6-K
Jin Medical International Ltd. (ZJYL)
UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUERPURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDERTHE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of July 2026
Commission File Number: 001-41661
JIN MEDICAL INTERNATIONALLTD.(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
No. 33 Lingxiang Road, Wujin DistrictChangzhou City, Jiangsu ProvincePeople’s Republic of China(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ON FORM6-K
Resignation and Appointment of Director
On July 9, 2026, Dr. Jiayuan (James) Tong notified the board of directors (the “Board”) of Jin Medical International Ltd. (the “Company”) of his resignation as an independent director of the Company, effective immediately. Dr. Tong also resigned as the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and as a member of each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Dr. Tong’s resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Company relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
On July 13, 2026, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board appointed Mr. Ning Xue to serve as an independent director of the Company, effective July 14, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by Dr. Tong’s resignation. The Board also appointed Mr. Xue to serve as Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Mr. Xue is an entrepreneur. He founded Beijing Taijibao Technology Co., Ltd. in August 2016 and has served as its CEO since. Beijing Taijibao Technology Co., Ltd. is a service provider that provides SAAS platform. He founded an e-commerce company, Shitong United Trading Co., Ltd., in November 2014, and ran the company until April 2016. From August 2011 to May 2015, he served as the CEO of Beijing Ronzhiyun Culture Co., Ltd., which is a company that manages and promotes brand awareness for clients. Mr. Xue also previously served as an independent director of TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Ltd. (formerly listed on Nasdaq) from January 2025 until January 2026. He graduated from Beijing Technology and Business University in July 2011, majoring in Business Management.
The Board has determined that Mr. Xue satisfies the independence requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) and qualifies as an independent director. The Board has further determined that Mr. Xue satisfies the additional independence requirements applicable to members of the Audit Committee under Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c).
There are no family relationships between Mr. Xue and any director or executive officer of the Company. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Xue and any other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as a director. There are no transactions between the Company and Mr. Xue requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In connection with Mr. Xue’s appointment as an independent director, the Company and Mr. Xue entered into an Independent Director Agreement and an Indemnification Agreement. Pursuant to the Independent Director Agreement, Mr. Xue will serve as an independent director for an initial term commencing on July 14, 2026 and ending on March 27, 2027, which may be renewed upon mutual agreement of the parties. Mr. Xue will receive compensation of US$14,082 for his service during such term, payable in quarterly installments, and will be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his duties as an independent director. Pursuant to the Indemnification Agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify Mr. Xue, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, against certain liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with claims arising from his service as a director of the Company. The foregoing summary of the Director Agreement and Indemnification Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
This Report shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-288314) (the “Registration Statement”), and to be a part of the Registration Statement from the date on which this Report is filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.
Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 10.1 | Form of Independent Director Agreement between the Company and Ning Xue |
| 10.2 | Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and Ning Xue |
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Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| JIN MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | /s/ Erqi Wang |
| Name: | Erqi Wang |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Date: July 15, 2026
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Exhibit 10.1
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AGREEMENT
THIS INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of July 13, 2026 (the “Execution Date”), by and between JIN MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LTD., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”) and Ning Xue, a citizen of China, with a permanent residence at Scitech Tower, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China (the “Independent Director”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to engage the Independent Director, and the Independent Director desires to serve, as a non-employee director of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Independent Director, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
- DEFINITIONS.
(a) “Confidential Information” means information disclosed to Independent Director or known by Independent Director (including information conceived, originated, discovered, or developed in whole or in part by Independent Director), about the Company and/or the Company’s business, products, processes, and services, including but not limited to information relating to research, development, data, experimental work, innovations, ideas, improvements, concepts, inventions (including Inventions as such term is defined below), computer programs, designs, engineering data, formulas, systems, intellectual property, sketches, blueprints, flow charts, technology, routines, algorithms, source and object codes, know-how, products and services under development, pricing and pricing strategies, business plans, marketing and selling strategies, servicing, purchasing, accounting, engineering, cost and costing strategies, sources of supply, information about customers and/or suppliers, information related to contracts, customer lists, customer requirements, techniques, business methods or practices, operations, financial information, business forecasts, information related to computer hardware, software, operating systems or the like, training and training programs, prospective business opportunities, and any other information the Company is under an obligation to keep confidential.
(b) “Corporate Status” describes the capacity of the Independent Director with respect to the Company and the services performed by the Independent Director in that capacity.
(c) “Entity” shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, foundation, association, organization or other legal entity.
(d) “Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution process, investigation, administrative hearing, appeal, or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whether formal or informal.
(e) “Expenses” shall mean all reasonable fees, costs and expenses, approved by the Company in advance and reasonably incurred in connection with any Proceeding, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, disbursements and retainers, fees and disbursements of expert witnesses, private investigators, professional advisors (including, without limitation, accountants and investment bankers), court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, travel expenses, duplicating, printing and binding costs, telephone and fax transmission charges, postage, delivery services, secretarial services, and other disbursements and expenses.
(f) “Liabilities” shall mean judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, excise taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement.
(g) “Parent” shall mean any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in any unbroken chain of corporations or other entities ending with the Company, if each of the corporations or entities, other than the Company, owns stock or other interests possessing 50% or more of the economic interest or the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other interests in one of the other corporations or entities in the chain.
(h) “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in any unbroken chain of corporations or other entities beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations or entities, other than the last corporation or entity in the unbroken chain, owns stock or other interests possessing 50% or more of the economic interest or the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other interests in one of the other corporations or entities in the chain.
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- SERVICES OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR. While this Agreement is in effect, the Independent Director shall perform duties as an independent director and/or a member of the committees of the Board, be compensated for such and be reimbursed expenses in accordance with Schedule A attached to this Agreement, subject to the following:
(a) The Independent Director will perform services as is consistent with Independent Director’s position with the Company, as required and authorized by the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, as amended and restated from time to time and in accordance with high professional and ethical standards and all applicable laws and rules and regulations pertaining to the Independent Director’s performance hereunder, including without limitation, laws, rules and regulations relating to a public company.
(b) The Independent Director is under the obligation to attend at least 80% of the Company’s board meetings each year.
(c) The Company may offset any and all monies payable to the Independent Director to the extent of any monies owing to the Company from the Independent Director.
(d) The rules and regulations of the Company notified to the Independent Director, from time to time, apply to the Independent Director. Such rules and regulations are subject to change by the Company in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and rules and regulations of the Company, the terms of this Agreement control.
(e) Any references in this Agreement regarding Independent Director’s duties and obligations to the Company (including, but not limited to, obligations related to confidentiality, and assignment of inventions and work product) include Independent Director’s obligation to the Company’s affiliated entities, which includes the Company’s parent and subsidiary corporations and business entities, if any, and any corporation or other business entity owned or controlled by the Company or under common ownership or control with the Company (each an “Affiliate” and collectively, the “Affiliates”).
REQUIREMENTS OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR. During the term of the Independent Director’s services to the Company hereunder, Independent Director shall observe all applicable laws and regulations relating to independent directors of a public company as promulgated from time to time, and shall not: (1) be an employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary; (2) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee in excess of $120,000 from the Company during any period of twelve consecutive months within the three years preceding the execution of this Agreement other than as a director and/or a member of a committee of the Board; (3) be an affiliated person of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, as the term “affiliate” is defined in 17 CFR 240.10A-3(e)(1), other than in his/her capacity as a director and/or a member of a committee of the Board; (4) possess an interest in any transaction with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, for which disclosure would be required pursuant to 17 CFR 229.404, other than in his capacity as a director and/or a member of a committee of the Board committees; and (5) be engaged in a business relationship with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, for which disclosure would be required pursuant to 17 CFR 229.404, except that the required beneficial interest therein shall be modified to be 5% hereby.
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REPORTING OBLIGATION. While this Agreement is in effect, the Independent Director shall immediately report to the Company in the event: (1) the Independent Director knows or has reason to know or should have known that any of the requirements specified in Section 3 hereof is not satisfied or is not going to be satisfied; and (2) the Independent Director simultaneously serves on an audit committee of any other public company.
TERM AND TERMINATION. The term of this Agreement and the Independent Director’s services hereunder shall be from July 14, 2026 to March 27, 2027. This Agreement and the Independent Director’s services hereunder shall terminate upon the earlier of the following:
(a) Removal of the Independent Director as a director of the Company, upon proper Board or member action in accordance with the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, as amended and restated from time to timethe amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company and applicable law;
(b) Resignation of the Independent Director as a director of the Company upon written notice to the Board of Directors of the Company;
(c) Director’s failure to be reelected by the Company’s members at a meeting duly called for such purpose; or
(d) Termination of this Agreement by the Company, in the event any of the requirements specified in Section 3 hereof is not satisfied, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. In no event shall the Independent Director be individually liable to the Company or its shareholders for any damages for breach of fiduciary duty as an independent director of the Company, unless the Independent Director’s act or failure to act involves intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law.
AGREEMENT OF INDEMNITY. The Company agrees to indemnify the Independent Director pursuant to Article 152 of the Articles of Association of the Company.
AUTHORITY. Each party has all necessary power and authority to enter into, and be bound by the terms of, this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of the undertakings contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by each party hereto.
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall (a) be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all successors and assigns of the Company (including any transferee of all or a substantial portion of the business, stock and/or assets of the Company and any direct or indirect successor by merger or consolidation or otherwise by operation of law), and (b) be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators of the Independent Director. The Independent Director has no power to assign this Agreement or any rights and obligations hereunder.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
(a) OBLIGATION OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR. The Independent Director acknowledges that all Confidential Information is, and for all times after the termination of this Agreement shall remain, the property of the Company. Independent Director agrees that he/she shall not directly or indirectly use, disseminate or disclose any Confidential Information without having first obtained prior written permission from the Company and to obtain such prior written permission whether during the term of this Agreement or after termination of this Agreement, except as shall be necessary in the ordinary course of performing his/her duties as an Independent Director of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. Independent Director shall comply with any additional policies, rules and procedures established by the Company from time to time for the protection of any Confidential Information.
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(b) The parties agree that the following shall not be considered Confidential Information subject to this Agreement: (i) information which prior to the time of disclosure by Company is generally available to the public; (ii) information that, after disclosure by Company, becomes generally available to the public by publication or otherwise, provided that such publication is not in violation of this Agreement or any other confidentiality agreement; or (iii) information Independent Director is compelled to disclose by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction; provided, however, that in such case Independent Director shall immediately give notice to the Company to enable the Company to exercise its legal rights to prevent and/or limit such disclosure. In any event, Independent Director shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, in the opinion of the Company’s legal counsel, is legally required to be disclosed and will exercise reasonable efforts to ensure that any such information so disclosed will be accorded confidential treatment by said court or tribunal.
- Disclosure of Inventions AND ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS.
(a) Independent Director shall promptly disclose orally and in writing to the Company any and all inventions, discoveries, improvements, works, developments, data, works of authorship, documentation, modifications, designs, trade secrets, formulae, techniques, processes and know-how, whether or not subject to protection under patent, copyright, trademark or any other intellectual property right whatsoever or any interest therein (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright, trademarks or similar statutes or subject to analogous protection) and whether or not reduced to practice, which Independent Director, either alone or jointly with others, conceives, creates, discovers, invents or reduces to practice during the term of this Agreement and which (i) relate to or result from the business, work, research or investigation of the Company or any Affiliate, or any business, work, research or investigation which the Company or any Affiliate is considering or expects or plans to be engaged in, (ii) results from tasks or duties assigned to Independent Director by the Company or Independent Director’s performance of his/her obligations under this Agreement, or (iii) results from the use of the Company’s premises or property whether tangible or intangible, owned, leased or contracted for by the Company (collectively referred to as “Inventions”).
(b) All work and work product of any type or description created by Independent Director, both past and future, during the term of this Agreement, related to an Invention, shall be and remain exclusively the property of the Company, and is a “work made for hire” for the benefit of the Company. The Company may file applications to register copyrights as author thereof as well as any and all other ownership and intellectual property rights. Independent Director hereby assigns to the Company all rights, including, without limitation, all copyrights throughout the world, including all renewals and extensions thereof, in and to all copyrightable works as created by Independent Director, both past and future, during the term of this Agreement.
(c) Independent Director acknowledges and agrees that all Inventions shall be the sole property of the Company or any other person or entity designated by the Company (the “Designee”), and Independent Director hereby assigns to the Company or the Designee’s entire right, title and interest in all Inventions.
(d) Independent Director shall, at the Company’s expense assist the Company or the Designee to apply for, obtain, register and from time to time enforce any patent, copyright, trademark or other property right with respect to the Inventions in any and all countries and when so obtained or vested, to renew and restore the same. To that end, by way of illustration but not limitation, Independent Director shall testify in any suit or any other proceeding involving any Invention and execute all documents which the Company or the Designee reasonably determines to be necessary or convenient for use in applying for and obtaining any patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property protection thereon for the Company or the Designee. Independent Director’s obligation to assist the Company or the Designee in obtaining, maintaining and enforcing patent, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights for the Inventions shall continue beyond the cessation of this Agreement, but the Company or the Designee shall compensate Independent Director for reasonable time off work or lost wages at a reasonable rate established in good faith by the Company or the Designee for such purpose (after such cessation of this Agreement) for time actually spent by Independent Director at the Company’s or the Designee’s request on such assistance.
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(e) If the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure Independent Director’s signature as required by this Section 11 on any application for patent, copyright, trademark or other analogous registration or other documents regarding any legal protection relating to an Invention, whether because of Independent Director’s physical or mental incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever, Independent Director hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his/her agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in Independent Director’s behalf and stead to execute and file any such application or applications or other documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patent, copyright or trademark registrations or any other legal protection thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Independent Director.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST. Independent Director shall abide by any policy concerning conflicts of interest that the Company may from time to time have in effect. Independent Director agrees that during the term of this Agreement he/she shall not, acting alone or in conjunction with others, directly or indirectly, become involved in a conflict of interest or, upon discovery thereof, allow such a conflict to continue. Moreover, Independent Director agrees that he/she shall immediately disclose to the Company any facts which might involve any reasonable possibility of a conflict of interest. It is agreed that any direct or indirect interest, connection with, or benefit from any outside activities, where such interest might in any way adversely affect the Company, involves a possible conflict of interest. Circumstances in which a conflict of interest on the part of Independent Director might arise, and which must be reported immediately by Independent Director to the Company, include, but are not limited to, the following:
RETURN OF MATERIALS. All documents and other tangible objects containing or representing Confidential Information and all copies thereof which are in the possession of Independent Director shall be and remain the property of Company and shall be promptly returned to Company or destroyed by Independent Director upon the termination of this Agreement and/or upon Company’s request.
Gender, Etc. Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine or neuter, as the context indicates is appropriate.
CHANGE IN LAW. To the extent that a change in applicable law (whether by statute or judicial decision) shall mandate broader or narrower indemnification than is provided hereunder, the Independent Director shall be subject to such broader or narrower indemnification and this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to such extent.
SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement, or any clause thereof, shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such provision or clause shall be limited or modified in its application to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision or clause valid, legal and enforceable, and the remaining provisions and clauses of this Agreement shall remain fully enforceable and binding on the parties.
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MODIFICATIONS AND WAIVER. Except as provided in Section 15 hereof with respect to changes in applicable law which broaden or narrow the right of the Independent Director to be indemnified by the Company, no supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each of the parties hereto. No delay in exercise or non-exercise by the Company of any right under this Agreement shall operate as a current or future waiver by it as to its same or different rights under this Agreement or otherwise.
NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when delivered by hand, (b) when transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail and receipt is acknowledged, or (c) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date en which it is so mailed:
If to Independent Director, to:
Ning Xue
Scitech Tower, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
If to the Company, to:
No. 33 Lingxiang Road, Wujin District,
Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province,
People’s Republic of China
Attention: Mr. Ziqiang Wang, Chief Financial Officer
GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced under the laws of Cayman Islands.
AGREEMENT GOVERNS. This Agreement is to be deemed consistent wherever possible with relevant provisions of the currently effective memorandum and articles of association of the Company; provided, however, that in the event of a conflict between this Agreement and such provisions, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The parties understand, acknowledge and agree that the Independent Director’s relationship with the Company is that of an independent contractor and nothing in this Agreement is intended to or should be construed to create a relationship other than that of independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a contract of employment/engagement between the Independent Director and the Company or as a commitment on the part of the Company to retain the Independent Director in any capacity, for any period of time or under any specific terms or conditions, or to continue the Independent Director’s service to the Company beyond any period.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Independent Director with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements with respect to such subject matter.
[Remainder of The Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Independent Director Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
| Company: | JIN MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LTD. |
|---|---|
| Authorized Person: | Erqi Wang, CEO |
| Signature: | |
| Independent Director: | Ning Xue |
| Signature: |
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SCHEDULE A
I. POSITION:
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR.
II. COMPENSATION:
FEES. For all services rendered by the Independent Director pursuant to this Agreement, both during and outside of normal working hours, including but not limited to, attending all required meetings of the Board or applicable committees thereof, executive sessions of the independent directors, reviewing filing reports and other corporate documents as requested by the Company, providing comments and opinions as to business matters as requested by the Company, the Company agrees to pay to the Independent Director a fee of $1,4082 USD from July 14, 2026 to March 27, 2027, starting from the Effective Date. The fee to the Director shall be paid by the Company quarterly. In addition, the Independent Director shall attend meetings as requested by the Company during the effective days of this agreement. Such meetings include, but are not limited to investor relations meetings and regulatory body meetings.
EXPENSES. During the term of the Independent Director’s service as a director of the Company, the Company shall promptly reimburse the Independent Director for all expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending (a) all meetings of the Board or applicable committees thereof, (b) executive sessions of the independent directors, and (c) stockholder meetings, as a director or a member of any committee of the Board, provided that any such expenses over $2,000 shall be approved by the Company in writing in advance. In addition, the Independent Director shall rely on the Company to arrange all hotel accommodations in connection with any such meetings the Independent Director must attend. The amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement by the Company during a calendar year shall not affect such expenses eligible for reimbursement by the Company in any other calendar year, and the reimbursement of any such eligible expenses shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.
NO OTHER BENEFITS OR COMPENSATION. The Independent Director acknowledges and agrees that he/she is not granted or entitled to any other benefits or compensation from the Company for services provided under this Agreement except expressly provided for in this Schedule A.
Dated: July 13, 2026
| Company: | JIN MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LTD. |
|---|---|
| Authorized Person: | Erqi Wang, CEO |
| Signature: | |
| Independent Director: | Ning Xue |
| Signature: |
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Exhibit 10.2
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of by and between JIN MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LTD., a Cayman Islands company (the “Company”), and the undersigned, a director and/or an officer of the Company (“Indemnitee”), as applicable.
RECITALS
The board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) has determined that the ability to attract and retain highly competent persons to serve the Company is essential to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and that it is reasonable and necessary for the Company to provide adequate protection to such persons against risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their services to the corporation.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
A. DEFINITIONS
The following defined terms shall have the respective meanings below:
Expenses include, without limitation, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and costs, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and costs of attachment or similar bond, investigations, and any other expenses paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing for any of the foregoing in, any Proceeding.
Indemnifiable Event means any event or occurrence that takes place either before or after the execution of this Agreement, related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or an officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, or related to anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity, including, but not limited to neglect, breach of duty, error, misstatement, misleading statement or omission.
Participant means a person who is a party to, or witness or participant (including on appeal) in, a Proceeding.
Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, arbitration or proceeding, or any inquiry, hearing or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other, including appeal, in which Indemnitee may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise by reason of an Indemnifiable Event.
B. AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY
1. General Agreement. In the event Indemnitee was, is, or becomes a Participant in, or is threatened to be made a Participant in, a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee from and against any and all Expenses which Indemnitee incurs or becomes obligated to incur in connection with such Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
2. Indemnification of Expenses of Successful Party. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits in defense of any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses incurred in connection with such Proceeding or such claim, issue or matter, as the case may be.
3. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of Expenses, but not for the total amount of Expenses, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.
4. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment with the Company.
5. Contribution. If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, then the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Indemnitee on the other hand from the transaction or events from which such Proceeding arose, and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand in connection with the events which resulted in such Expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such Expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section B.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.
C. INDEMNIFICATION PROCESS
1. Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to his/her right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement, provided that the delay of Indemnitee to give notice hereunder shall not prejudice any of Indemnitee’s rights hereunder, unless such delay results in the Company’s forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses. Notice to the Company shall be given in accordance with Section F.7 below. If, at the time of receipt of such notice, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice to its insurers of the Proceeding relating to the notice. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary and desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all Expenses payable as a result of such Proceeding. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request.
2. Indemnification Payment.
(a) Advancement ofExpenses. Indemnitee may submit a written request with reasonable particulars to the Company requesting that the Company advance to Indemnitee all Expenses that may be reasonably incurred in advance by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding. The Company shall, within 10 business days of receiving such a written request by Indemnitee, advance all requested Expenses to Indemnitee. Any excess of the advanced Expenses over the actual Expenses will be repaid to the Company.
(b) Reimbursementof Expenses. To the extent Indemnitee has not requested any advanced payment of Expenses from the Company, Indemnitee shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for the Expenses incurred in connection with a Proceeding from the Company immediately after Indemnitee makes a written request to the Company for reimbursement unless the Company refers the indemnification request to the Reviewing Party in compliance with Section C.2(c) below.
(c) Determinationby the Reviewing Party. If the Company reasonably believes that it is not obligated under this Agreement to indemnify the Indemnitee, the Company shall, within 10 days after the Indemnitee’s written request for an advancement or reimbursement of Expenses, notify the Indemnitee that the request for advancement of Expenses or reimbursement of Expenses will be submitted to the Reviewing Party (as hereinafter defined). The Reviewing Party shall make a determination on the request within 30 days after the Indemnitee’s written request for an advancement or reimbursement of Expenses. Notwithstanding anything foregoing to the contrary, in the event the Reviewing Party informs the Company that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification in connection with a Proceeding under this Agreement or applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee for all the Expenses previously advanced or otherwise paid to Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding; provided, however, that Indemnitee may bring a suit to enforce his/her indemnification right in accordance with Section C.3 below.
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3. Suit to Enforce Rights. Regardless of any action by the Reviewing Party, if Indemnitee has not received full indemnification within 30 days after making a written demand in accordance with Section C.2 above or 50 days if the Company submits a request for advancement or reimbursement to the Reviewing Party under Section C.2(c) above, Indemnitee shall have the right to enforce its indemnification rights under this Agreement by commencing litigation in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination by the court or challenging any determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect of this Agreement. Any determination by the Reviewing Party not challenged by Indemnitee and any judgment entered by the court shall be binding on the Company and Indemnitee.
4. Assumption of Defense. In the event the Company is obligated under this Agreement to advance or bear any Expenses for any Proceeding against Indemnitee, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, upon delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, unless (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded, based on written advice of counsel, that there may be a conflict of interest of such counsel retained by the Company between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (iii) the Company ceases or terminates the employment of such counsel with respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in any of which events the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company. At all times, Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense.
5. Defense to Indemnification, Burden of Proof and Presumptions. It shall be a defense to any action brought by Indemnitee against the Company to enforce this Agreement that it is not permissible under this Agreement or applicable law for the Company to indemnify the Indemnitee for the amount claimed. In connection with any such action or any determination by the Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified under this Agreement, the burden of proving such a defense or determination shall be on the Company.
6. No Settlement Without Consent. Neither party to this Agreement shall settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any damage, loss, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without the other party’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement.
7. Company Participation. Subject to Section B.5, the Company shall not be liable to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial action if the Company was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense, conduct and/or settlement of such action.
8. Reviewing Party.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the Reviewing Party with respect to each indemnification request of Indemnitee that is referred by the Company pursuant to Section C.2(c) above shall be (A) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), or (B) if a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, said Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. If the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within 10 days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel or member of the Board of Directors shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification. Any reasonable costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
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(b) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section C.8(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors, in which event the proceeding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section C.8(d) of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section C.8(b), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
(c) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the Reviewing Party shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement (with or without court approval), conviction, or upon a plea of nolocontendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his/her conduct was unlawful. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers and directors of the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section C.8(c) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
(d) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
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D. DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY INSURANCE
1. Good Faith Determination. The Company shall from time to time make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the officers and directors of the Company with coverage for losses incurred in connection with their services to the Company or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.
2. Coverage of Indemnitee. To the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any of the Company’s directors or officers.
3. No Obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain any director and officer insurance policy if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available in the case that (i) premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, or (ii) the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit.
E. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; U.S. FEDERAL PREEMPTION; TERM
1. Non-Exclusivity. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s current memorandum and articles of association, as may be amended from time to time, applicable law or any written agreement between Indemnitee and the Company (including its subsidiaries and affiliates). The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue to be available to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though he/she may have ceased to serve in any such capacity at the time of any Proceeding. In the event of any inconsistencies between the terms as set out in this Agreement and the provisions in the Company’s memorandum and articles of association (as may be amended from time to time), the provisions in the Company’s memorandum and articles of association (as may be amended from time to time) shall prevail.
2. U.S. Federal Preemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, U.S. federal law or public policy may override applicable law and prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. Such instances include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)’s prohibition on indemnification for liabilities arising under certain U.S. federal securities laws. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the SEC to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
3. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer and/or a director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding by reason of his/her former or current capacity at the Company, whether or not he/she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any Expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an officer and/or a director of the Company or any other enterprise at the Company’s request.
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F. MISCELLANEOUS
1. Amendment of this Agreement. No supplement, modification, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any other provisions (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy shall constitute a waiver.
2. Subrogation. In the event of payment to Indemnitee by the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
3. Assignment; Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party; except that the Company may, without such consent, assign all such rights and obligations to a successor in interest to the Company which assumes all obligations of the Company under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by and against the parties hereto and the Company’s successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, as well as Indemnitee’s spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives.
4. Severability and Construction. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to a court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. In addition, if any portion of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The parties hereto acknowledge that they each have opportunities to have their respective counsels review this Agreement. Accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of both of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against either of the parties hereto.
5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, both of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.
6. Governing Law. This agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law provisions thereof.
7. Notices. All notices, demands, and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed via postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed as follows:
To the Company:
No. 33 Lingxiang Road, Wujin District,
Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province,
People’s Republic of China
Attention: Mr. Ziqiang Wang, Chief Financial Officer
To Indemnitee:
Ning Xue
Scitech Tower, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto execute this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| JIN MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL LTD. | |
|---|---|
| By: | |
| Name: | Erqi Wang |
| Title: | CEO |
Indemnitee
| Signature: | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Ning Xue |
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