 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.
(c) This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until such date that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sections 8(a) or (b) above or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties, provided that any such termination by mutual agreement shall in all cases be deemed to provide that Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, the second sentence of 13, 14 and 15 shall remain in full force and effect.
(d) Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice of termination, provided that such termination shall not be effective until the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice by the Manager or the Company, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date or Time of Delivery for any sale of the Shares, such sale of the Shares shall settle in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(b) of this Agreement.
(e) In the case of any purchase of Shares by the Manager pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the obligations of the Manager pursuant to such Terms Agreement shall be subject to termination, in the absolute discretion of the Manager, by prompt oral notice given to the Company prior to the Time of Delivery relating to such Shares, if any, and confirmed promptly by electronic mail, if since the time of execution of the Terms Agreement and prior to such delivery and payment, (i) trading in the Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the Trading Market or trading in securities generally on the Trading Market shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Manager, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Shares as contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).
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9. Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Manager set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by the Manager or the Company or any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or controlling persons referred to in Section 7, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.
10. Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and will be mailed, delivered, or e-mailed to the addresses of the Company and the Manager, respectively, set forth on the signature page hereto.
11. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, directors, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in Section 7, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.
12. No Fiduciary Duty. The Company hereby acknowledges that (a) the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the Manager and any affiliate through which it may be acting, on the other, (b) the Manager is acting solely as sales agent and/or principal in connection with the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities and not as a fiduciary of the Company and (c) the Company’s engagement of the Manager in connection with the offering and the process leading up to the offering is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the offering (irrespective of whether the Manager has advised or is currently advising the Company on related or other matters). The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Manager has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owe an agency, fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
13. Integration. This Agreement and any Terms Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Manager with respect to the subject matter hereof.
14. Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and the Manager. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.
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15. Applicable Law. This Agreement and any Terms Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York. Each of the Company and the Manager: (i) agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be instituted exclusively in New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) waives any objection which it may have or hereafter to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and (iii) irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Company and the Manager further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and agrees that service of process upon the Company mailed by certified mail to the Company’s address shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company, in any such suit, action or proceeding, and service of process upon the Manager mailed by certified mail to the Manager’s address shall be deemed in every respect effective service process upon the Manager, in any such suit, action or proceeding. If either party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provision of this Agreement, then the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorney’s fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
16. Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Terms Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement and any Terms Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
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18. Headings. The section headings used in this Agreement and any Terms Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company and the Manager.
Very truly yours,
VALION BIO, INC.
By: /s/ Lisa Wolf
Name: Lisa Wolf
Title: President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Address for Notice:
Valion Bio, Inc.
1305 E. Houston Street, Building 1, Suite 311
San Antonio, TX 78205
Attention: Lisa Wolf
Email: lisa.wolf@valionbio.com
The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first written above.
RODMAN & RENSHAW LLC
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By: /s/ David W. Dinkin Name: David W. Dinkin Title: President
Address for Notice: Rodman & Renshaw LLC 600 Lexington Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, New York 10022 |
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ANNEX I
Form of Terms Agreement
VALION BIO, INC.
TERMS AGREEMENT
_________, 202_
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Valion Bio, Inc. (the “Company”) proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the At The Market Offering Agreement, dated October 7, 2026 (the “At The Market Offering Agreement”), between the Company and Rodman & Renshaw LLC (“Manager”), to issue and sell to Manager the securities specified in the Schedule I hereto (the “Purchased Shares”).
Each of the provisions of the At The Market Offering Agreement not specifically related to the solicitation by the Manager, as agent of the Company, of offers to purchase securities is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Terms Agreement and the Time of Delivery, except that each representation and warranty in Section 3 of the At The Market Offering Agreement which makes reference to the Prospectus (as therein defined) shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty as of the date of the At The Market Offering Agreement in relation to the Prospectus, and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Terms Agreement and the Time of Delivery in relation to the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to relate to the Purchased Shares.
An amendment to the Registration Statement (as defined in the At The Market Offering Agreement), or a supplement to the Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Purchased Shares, in the form heretofore delivered to the Manager is now proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the At The Market Offering Agreement which are incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Manager and the latter agrees to purchase from the Company the number of shares of the Purchased Shares at the time and place and at the purchase price set forth in the Schedule I hereto.
| a. | If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us a counterpart hereof, whereupon this Terms Agreement, including those provisions of the At The Market Offering Agreement incorporated herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between the Manager and the Company. |
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VALION BIO, INC.
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By:__________________________________________ Name: Title:
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ACCEPTED as of the date first written above.
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RODMAN & RENSHAW LLC
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By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title:
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Exhibit 4.1
CERT.9999 t i , ;,N"I • 1 , ;:!' l ' lf h J • *Jl"lt[ " :JFTiJITiVl'TT! JJiffiTt JmN " Jll'.'FJiJ i Jil , w � Vallon Bio, Inc. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE THIS CERTIFIES THAT "SPECIMEN• ..9,000,000,000*".. ...9,000,000,000... - •s,000,000,000.. .....9,000,000,000* ......9,000,000,000 CUSIP: 918942202 IS THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF * NINE BILLION AND 001100 * FULLY PAID AND NON - ASSESSABLE COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.0001 PER SHARE, IN THE CAPITAL OF Valion Bio, Inc. tranarereble on the books of Iha Corporation only upon surrender of this certincate properly endollllld. Thia certificate Is not valid unUJ counlenltgned by the Trensrer Agent and Registrar ofthe CorporaUon. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Corporation has caused lhls certificate lo be signed on Its behelf by the facsimile signatures of Its duly authorized officers. President Secretary COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED ODYSSEY TRANSFER AND TRUST COMPANY TRANSFER AGENT & REGISTRAR Aulhoriz ε Tile shores represented by lhitl oortlflcale ere lransfereble el the offices of Odyssey Trensler end True! Company. Eagen, MN AMERJCAN FINANCIAL PRINI'ING INCORPORATED - MINNEAPOLIS 1629
The corporation will furnish to any shareholder on request, in writing and without charge, a summary of the designations, relative rights, preferences and limitations applicable to each class of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, and the variations in rights, preferences and limitations determined for each series and the authorityof the board of directors to determine variations for future series . The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM - as tenants in common TEN ENT - as tenants by entireties UTMA - Custodian JTTEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common (Gust) (Minor) under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act _ (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. !?Tor - � receio - ed - � .re/4 ௭ PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE muiowy/e;"tulh (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE) J � ff tk cojJdd � � � tk � (J � and ���� and a}jwuz b _ � to, � t k &lid � Oll / tk � ff tk toitfwv - aamed {Jo,/f)tJ - 1'•atiot v coidJid t � ff � u t h v t 7 j 11 • em u & /. X X NOTICE: Tl - IE SIGNAlURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND wm - 1THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON Tl - IE FACE OF TI - IE CERTIRCATE IN EVB=I.Y PARTICULAR WITHOUT ALTERAllON OR ENLARGEMENT OR /J,J,N CHANGE WHATEVER , SIGNATURE GUARANTEED ALL GUARANTEES MUST BE MADE BY A FINANCIAL INSlTTI . JTION (SUCH AS A BANK OR BROKER) WHICH IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE SECURmES TRANSFER AGENTS MEDAWON PROGRAM ("STAMP"), THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC . MEDAWON SIGNATURE PROGRAM {uMSPj, OR THE STOCK EXCHANGES MEDAUJON PROGRAM ("SEMP") AND MUST NOT BE DATED . GUARANTEES BY A NOTARY PUBLIC ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE .
Exhibit 4.2
VALION BIO, INC.
as the Issuer,
and
___________________
as the Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of _______________, 202_
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 |
| 1.1 DEFINITIONS. | 1 |
| 1.2 OTHER DEFINITIONS. | 4 |
| 1.3 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT. | 5 |
| 1.4 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. | 5 |
| ARTICLE 2 - THE SECURITIES | 6 |
| 2.1 ISSUABLE IN SERIES. | 6 |
| 2.2 ESTABLISHMENT OF TERMS OF SERIES OF SECURITIES. | 6 |
| 2.3 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION. | 8 |
| 2.4 REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT. | 9 |
| 2.5 PAYING AGENT TO HOLD ASSETS IN TRUST. | 9 |
| 2.6 SECURITYHOLDER LISTS. | 9 |
| 2.7 TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. | 10 |
| 2.8 REPLACEMENT SECURITIES. | 10 |
| 2.9 OUTSTANDING SECURITIES. | 10 |
| 2.10 WHEN TREASURY SECURITIES DISREGARDED; DETERMINATION OF HOLDERS’ ACTION. | 11 |
| 2.11 TEMPORARY SECURITIES. | 11 |
| 2.12 CANCELLATION. | 11 |
| 2.13 PAYMENT OF INTEREST; DEFAULTED INTEREST; COMPUTATION OF INTEREST. | 11 |
| 2.14 CUSIP NUMBER. | 12 |
| 2.15 PROVISIONS FOR GLOBAL SECURITIES. | 12 |
| 2.16 PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. | 13 |
| ARTICLE 3 - REDEMPTION | 13 |
| 3.1 NOTICES TO TRUSTEE. | 13 |
| 3.2 SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED. | 13 |
| 3.3 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. | 14 |
| i |
| 3.4 EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. | 14 |
| 3.5 DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE. | 14 |
| 3.6 SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART. | 15 |
| ARTICLE 4 - COVENANTS | 15 |
| 4.1 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES. | 15 |
| 4.2 SEC REPORTS. | 15 |
| 4.3 WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS. | 15 |
| 4.4 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. | 16 |
| 4.5 CORPORATE EXISTENCE. | 16 |
| ARTICLE 5 - SUCCESSOR CORPORATION | 16 |
| 5.1 LIMITATION ON CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS. | 16 |
| 5.2 SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED. | 17 |
| ARTICLE 6 - DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 17 |
| 6.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. | 17 |
| 6.2 ACCELERATION. | 18 |
| 6.3 REMEDIES. | 18 |
| 6.4 WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT. | 18 |
| 6.5 CONTROL BY MAJORITY. | 19 |
| 6.6 LIMITATION ON SUITS. | 19 |
| 6.7 RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT. | 19 |
| 6.8 COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE. | 19 |
| 6.9 TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM. | 20 |
| 6.10 PRIORITIES. | 20 |
| 6.11 UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS. | 20 |
| ARTICLE 7 - TRUSTEE | 21 |
| 7.1 DUTIES OF TRUSTEE. | 21 |
| 7.2 RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE. | 22 |
| 7.3 INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE. | 22 |
| ii |
| 7.4 TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER. | 23 |
| 7.5 NOTICE OF DEFAULT. | 23 |
| 7.6 REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS. | 23 |
| 7.7 COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY. | 23 |
| 7.8 REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE. | 24 |
| 7.9 SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR CONVERSION. | 24 |
| 7.10 ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION. | 25 |
| 7.11 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY. | 25 |
| 7.12 PAYING AGENTS. | 25 |
| ARTICLE 8 - AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS | 25 |
| 8.1 WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS. | 25 |
| 8.2 WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS. | 26 |
| 8.3 COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT. | 27 |
| 8.4 REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS. | 27 |
| 8.5 NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES. | 27 |
| 8.6 TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC. | 28 |
| ARTICLE 9 - DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE | 28 |
| 9.1 DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE. | 28 |
| 9.2 LEGAL DEFEASANCE. | 28 |
| 9.3 COVENANT DEFEASANCE. | 28 |
| 9.4 CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE. | 29 |
| 9.5 DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. | 30 |
| 9.6 REINSTATEMENT. | 30 |
| 9.7 MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT. | 30 |
| 9.8 MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE. | 31 |
| ARTICLE 10 - MISCELLANEOUS | 31 |
| 10.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS. | 31 |
| iii |
| 10.2 NOTICES. | 31 |
| 10.3 COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS. | 32 |
| 10.4 CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. | 32 |
| 10.5 STATEMENT REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE AND OPINION. | 32 |
| 10.6 RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS. | 33 |
| 10.7 BUSINESS DAYS; LEGAL HOLIDAYS; PLACE OF PAYMENT. | 33 |
| 10.8 GOVERNING LAW. | 33 |
| 10.9 NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS. | 33 |
| 10.10 NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. | 33 |
| 10.11 SUCCESSORS. | 33 |
| 10.12 MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS. | 34 |
| 10.13 TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC. | 34 |
| 10.14 SEVERABILITY. | 34 |
| 10.15 SECURITIES IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY OR IN EUROS. | 34 |
| 10.16 JUDGMENT CURRENCY. | 35 |
| iv |
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
| TIA SECTION | INDENTURE SECTION |
| 310(a)(1)(2)(5) | 7.10 |
| 310(a)(3)(4) | Inapplicable |
| 310(b) | 7.8; 7.10 |
| 310(c) | Inapplicable |
| 311(a)(b) | 7.11 |
| 311(c) | Inapplicable |
| 312(a) | 2.6 |
| 312(b)(c) | 10.3 |
| 313(a)(b) | 7.6 |
| 313(c) | 7.6; 10.2 |
| 313(d) | 7.6 |
| 314(a) | 4.2; 4.4; 10.2 |
| 314(b) | N/A |
| 314(c)(1)(2) | 10.4; 10.5 |
| 314(c)(3) | Inapplicable |
| 314(d) | Inapplicable |
| 314(e) | 10.5 |
| 314(f) | Inapplicable |
| 315(a) | 7.1, 7.2 |
| 315(b) | 7.5; 10.2 |
| 315(c) | 7.1 |
| 315(d) | 7.1; 7.2 |
| 315(e) | 6.11 |
| 316(a)(last sentence) | 2.10 |
| 316(a)(1)(A) | 6.5 |
| 316(a)(1)(B) | 6.4 |
| 316(a)(2) | 8.2 |
| 316(b) | 6.7 |
| 316(c) | 8.4 |
| 317(a)(1) | 6.8 |
| 317(a)(2) | 6.9 |
| 317(b) | 2.5; 7.12 |
| 318(a) | 10.1 |
Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
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INDENTURE, dated as of _____________, 202_, by and between Valion Bio, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Issuer (the “Company”) and _____________, a __________ organized under the laws of _________, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”), as herein provided, up to such principal amount as may from time to time be authorized in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors or by supplemental indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company in accordance with its terms have been done, and the execution and delivery thereof have been in all respects duly authorized by the parties hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities of a Series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
1.1 DEFINITIONS.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person which, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, co-registrar or agent for service of notices and demands.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee duly authorized to act therefor.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification which has been delivered to the Trustee.
“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, partnership interests or any other participation, right or other interest in the nature of an equity interest in such Person or any option, warrant or other security convertible into any of the foregoing.
“Company” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article 5 of this Indenture, and thereafter means the successor and any other primary obligor on the Securities.
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be its Chief Executive Officer or its Chief Financial Officer.
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“Company Request” means any written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or its Treasurer and attested to by its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.
“Default” means any event that is, or that with the passing of time or giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, until a successor Depository shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depository” shall mean each Person who is then a Depository hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, such Persons.
“Dollars” means the currency of the United States of America.
“Euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of the United States of America.
“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to Securities that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by, or acting as an agency or instrumentality of, such government, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (i) and (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied as in effect in the United States of America from time to time.
“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2, evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee, and bearing the legend set forth in Section 2.15(c) (or such other legend(s) as may be applied to such Securities in accordance with Section 2.2(24)).
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.
“Indebtedness” means (without duplication), with respect to any Person, any indebtedness at any time outstanding, secured or unsecured, contingent or otherwise, which is for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, or representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (excluding any balances that constitute accounts payable or trade payables, and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business), if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.
“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
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“Lien” means, with respect to any property or assets of any Person, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement, encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including, without limitation, any capitalized lease obligation, conditional sales or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security, or an installment of principal, becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of option to elect payment or otherwise.
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company, or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors, as the case may be.
“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or any Treasurer of such Person, that shall comply with applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel, which counsel is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government (including any agency or political subdivision thereof).
“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture.
“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department or division of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as constituted from time to time, or any successor performing substantially the same functions.
“Securities” means the securities that are issued under this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2.
“Significant Subsidiary” means (i) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof, or (ii) any group of direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together as a group, would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
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“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security, or such installment of principal or interest, is due and payable, and when used with respect to any other Indebtedness, means the date specified in the instrument governing such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the principal of such Indebtedness, or any installment of interest thereon, is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of any specified Person means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association or other business entity, whether now existing or hereafter organized or acquired, (i) in the case of a corporation, of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors thereof is held, directly or indirectly, by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries; or (ii) in the case of a partnership, joint venture, association or other business entity, with respect to which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries has the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such entity by contract or otherwise, or if in accordance with GAAP such entity is consolidated with such Person for financial statement purposes.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture (except as provided in Section 8.3).
“Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture, and thereafter means the successor, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct non-callable obligations of, or non-callable obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which obligation or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.
1.2 OTHER DEFINITIONS.
The definitions of the following terms may be found in the sections indicated as follows:
| TERM | DEFINED IN SECTION |
| “Bankruptcy Law” | 6.1 |
| “Business Day” | 10.7 |
| “Covenant Defeasance” | 9.3 |
| “Custodian” | 6.1 |
| “Event of Default” | 6.1 |
| “Journal” | 10.15 |
| “Judgment Currency” | 10.16 |
| “Legal Defeasance” | 9.2 |
| “Legal Holiday” | 10.7 |
| “Market Exchange Rate” | 10.15 |
| “Paying Agent” | 2.4 |
| “Place of Payment” | 10.7 |
| “Registrar” | 2.4 |
| “Required Currency” | 10.16 |
| “Service Agent” | 2.4 |
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1.3 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the portion of such provision required to be incorporated herein in order for this Indenture to be qualified under the TIA is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“Indenture securities” means the Securities.
“Indenture securityholder” means a Holder or Securityholder.
“Indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“Indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“Obligor on the indenture securities” means the Company.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings therein assigned to them.
1.4 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it herein, whether defined expressly or by reference;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(5) words used herein implying any gender shall apply to each gender; and
(6) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
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ARTICLE 2 - THE SECURITIES
2.1 ISSUABLE IN SERIES.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is $[_________]. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, Stated Maturity, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, PROVIDED, that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
2.2 ESTABLISHMENT OF TERMS OF SERIES OF SECURITIES.
At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2(1) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2(2) through 2.2(24)) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, in each case, pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:
(1) the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 8.5);
(3) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
(4) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
(5) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;
(6) the place or places where the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of the Series shall be payable, or the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
(7) if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(9) the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof, and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;
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(10) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
(11) the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer (if to be issued outside of the United States of America) or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities);
(12) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;
(13) the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency, including, but not limited to, the Euro, and, if such currency of denomination is a composite currency other than the Euro, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;
(14) the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of the Series will be made;
(15) if payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;
(16) the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of the Series will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;
(17) the provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for the Securities of the Series;
(18) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles 4 or 5 that applies to Securities of the Series;
(19) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series, any provision for the payment of additional interest or liquidated damages in connection with any Event of Default, and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;
(20) the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion of the Securities into or exchange of the Securities for shares of common stock, preferred stock, other debt securities or warrants for common stock, preferred stock or other securities of any kind of the Company that apply to Securities of the Series;
(21) any Trustees, depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein;
(22) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to other Indebtedness of the Company;
(23) if applicable, that the Securities of the Series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Article 9; and
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(24) any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 8.1, but which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series).
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time, and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, however, the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.
2.3 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company or an Officer and an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Each such signature may be either manual or facsimile. The Company’s seal may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or reproduced on the Securities and may be in facsimile form.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of any Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised in writing by outside counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or vice-presidents shall reasonably determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability, or cause it to have a conflict of interest with respect to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Any appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by an authorized officer of the Trustee, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Company. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
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2.4 REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.
The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any Series of Securities (i) an office or agency where such Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”), (ii) an office or agency where such Securities may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”), and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the register for the Securities maintained by the Registrar), and (iii) an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office, or to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee as set forth in Section 10.2. If the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it for the payment of principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or any other Agent without notice to any Securityholder.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as such office of the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of such designation or rescission, and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or agent for service of notices and demands, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued. The Company designates ______________, as the Paying Agent, with offices at _________________.
2.5 PAYING AGENT TO HOLD ASSETS IN TRUST.
The Trustee as Paying Agent shall, and the Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that each Paying Agent shall, hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of any Series of Securities or the Trustee all assets held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Series of Securities (whether such assets have been distributed to it by the Company or any other obligor on such Series of Securities), and the Company and the Paying Agent shall notify the Trustee in writing of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor on such Series of Securities) in making any such payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to distribute all assets held by it to the Trustee and account for any assets disbursed, and the Trustee may, at any time during the continuance of any payment default with respect to any Series of Securities, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to distribute all assets held by it to the Trustee and to account for any assets distributed. Upon distribution to the Trustee of all assets that shall have been delivered by the Company to the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for such assets.
2.6 SECURITYHOLDER LISTS.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee as of each regular record date for the payment of interest on the Securities of a Series and before each related Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
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2.7 TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
When Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar with a request to register the transfer thereof, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of applicable law are met, and when such Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of other authorized denominations of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested. To permit transfers and exchanges, upon surrender of any Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 2.4, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request.
If Securities are issued as Global Securities, the provisions of Section 2.15 shall apply.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Registrar or a co-registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar or a co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except that the Company may require payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to a transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.6 or 8.5. The Trustee shall not be required to register transfers of Securities of any Series, or to exchange Securities of any Series, for a period of 15 days before the record date for selection for redemption of such Securities. The Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register transfers of Securities of any Series called or being called for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of such Security being redeemed in part.
2.8 REPLACEMENT SECURITIES.
If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security presents evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. An indemnity bond may be required by the Company or the Trustee that is sufficient in the reasonable judgment of the Company or the Trustee, as the case may be, to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company may charge such Holder for the Company’s out-of-pocket expenses in replacing a Security, including the fees and expenses of the Trustee. Every replacement Security shall constitute an original additional obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.
2.9 OUTSTANDING SECURITIES.
Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee, except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.9 as not outstanding.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8 (other than a mutilated Security surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding until the Company and the Trustee receive proof satisfactory to each of them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser. A mutilated Security ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Security and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.8.
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If a Paying Agent holds on a Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity money sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on, Securities payable on that date, and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders thereof pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (PROVIDED, that if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made), then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
A Security does not cease to be outstanding solely because the Company or an Affiliate holds the Security.
2.10 WHEN TREASURY SECURITIES DISREGARDED; DETERMINATION OF HOLDERS’ ACTION.
In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, the Securities of any Series owned by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities, or by any Affiliate of any of them, shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities of such Series which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities of such Series so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to the Securities of such Series and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of such Series, or an Affiliate of any of them.
2.11 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form, and shall carry all rights, of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate, definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities without charge to the Holder.
2.12 CANCELLATION.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption or registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any sinking fund payment, shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent, and no one else, shall cancel, and at the written request of the Company shall dispose of, all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation. If the Company shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.12. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section 2.12, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.
2.13 PAYMENT OF INTEREST; DEFAULTED INTEREST; COMPUTATION OF INTEREST.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.2 with respect to any Series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest, as provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the terms of such Series.
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If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it shall pay the defaulted amounts, plus any interest payable on defaulted amounts pursuant to Section 4.1, to the Persons who are Securityholders on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, or the next succeeding Business Day if such date is not a Business Day. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed to each Securityholder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on such defaulted interest, if any, to be paid.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series, interest on the Securities of each Series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2.14 CUSIP NUMBER.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use one or more “CUSIP” numbers, and, if the Company does so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number(s) in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders, PROVIDED, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number(s) printed in the notice or on the Securities, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and that any such redemption or exchange shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of any such numbers.
2.15 PROVISIONS FOR GLOBAL SECURITIES.
(a) A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, and the Depository for such Global Securities or Securities.
(b) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 and in addition thereto, if, and only if the Depository (i) at any time is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and (ii) a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date the Company is so informed in writing or becomes aware of the same, the Company promptly will execute and deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of such definitive Securities (which the Company will promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee) and an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable, will authenticate and deliver definitive Securities, without charge, registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depository shall direct in writing (pursuant to instructions from its direct and indirect participants or otherwise) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms. Upon the exchange of a Global Security for definitive Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Securities, as provided in this Section 2.15(b), a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.
(c) Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to, and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”
(d) The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
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(e) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, any Global Security shall be made to the Depository or its nominee in its capacity as the Holder thereof.
(f) Except as provided in Section 2.15(e) above, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a Person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of any Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depository (which may be in the form of a participants’ list for such Series) with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, PROVIDED, that until the Trustee is so provided with a written statement, it may treat the Depository or any other Person in whose name a Global Security is registered as the owner of such Global Security for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, and any premium and (subject to Section 2.13) any interest on, such Global Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
2.16 PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, and any premium and (subject to Section 2.13) any interest on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar or any agent of the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
ARTICLE 3 - REDEMPTION
3.1 NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.
The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities, or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof, prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities or the related Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company elects to redeem all or part of such Series of Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed at least 45 days (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before the Redemption Date. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any Holder, and shall thereby be void and of no effect.
3.2 SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of a Series to be redeemed pro rata, by lot or by any other method that the Trustee considers fair and appropriate (unless the Company specifically directs the Trustee otherwise) and, if such Securities are listed on any securities exchange, by a method that complies with the requirements of such exchange.
The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of a Series outstanding and not previously called for redemption, and shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Security selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed at least 35 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date. Securities of a Series in denominations of $1,000 may be redeemed only in whole. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of a Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of a Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2(10), the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.
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3.3 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days, and no more than 60 days, before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail, or cause to be mailed, a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at his or her last address as the same appears on the registry books maintained by the Registrar. The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the redemption price, and that such redemption price shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date;
(3) if any Security of a Series is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security of a Series to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date and upon surrender of such Security of a Series, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued;
(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(5) that Securities of a Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, and the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for such payment;
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on the Securities of a Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Securities is to receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;
(7) if fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Securities of a Series (or portion thereof) to be redeemed, as well as the aggregate principal amount of Securities of a Series to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Securities of a Series to be outstanding after such partial redemption.
(8) the CUSIP number, if any, printed on the Securities being redeemed; and
(9) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s sole expense.
3.4 EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.3 is mailed, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption price, plus interest, if any, accrued to the Redemption Date. Upon surrender to the Trustee or Paying Agent, such Securities of a Series shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; PROVIDED, that if the Redemption Date is after a regular interest payment record date and on or prior to the next Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Securities registered on the relevant record date, as specified by the Company in the notice to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.1.
3.5 DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.
On or prior to the Redemption Date (but no later than 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time on such date), the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
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On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, Securities called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with the preceding paragraph and the Company and the Paying Agent are not prohibited from paying such moneys to Holders, the Securities called for redemption will cease to accrue interest and the only right of the Holders of such Securities will be to receive payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the proviso in Section 3.4, accrued and unpaid interest on such Securities to the Redemption Date. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid, interest will be paid, from the Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid principal of the Security and any interest or premium, if any, not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate and in the manner provided in the Securities.
3.6 SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART.
Upon surrender of a Security of a Series that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate, for a Holder a new Security of the same Series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
ARTICLE 4 - COVENANTS
4.1 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES.
The Company shall pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, each Series of Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in such Securities and this Indenture.
An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay such installment and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or otherwise.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal, and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Series of Securities.
4.2 SEC REPORTS.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after the filing of the same with the SEC, copies of the quarterly and annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports, if any, which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that each such report or document will be deemed to be so delivered to the Trustee if the Company files such report or document with the SEC through the SEC’s EDGAR database no later than the time such report or document is required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will file with the SEC, to the extent permitted, and provide the Trustee with, such quarterly and annual reports and such information, documents and other reports specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company will also comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
4.3 WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead (as a defense or otherwise) or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension, usury or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, and/or interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company hereby expressly waives (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
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4.4 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate which complies with TIA Section 314(a)(4) stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and that there is no default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities is prohibited, or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(b) (i) If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) if any Holder seeks to exercise any remedy hereunder with respect to a claimed Default under this Indenture or the Securities, within five Business Days after the Company becoming aware of such occurrence the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying such event, notice or other action and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
4.5 CORPORATE EXISTENCE.
Subject to Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, in accordance with the organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or its corporate existence, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
ARTICLE 5 - SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
5.1 LIMITATION ON CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS.
(a) The Company will not, in any transaction or series of transactions, merge or consolidate with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets (as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in one transaction or a series of related transactions), to any Person or Persons, unless at the time of and after giving effect thereto (i) either (A) if the transaction or series of transactions is a merger or consolidation, the Company shall be the surviving Person of such merger or consolidation, or (B) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Company are transferred (any such surviving Person or transferee Person being the “Surviving Entity”) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or a corporation or comparable legal entity organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and shall expressly assume by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company (including, without limitation, the obligation to pay the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, the Securities and the performance of the other covenants) under the Securities of each Series and this Indenture, and in each case, this Indenture shall remain in full force and effect; and (ii) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(b) In connection with any consolidation, merger or transfer of assets contemplated by this Section 5.1, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer, and the supplemental indenture in respect thereto, comply with this Section 5.1, and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction or transactions have been complied with.
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5.2 SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED.
Upon any consolidation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1 above, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company is merged or to which such transfer is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter (except with respect to any such transfer which is a lease) the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE 6 - DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
6.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
“Events of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(1) there is a default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Securities when the same becomes due and payable at Maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;
(2) there is a default in the payment of any interest on any Security of a Series when the same becomes due and payable, and the Default continues for a period of 30 days;
(3) the Company defaults in the observance or performance of any other covenant in the Securities of a Series or in this Indenture for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding, which notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default”;
(4) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case,
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; or
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(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days; or
(6) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2(19).
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee may withhold notice of any Default (except in the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities) to the Holders of the Securities of any Series in accordance with Section 7.5. When a Default is cured, it ceases to exist.
6.2 ACCELERATION.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default arising under Section 6.1(4) or (5)) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by written notice to the Company, or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series then outstanding by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare that the entire principal amount of all the Securities of that Series then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of acceleration are immediately due and payable, in which case such amounts shall become immediately due and payable; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that after such acceleration but before a judgment or decree based on such acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may rescind and annul such acceleration and its consequences if (i) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, interest or premium, if any, that has become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived, (ii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid and (iii) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto. In case an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(4) or (5) with respect to the Company occurs, such principal, premium, if any, and interest amount with respect to all of the Securities of that Series shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities of that Series.
6.3 REMEDIES.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of that Series, or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that Series or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of that Series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
6.4 WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
Subject to Sections 6.2, 6.7 and 8.2, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding have the right to waive any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series or compliance with any provision of this Indenture (with respect to such Series) or the Securities of such Series. Upon any such waiver, such Default with respect to such Series shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to such Series arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto. This Section 6.4 shall be in lieu of TIA Section 316(a)(1)(B), and TIA Section 316(a)(1)(B) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and Section as permitted by the TIA.
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6.5 CONTROL BY MAJORITY.
Subject to Sections 6.2, 6.7 and 8.2, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee by this Indenture with respect to such Series. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Securityholder, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; PROVIDED, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. This Section 6.5 shall be in lieu of TIA Section 316(a)(1)(A), and TIA Section 316(a)(1)(A) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and Section as permitted by the TIA.
6.6 LIMITATION ON SUITS.
Subject to Section 6.7, a Securityholder may not institute any proceeding or pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of a Series unless:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding.
A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder, or to obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder.
6.7 RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security of a Series to receive payment of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Security of such Series on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security of such Series, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional, and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
6.8 COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.
If an Event of Default in payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, specified in Section 6.1(1) or (2) with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities of that Series) for the whole amount of unpaid principal and premium, if any, and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate then borne by the Securities of that Series, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, as set forth in Section 7.7.
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6.9 TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.
The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents, and take other actions (including sitting on a committee of creditors), as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities), any of their respective creditors or any of their respective property, and the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after deduction of its charges and expenses to the extent that any such charges and expenses are not paid out of the estate in any such proceedings, and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of a Series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceedings.
6.10 PRIORITIES.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.7;
SECOND: to Securityholders for amounts then due and unpaid for the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities in respect of which, or for the benefit of which, such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities; for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: to the Company.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
6.11 UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of a Series then outstanding.
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ARTICLE 7 - TRUSTEE
7.1 DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the same circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no covenants or obligations shall be implied in this Indenture against the Trustee.
(2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture, but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.1.
(2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Sections 6.2 and 6.5.
(d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds, or otherwise incur any financial liability, in the performance of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 7.1 shall govern every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee.
(f) The Trustee and Paying Agent shall not be liable for interest on any money received by either of them, except as the Trustee and Paying Agent may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by the law.
(g) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of this Section 7.1 and in Section 7.2 with respect to the Trustee.
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7.2 RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
(a) Subject to Section 7.1:
(1) The Trustee may rely on, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(2) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 10.5. The Trustee shall be protected and shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.
(3) The Trustee may act through agents and attorneys, and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed by it with due care.
(4) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.
(5) The Trustee may consult with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, which may be counsel to the Company, and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(6) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.
(7) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any fact or matter (including, without limitation, a Default or Event of Default) unless such fact or matter is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.
(8) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Securities of a Series or the related Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall not have any responsibility with respect to reports, notices, certificates or other documents filed with it hereunder, except to make them available for inspection, at reasonable times, by Securityholders, it being understood that delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (except as set forth in Section 4.4).
7.3 INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities, and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform services for or otherwise deal with the Company, or any Affiliate thereof, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee, however, shall be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
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7.4 TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER.
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities (except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture and authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder), and the Trustee shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the sale of Securities or any money paid to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its certificates of authentication.
7.5 NOTICE OF DEFAULT.
If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series, and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series notice of the Default or the Event of Default, as the case may be, within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default (except if such Default or Event of Default has been validly cured or waived before the giving of such notice). Except in the case of a Default or an Event of Default in payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Board of Directors of the Trustee, the executive committee or any trust committee of such board and/or its Responsible Officers in good faith determine(s) that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of that Series.
7.6 REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS.
If and to the extent required by the TIA, within 60 days after April 1 of each year, commencing the April 1 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of such April 1 that complies with TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Sections 313(b) and 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be filed with the SEC and any stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof, and the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 313(d).
7.7 COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee within 45 days after receipt of request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements and expenses incurred or made by it in connection with its duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless against, any and all loss or liability incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties under this Indenture including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee for which it may seek indemnity.
The failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not however relieve the Company of its obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company need not reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnify it against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through its negligence or bad faith. To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section 7.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee except such money or property held in trust to pay the principal of, interest and premium, if any, on particular Securities of that Series.
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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(4) or (5) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
For purposes of this Section 7.7, the term “Trustee” shall include any trustee appointed pursuant to this Article 7.
7.8 REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE.
The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company in writing at least 90 days in advance of such resignation.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by notifying the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to that Series with the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series at its election if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with, or ceases to be eligible under, Section 7.10;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent, or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee, under any Bankruptcy Law;
(3) a Custodian or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
(5) If the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee, with respect to any Series of Securities for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint, by Board Resolution, a successor Trustee.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately following such delivery, (i) the retiring Trustee with respect to one or more Series shall, subject to its rights under Section 7.7, transfer all property held by it as Trustee with respect to such Series to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and (iii) the successor Trustee with respect to such Series shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series shall mail notice of its succession to each Securityholder of such Series.
7.9 SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR CONVERSION.
If the Trustee, or any Agent, consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another corporation, subject to Section 7.10, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee or Agent, as the case may be.
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7.10 ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) in every respect. The Trustee (or in the case of a Trustee that is a Person included in a bank holding company system, the related bank holding company) shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b), including the provision in Section 310(b)(1). In addition, if the Trustee is a Person included in a bank holding company system, the Trustee, independently of such bank holding company, shall meet the capital requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(2). If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.10, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article 7.
7.11 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.
The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
7.12 PAYING AGENTS.
The Company shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to it and the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.12:
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as agent for the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of Holders of the Securities or the Trustee;
(2) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon written request from the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it together with a full accounting thereof; and
(3) that it will give the Trustee written notice within three Business Days after any failure of the Company (or by any obligor on the Securities) in the payment of any installment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities when the same shall be due and payable.
ARTICLE 8 - AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
8.1 WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS.
The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:
(1) to comply with Section 5.1;
(2) to provide for certificated Securities in addition to uncertificated Securities;
(3) to comply with any requirements of the SEC under the TIA;
(4) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to make any other change herein or in the Securities that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;
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(5) to provide for the issuance of, and establish the form and terms and conditions of, Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture; or
(6) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series, and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.
8.2 WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS.
(a) The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series with the written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series affected by such amendment or supplement without notice to any Securityholder. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each such Series affected by such amendment or supplement may waive compliance by the Company in a particular instance with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such Series without notice to any Securityholder. Subject to Section 8.4, without the consent of each Securityholder affected, however, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver to this Indenture or the Securities;
(2) reduce the rate of, or change the time for payment of, interest on any Security;
(3) reduce the principal, or change the Stated Maturity, of any Security, or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
(4) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the Security;
(5) change the amount or time of any payment required by the Securities, or reduce the premium payable upon any redemption of the Securities, or change the time before which no such redemption may be made;
(6) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security, or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any Securities;
(8) make any changes in Section 6.6 or this Section 8.2, except to increase any percentage of Securities the Holders of which must consent to any matter; or
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(9) take any other action otherwise prohibited by this Indenture to be taken without the consent of each Holder affected thereby.
(b) Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Securityholders as aforesaid and of the documents described in Section 8.6, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture, unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.
(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment or supplement under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing the amendment or supplement. Any failure of the Company to mail any such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any supplemental indenture.
8.3 COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
Every amendment to, or supplement of, this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
8.4 REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.
Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Security or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. Any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security, if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver, which record date shall be at least 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver, or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.
After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 8.2. In that case, the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security; PROVIDED, that any such waiver shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, a Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.
8.5 NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES.
If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security of any Series, the Trustee may request the Holder of such Security to deliver it to the Trustee. In such case, the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on such Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, the Company, in exchange for such Security, may issue, and the Trustee shall authenticate, a new security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
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8.6 TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.
The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 8 if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.1, shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplement until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it.
ARTICLE 9 - DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
9.1 DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.
The Company may terminate its obligations under the Securities of any Series and this Indenture with respect to such Series, except the obligations referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 9.1, if there shall have been canceled by the Trustee, or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, all Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Securities of such Series that are asserted to have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced as provided in Section 2.8) and the Company has paid all sums payable by it hereunder or deposited all required sums with the Trustee.
After such delivery the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in a writing prepared by or on behalf of the Company the discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such Series and this Indenture, except for those surviving obligations specified below.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company in Sections 7.7, 9.5 and 9.6 shall survive.
9.2 LEGAL DEFEASANCE.
The Company may at its option, by Board Resolution, be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Securities of any Series on the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 9.4 below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Securities of such Series and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, subject to Section 9.6, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, as are delivered to it by the Company), except for the following, which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such Series to receive solely from the trust funds described in Section 9.4 and as more fully set forth in such section, payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of such Series when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities of such Series under Sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8 and 2.9, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.7) and (D) this Article 9. Subject to compliance with this Article 9, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 9.2 with respect to the Securities of any Series notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.3 below with respect to the Securities of such Series.
9.3 COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
At the option of the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Company shall be released from its obligations with respect to the outstanding Securities of any Series under Sections 4.2 through 4.5, inclusive, and Section 5.1, with respect to the outstanding Securities of such Series, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.4 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified section or portion thereof, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Securities of any Series shall be unaffected thereby.
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9.4 CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 9.2 or Section 9.3 to the outstanding Securities of a Series:
(1) the Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article 9 applicable to it) as funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of, and accrued interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding Securities of such Series at the Stated Maturity of such principal, interest or premium, if any, or on dates for payment and redemption of such principal, interest and premium, if any, selected in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Securities of such Series;
(2) no Event of Default or Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, or shall have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit or, if longer, ending on the day following the expiration of the longest preference period under any Bankruptcy Law applicable to the Company in respect of such deposit as specified in the Opinion of Counsel identified in paragraph (8) below (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);
(3) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the TIA with respect to any securities of the Company;
(4) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
(5) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that, as a result of such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, neither the trust nor the Trustee will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
(6) in the case of an election under Section 9.2, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that or (ii) there has been a change in any applicable Federal income tax law with the effect that, and such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such Series or Persons in their positions will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes solely as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner, including as a result of prepayment, and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(7) in the case of an election under Section 9.3, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance, and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(8) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Article 9 relating to either the Legal Defeasance under Section 9.2 or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 9.3 (as the case may be) have been complied with;
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(9) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and
(10) the Company shall have paid, or duly provided for payment under terms mutually satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee, all amounts then due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.7.
9.5 DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
All money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.4 in respect of the outstanding Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, accrued interest and premium, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.4 or the principal, interest and premium, if any, received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article 9 to the contrary notwithstanding, but subject to payment of any of its outstanding fees and expenses, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held by the Trustee as provided in Section 9.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
9.6 REINSTATEMENT.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 or 9.4 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 9 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 or 9.4; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, or accrued interest or premium, if any, on, any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
9.7 MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee, or, if sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.1, to the Company, and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
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9.8 MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE.
Any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held by the Company in trust for the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any Security that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such Security for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Security shall have respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Company upon Company Request, or if such moneys are then held by the Company in trust, such moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Security entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Company, either mail to each Securityholder affected, at the address shown in the register of the Securities maintained by the Registrar, or cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of San Antonio, Texas, a notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining will be repaid to the Company. After payment to the Company or the release of any money held in trust by the Company, Securityholders entitled to the money must look only to the Company for payment as general creditors, unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
ARTICLE 10 - MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
10.2 NOTICES.
Any notice or communication shall be given in writing and delivered in Person, sent by facsimile (and receipt confirmed by telephone or electronic transmission report), delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
Valion Bio, Inc.
1305 E. Houston Street, Building 1, Suite 311
San Antonio, TX 78205
Attention: Lisa Wolf
Copy to:
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
3611 Valley Centre Drive, Suite 500
San Diego, CA 92130
Attention: Christopher L. Tinen
Telephone: (858) 910-4809
If to the Trustee:
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The Company or the Trustee by written notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications. Any notice or communication to the Company or the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date so delivered if personally delivered; when receipt is confirmed by telephone or electronic transmission report, if sent by facsimile; and three Business Days after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (except that a notice of change of address shall not be deemed to have been given until actually received by the addressee).
Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed to such Securityholder by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at such Securityholder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.
Failure to mail, or any defect in, a notice or communication to a Securityholder shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If a notice or communication to a Securityholder is mailed in the manner provided above, it shall be deemed duly given, three Business Days after such mailing, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.
In the case of Global Securities, notices or communications to be given to Securityholders shall be given to the Depository, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time.
In addition to the manner provided for in the foregoing provisions, notices or communications to Securityholders shall be given by the Company by release made to Reuters Economic Services and Bloomberg Business News.
10.3 COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS.
Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or any other Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
10.4 CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 10.5 below) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 10.5 below) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
10.5 STATEMENT REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE AND OPINION.
Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.4) shall include:
(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
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(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, it or he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable it or him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
10.6 RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at meetings of Securityholders. The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
10.7 BUSINESS DAYS; LEGAL HOLIDAYS; PLACE OF PAYMENT.
A “Business Day” is a day that is not a Legal Holiday. A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday, a federally-recognized holiday or a day on which banking institutions are not authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be open in the State of Texas.
If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. “Place of Payment” means the place or places where the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of a Series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 2.2. If the regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
10.8 GOVERNING LAW.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
10.9 NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan, security or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof. No such indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture.
10.10 NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.
A director, officer, employee, stockholder or incorporator, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.
10.11 SUCCESSORS.
All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind the Company’s successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns.
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10.12 MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS.
The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture. Each signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent one and the same agreement.
10.13 TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.
The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
10.14 SEVERABILITY.
Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable, and if for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the basic purpose of this Indenture or the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and a Holder shall have no claim therefor against any party hereto.
10.15 SECURITIES IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY OR IN EUROS.
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including Euros), then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 10.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in the case of Euros, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by the Commission of the European Union (or any successor thereto) as published in the Official Journal of the European Union (such publication or any successor publication, the “Journal”). If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of Euros, the rate of exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available date, or quotations or, in the case of Euros, rates of exchange from one or more major banks in New York City or in the country of issue of the currency in question or, in the case of Euros, in Luxembourg or such other quotations or, in the case of Euros, rates of exchange as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in the Trustee’s sole discretion, and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.
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10.16 JUDGMENT CURRENCY.
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, or other amount on, the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Business Day, in which instance, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)) in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
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VALION BIO, INC.
By:________________________________________
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[Name of Trustee]
By:________________________________________
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| By:________________________________________ Name:_____________________________________ Title:______________________________________ |
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Exhibit 5.1
October 7, 2026
Valion Bio, Inc.
1305 E. Houston Street, Building 1, Suite 311
San Antonio, TX 78205
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Valion Bio, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), on the date hereof. The Registration Statement relates to the proposed offer and sale by the Company from time to time, in one or more offerings, as set forth in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”) and as shall be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”), of up to $100,000,000 of securities, which may include any or all of the following: (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”); (ii) shares of one or more series of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”); (iii) one or more series of the debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”); (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (“Warrants”); (v) subscription rights to purchase shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (“Rights”); and (vi) units, each representing ownership of one or more shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants and Rights or any combination of the foregoing (“Units”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights and Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
We also have acted as counsel to the Company in connection with an offering of up to $5,000,000 of shares of Common Stock that may be issued and sold (the “Sales Agreement Shares”) under an At The Market Offering Agreement executed by the Company and Rodman & Renshaw LLC on October 7, 2026 (the “Sales Agreement”). The prospectus for the offer and sale of the Sales Agreement Shares (the “Sales Agreement Prospectus”) is included in the Registration Statement.
In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined the Registration Statement and originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, as currently in effect (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended, as currently in effect (the “Bylaws”), certain resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the Registration Statement, the Sales Agreement and such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed appropriate for purposes of the opinions set forth herein.
We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of the documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, facsimile or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. With respect to matters of fact relevant to our opinions as set forth below, we have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company, representations made by the Company in documents examined by us and representations of officers of the Company. We also have obtained and relied upon such certificates and assurances from public officials as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of our opinions set forth below.
For the purpose of the opinions set forth below, we have also assumed, without independent investigation or verification, that:
| · | the issuance, sale, number or amount, as the case may be, and terms of Securities to be offered from time to time will be duly authorized and established by the authorizing resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws and applicable Delaware law (each, a “Corporate Action”), and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is subject; |
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| · | prior to the issuance of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock, an appropriate certificate of designation relating to each such series of Preferred Stock will have been duly authorized by Corporate Action and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; | |
| · | any Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture appropriate for the type of Debt Securities to be issued, as more particularly described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt Securities (an “Indenture”), between the Company and the trustee to be named in such Indenture (a “Trustee”); the execution, delivery and performance of such Indenture will be duly authorized by Corporate Action, and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is subject; | |
| · | any Indenture will be duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee thereunder; such Indenture and Trustee will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; | |
| · | to the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Indenture may depend upon such matters, the Trustee thereunder will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that such Trustee will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Indenture; that such Indenture will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee thereunder and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Trustee, enforceable against such Trustee in accordance with its terms; that such Trustee will be in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as a trustee under such Indenture, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that such Trustee will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such Indenture; | |
| · | any Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and either the purchaser(s) of such warrant or a financial institution identified in the Warrant Agreement as a warrant agent (each, a “Warrant Agent”); and that the execution, delivery and performance of the applicable Warrant Agreement will be duly authorized by Corporate Action, and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is subject; | |
| · | to the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Warrant Agreement may depend upon such matters, each of the parties thereto, other than the Company, will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such Warrant Agreement; that such Warrant Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such party and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; that such party will be in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as a party with respect to its obligations under such Warrant Agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that such party will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such Warrant Agreement; | |
| · | any Rights will be issued under one or more subscription rights agreements (each, a “Rights Agreement”) between the Company and either the purchaser(s) of such subscription rights or a subscription rights agent identified in the Rights Agreement as a subscription rights agent (each, a “Rights Agent”); and that the execution, delivery and performance of the applicable Rights Agreement will be duly authorized by Corporate Action, and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is subject; | |
| · | to the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Rights Agreement may depend upon such matters, each of the parties thereto, other than the Company, will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such Rights Agreement; that such Rights Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such party and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; that such party will be in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as a party with respect to its obligations under such Rights Agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that such party will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such Rights Agreement; |
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| · | any Units will be issued under one or more unit purchase agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”) between the Company and a unit agent identified in the Unit Agreement as a unit agent (each, a “Unit Agent”); and that the execution, delivery and performance of the applicable Unit Agreement will be duly authorized by Corporate Action, and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is subject; | |
| · | to the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Unit Agreement may depend upon such matters, the Unit Agent with respect to such Unit Agreement will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that such Unit Agent will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such Unit Agreement; that such Unit Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Unit Agent and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Unit Agent, enforceable against such Unit Agent in accordance with its terms; that such Unit Agent will be in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as a Unit Agent under such Unit Agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that such Unit Agent will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such Unit Agreement; | |
| · | the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded and will comply with all applicable federal and state laws at the time the Securities are offered and issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement; | |
| · | a Prospectus Supplement will have been prepared, delivered (including without limitation through compliance with Rule 172 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Act) and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered, issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement; | |
| · | all Securities will be issued and all Securities will be sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws; and | |
| · | a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement (each, a “Definitive Agreement”) with respect to any Securities offered or issued will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto. |
Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof:
| 1. | Upon due authorization by Corporate Action of the issuance and sale of shares of Common Stock and upon issuance and delivery of such shares of Common Stock against payment of consideration for such shares (in an amount at least equal to the aggregate par value of such shares of Common Stock) in accordance with the terms and provisions of the applicable Definitive Agreements and the terms of the Corporate Action, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and, if applicable, upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Securities in accordance with their respective terms, the terms of the Corporate Action, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement (which shall, in each case, provide for payment of consideration that shall be at least equal to the aggregate par value of such shares of Common Stock), such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. | |
| 2. | Upon due authorization by Corporate Action of the issuance and sale of shares of a series of Preferred Stock and upon issuance and delivery of such shares of Preferred Stock against payment of consideration for such shares (in an amount at least equal to the aggregate par value of such shares of Preferred Stock) in accordance with the terms and provisions of applicable Definitive Agreements and the terms of the Corporate Action, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and, if applicable, upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Securities in accordance with their respective terms, the terms of the Corporate Action and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement (which shall, in either case, provide for payment of consideration at least equal to the aggregate par value of such shares of Preferred Stock), such shares of such series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
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| 3. | When the specific terms of a particular issuance of Debt Securities have been duly authorized by Corporate Action and are in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, completed, issued and delivered, against payment for such Debt Securities, in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Indenture and the applicable Definitive Agreements, the terms of the Corporate Action and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, such Debt Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the Company and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture. | |
| 4. | When a Warrant Agreement providing for the specific terms of a particular issuance of Warrants has been duly authorized by Corporate Action and has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent named in such Warrant Agreement and such Warrants, conforming to the requirements of such Warrant Agreement, have been duly countersigned or authenticated, as required, by such Warrant Agent and duly executed and delivered by the Company against payment for such Warrants in accordance with the terms and provisions of such Warrant Agreement and applicable Definitive Agreements and the terms of the Corporate Action, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, such Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company. | |
| 5. | When a Rights Agreement providing for the specific terms of a particular issuance of Rights has been duly authorized by Corporate Action and has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Rights Agent named in such Rights Agreement and such Rights, conforming to the requirements of such Rights Agreement, have been duly countersigned or authenticated, as required, by such Rights Agent and duly executed and delivered by the Company against payment for such Rights in accordance with the terms and provisions of such Rights Agreement and applicable Definitive Agreements and the terms of the Corporate Action, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, such Rights will be valid and binding obligations of the Company. | |
| 6. | When a Unit Agreement providing for the specific terms of a particular issuance of Units has been duly authorized by Corporate Action and has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Unit Agent named in such Unit Agreement and such Units, conforming to the requirements of such Unit Agreement, have been duly countersigned or authenticated, as required, by such Unit Agent and duly executed and delivered by the Company against payment for such Units in accordance with the terms and provisions of such Unit Agreement and applicable Definitive Agreements and the terms of the Corporate Action, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, such Units will be valid and binding obligations of the Company. | |
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Upon due authorization by Corporate Action of the issuance and sale of the Sales Agreement Shares, when the Sales Agreement Shares shall have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent and registrar therefor in the name or on behalf of the purchasers, and have been issued by the Company against payment therefor (not less than par value) in accordance with the Corporate Action and the terms of the Sales Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Sales Agreement Shares will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Sales Agreement Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have assumed that (i) the Company will comply with all applicable notice requirements regarding uncertificated shares provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, (ii) upon the issuance of any of the Sales Agreement Shares, the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and (iii) certain terms of the Sales Agreement Shares to be issued by the Company from time to time will be authorized and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or one or more committees thereof established by the Board of Directors of the Company with the authority to issue and sell the Sales Agreement Shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement in accordance with such Corporate Action prior to the issuance thereof. |
The opinions set forth above are subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights or remedies generally, (ii) general principles of equity (whether such principles are considered in a proceeding at law or equity), including the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought, concepts of good faith, reasonableness and fair dealing and standards of materiality, and (iii) limitations on enforceability to the extent that acceleration of indebtedness under any Debt Security may impair collectability of that portion, if any, of the principal amount thereof that might be determined to be unearned interest thereon.
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The foregoing opinions are limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States of America and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other state or jurisdiction. Although the Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, the opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws, including rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in each of the Prospectus and the Sales Agreement Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder.
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Very truly yours,
/s/ Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. |
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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related prospectus of our report dated March 30, 2026 (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about Valion Bio, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern) relating to the financial statements of Valion Bio, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A.
Somerset, New Jersey
October 7, 2026