展览二点一
合并与重组协议书
其中:
GlycoMimetics,Inc。
双子座 并购SUb公司。;
双子座 Merger Sub II,LLC并且
Crescent 生物制药,公司。
截至2024年10月28日
目录
第1节。 定义和解释条款。 | 3 | |
1.1 | 定义 | 3 |
1.2 | 其他定义和解释条款 | 20 |
第2节。 交易描述 | 21 | |
2.1 | 合并 | 21 |
2.2 | 合并的影响 | 21 |
2.3 | 结束; 第一生效时间; 第二生效时间 | 21 |
2.4 | 组织文件;董事和高级职员 | 22 |
2.5 | 公司转换,第一合并子及第二合并子股权证券 | 23 |
2.6 | 公司过户簿结案 | 25 |
2.7 | 公司资本股投票弃权 | 25 |
2.8 | 净现金及公司估值计算 | 26 |
2.9 | 进一步行动 | 29 |
2.10 | 预期的税务处理 | 29 |
2.11 | 扣缴税款 | 29 |
2.12 | 鉴价权 | 30 |
第3节。公司的陈述和保证 | 30 | |
3.1 | 正式组织;附属公司 | 30 |
3.2 | 组织文件 | 31 |
3.3 | 授权;协议的约束性质 | 31 |
3.4 | 所需投票数 | 31 |
3.5 | 非违约;同意 | 31 |
3.6 | 资本化。 | 32 |
3.7 | 基本报表 | 34 |
3.8 | 无变动 | 35 |
3.9 | 未披露负债的缺席 | 35 |
3.10 | 资产标题 | 35 |
3.11 | 不动产;租赁权 | 35 |
3.12 | 知识产权 | 35 |
3.13 | 协议,合同和承诺 | 38 |
3.14 | 遵从性; 许可证; 限制 | 40 |
3.15 | 法律诉讼; 命令 | 43 |
3.16 | 税务事项 | 43 |
3.17 | 员工与劳资事宜;福利计划。 | 44 |
3.18 | 环保方面的事宜 | 47 |
3.19 | 保险 | 48 |
3.20 | 没有财务顾问 | 48 |
3.21 | 与关系企业的交易。 | 48 |
3.22 | 隐私与资料安全 | 49 |
3.23 | 母公司资本股权所有权 | 49 |
3.24 | 没有其他陈述或保证 | 49 |
第4节。母公司、第一次并购以及第二次并购子公司的陈述与保证 | 50 | |
4.1 | 正式组织;附属公司 | 50 |
4.2 | 组织文件 | 50 |
4.3 | 授权;协议的约束性质 | 51 |
4.4 | 所需投票数 | 51 |
4.5 | 未违反;同意 | 51 |
4.6 | 首字母大写 | 52 |
4.7 | 证券交易委员会文件;基本报表 | 54 |
4.8 | 无变动 | 56 |
4.9 | 未披露负债的缺席 | 56 |
4.10 | 资产标题 | 56 |
4.11 | 不动产;租赁权 | 57 |
4.12 | 知识产权 | 57 |
4.13 | 协议,合同和承诺 | 59 |
4.14 | 遵从性; 许可证; 限制 | 62 |
4.15 | 法律诉讼; 命令 | 64 |
4.16 | 税务事项 | 65 |
4.17 | 员工和劳工事项; 福利计划 | 66 |
4.18 | 环保方面的事宜 | 69 |
4.19 | 保险 | 69 |
4.20 | 与关系企业的交易。 | 69 |
4.21 | 没有财务顾问 | 69 |
4.22 | 有效发行 | 70 |
4.23 | 隐私与资料安全 | 70 |
4.24 | 没有其他陈述或保证 | 70 |
第5节。 合约双方的特定契约 | 71 | |
5.1 | 母公司业务的控制项 | 71 |
5.2 | 公司业务的控制项 | 73 |
5.3 | 取得与调查 | 74 |
5.4 | 禁止招揽 | 75 |
5.5 | 某些事项的通知 | 76 |
A-3
第6节。双方的附加协议 | 77 | |
6.1 | 委托书声明 | 77 |
6.2 | 公司股东书面同意 | 78 |
6.3 | 母公司股东大会 | 80 |
6.4 | (a) 双方将尽商业上合理的努力完成预期的交易。在不限制前述范畴的情况下,每一方:(i) 在相关的联系中均应提交所有申报和其他提交(如有),并给予所有要求该方进行的通知(如有) | 82 |
6.5 | 公司期权;公司认股权 | 83 |
6.6 | 员工福利 | 84 |
6.7 | 董事与总经理之赔偿 | 86 |
6.8 | 披露 | 87 |
6.9 | 清单 | 88 |
6.10 | 税务事项 | 88 |
6.11 | 传说 | 89 |
6.12 | 管理人员和董事 | 89 |
6.13 | 终止特定协议和权利 | 90 |
6.14 | 第16节事项 | 90 |
6.15 | 分配资讯 | 90 |
6.16 | 母公司美国证券交易委员会文件 | 90 |
6.17 | 特定交易通知 | 90 |
6.18 | 并购子公司的义务 | 91 |
6.19 | 母公司融资 | 91 |
第7条。条件在各方义务之前 | 91 | |
7.1 | 监管批准。 | 91 |
7.2 | 无限制 | 91 |
7.3 | 股东批准 | 91 |
7.4 | 清单 | 91 |
7.5 | 锁定协议 | 91 |
7.6 | 母公司宪章修订 | 91 |
7.7 | 指定证书 | 91 |
第8条。亲属及合并子公司责任的额外先决条件 | 92 | |
8.1 | 陈述的准确性 | 92 |
8.2 | 契约性能 | 92 |
8.3 | 文件 | 92 |
8.4 | 没有公司实质不利影响 | 93 |
8.5 | 公司股东书面同意 | 93 |
8.6 | 家长融资 | 93 |
A-4
第九节。附加条件前例 对本公司的义务 | 93 | |
9.1 | 表示的准确性 | 93 |
9.2 | 契约的执行 | 94 |
9.3 | 文件 | 94 |
9.4 | 没有父系材料不良影响 | 94 |
第十节。终止 | 94 | |
10.1 | 终止 | 94 |
10.2 | 终止的效力 | 96 |
10.3 | 费用;终止费 | 96 |
第十一节。杂项条款 | 98 | |
11.1 | 陈述和保证的不存在 | 98 |
11.2 | 修正案 | 98 |
11.3 | 豁免 | 98 |
11.4 | 整份协议;对应;以电子方式进行交换 传输 | 99 |
11.5 | 适用法律;管辖权 | 99 |
11.6 | 可分配性 | 99 |
11.7 | 通告 | 100 |
11.8 | 合作 | 100 |
11.9 | 可分割性 | 100 |
11.10 | 其他补救措施;具体表现 | 101 |
11.11 | 没有第三方受益人 | 101 |
附件:
附件A-1 | 亲股东支持协议书形式 |
附件 A-2 | 公司股东支持协议书形式 |
附件B | 锁仓协议书形式 |
附件 C | 认购协议书形式 |
展品 D-1 | 第一个并购证明书,包括附件 A 中附带的首位存续公司的公司注册证书,已纳入本协议 |
展品 D-2 | 第二个合并证明书,已纳入本协议 |
E展览。 | 指定证书形式 |
A-5
合并与重组协议和计划
本合并和重组协议计划 (本“协议”协议日期为2024年10月28日签署并生效,参与方包括 GlycoMimetics公司这是一家特拉华州公司(“该公司”),母公司。 ”), Gemini Merger Sub corp公司,Parent的全资子公司,总部位于特拉华州第一合并公司”), Gemini Merger Sub II,有限责任公司,Parent的全资子公司,位于特拉华州的有限责任公司第二合并公司”及第一合并子公司,一同Merger Subs Crescent生物制药公司,一家特拉华州公司(以下简称“公司”)。本协议中使用的某些大写字母定义在 第一部分.
陈述事项
A. 父母公司打算通过本协议和DGCL的规定使第一合并子公司与公司进行合并。第一次合并完成后,第一合并子公司将不复存在,而公司将成为母公司的全资子公司。第一次合并在本协议和DGCL的规定下,父母公司打算执行第一合并,使第一合并子公司与公司合并。完成第一次合并后,第一合并子公司将停止存在,公司将成为父母公司的全资子公司。
在首次合并后立即,并作为与首次合并相同的整体交易的一部分,公司将与第二次合并子公司合并(称为“第二次合并”和First Merger一起,构成“合并”),第二次合并子公司将成为第二次合并的存续实体。
各方意图,(i)第一次合并和第二次合并,合并在一起构成了《税收法规第2001-46号》所描述的一个整体交易,符合《法典第368(a)条》中“重组”的定义,以及(ii)本协议将构成并且特此被采纳为一个重组计划,符合财政部法规第1.368-2(g)条和1.368-3(a)条的定义。
董事会已经(i)确定拟议交易对于上级公司及其股东是公平的、明智的,并符合最佳利益,(ii)赞同并认为本协议和拟议交易是明智的,包括根据本协议向公司股东发行上级公司股份的条款,(iii)决定根据本协议规定的条款,建议上级公司股东投票批准本协议,从而批准上级公司股东事项,包括拟议交易,并反对任何竞争提案。
第一并购子公司董事会已经(i)确定拟议的交易对第一并购子公司及其唯一股东是公平的、明智的并且符合最佳利益,(ii)批准并宣布本协议和拟议的交易是明智的,(iii)决定推荐,根据本协议规定的条款和条件,要求第一并购子公司的股东投票通过本协议,并因此批准拟议的交易。
第二次合并子公司唯一成员已确定拟议交易对第二次合并子公司及其唯一成员公平、明智且符合最佳利益,已批准并宣布本协议和拟议交易明智,已决定根据本协议中规定的条款和条件推荐第二次合并子公司的唯一成员投票通过本协议,并因此批准拟议交易。
G. 公司董事会已确定拟议交易对公司及其股东是公平合理且符合最佳利益,已批准并认为本协议及拟议交易是合理的,已决定根据本协议载明的条款和条件向公司股东推荐,要求他们投票通过本协议,并因此批准拟议交易。
同时与本协议的执行和交付一起,并作为公司愿意进入本协议的条件和诱因之一,列名在 A部分 的母公司披露函中(仅以母公司股东身份)签署支持协议,形式基本如附件所示的 附件A-1 (“本登记声明”) 由特立软件股份有限公司,一家德拉华州股份公司 (以下简称为“本公司”) 提交,目的是为了注册其额外的7,184,563股A类普通股,每股面值$0.0001 (以下简称为“A类普通股”), 以及在特立软件股份有限公司 2022年股权激励计划下可发行股份的1,436,911股A类普通股,注(下文简称为“A类普通股”)。母公司股东支持协议,根据其中规定的条款和条件,这些人同意投票支持母公司股份的全部股份,以赞成本协议的批准并批准拟议的交易,如果母公司认为有必要,还可以修正母公司的公司章程以实施纳斯达克的逆向分拆和其他事项,并反对任何竞争性提案。
同时与本协议的执行和交付同时,作为Parent愿意进入本协议的条件和诱因,公司上市的每一位董事、董事会成员和股东如在公司披露信函(仅作为公司股东)中列出的 A部分 公司披露信函中(仅作为公司股东)相关高管、董事和股东正签署附属的支持协议,以支持Parent,表格如附件所示 展览A-2 (“本登记声明”) 由特立软件股份有限公司,一家德拉华州股份公司 (以下简称为“本公司”) 提交,目的是为了注册其额外的7,184,563股A类普通股,每股面值$0.0001 (以下简称为“A类普通股”), 以及在特立软件股份有限公司 2022年股权激励计划下可发行股份的1,436,911股A类普通股,注(下文简称为“A类普通股”)。公司股东支持协议),根据其中规定的条款和条件,这些个人同意投票赞成通过本协议并批准预期交易,并反对任何竞争性提议。
在签署并交付本协议的同时,作为控件并诱因,公司或母公司有意进入本协议的所有股东列名 B板块 公司披露函的第一部分的附表所附的基本形式的锁定协议 展B (“本登记声明”) 由特立软件股份有限公司,一家德拉华州股份公司 (以下简称为“本公司”) 提交,目的是为了注册其额外的7,184,563股A类普通股,每股面值$0.0001 (以下简称为“A类普通股”), 以及在特立软件股份有限公司 2022年股权激励计划下可发行股份的1,436,911股A类普通股,注(下文简称为“A类普通股”)。锁定协议,“协议”中指的是本修订协议。锁定协议”).
预计在此后的两个(2)个工作日内,持有足够公司股本股份的股东将签署并批准本协议和合并,如DGCL及公司章程和公司规则所要求,以书面同意书的形式执行和交付,以获得必要的公司股东表决。
同时与本协议的签署和交付,某些投资者已根据附件中附有的证券购买协议执行了协议 附件C。在本第2(e)规定适用的范围内,确定本认购证证券是否可行使(与持有人及其关联方及归属方拥有的其他证券有关)以及本认购证证券的哪部分可行使,包括发行交换认购证证券来代替认购证证券,应完全由持有人自行决定,并且行使通知书应视为持有人确定本认购证证券是否可行使(与持有人及其关联方及归属方拥有的其他证券有关),以及哪部分可行使,但仍应受到持有限制的约束,公司无需验证或确认此种决定的准确性。 父公司和其中列名的人之间(包括可能根据时间不断改编、重新规定和/或取代的人)之间的认购协议),根据该协议,这些人同意购买父公司普通股和预先拟定的权证,以购买父公司普通股,第二有效日期之后的金额,即“母公司融资”).
2
协议
各方有意具有法律约束力,同意如下:
第1节。定义和解释条款。
1.1 定义.
(a)根据本协议的目的(包括本第1节):
“可接受的保密协议“”指包含的保密协议,其条款在总体上与交易对方的保密协议条款不具有实质性较少的限制,除非该保密协议不得包括任何停滞、禁止招揽或不得雇用条款。尽管前述规定,曾与母公司就潜在收购提议签订过在涵盖范围和披露和使用限制方面与保密协议相比不具有实质性较少限制的条款的个人,无需签订新的或修订后的保密协议,并且应视现有保密协议为可接受的保密协议。
“收购询问” 表示就一方而言,指询问、兴趣表达或请求非公开信息(不包括公司一方或母公司另一方向另一方提出的询问、兴趣表达或信息请求),该询问、兴趣表达或信息请求可以合理预计可能导致收购提议。
“收购提案对于某一方,""表示任何出价或提议,无论是书面还是口头的(不包括由公司或其关联公司代表或提交的出价或提议,一方面或由父公司或其关联公司代表或提交的出价或提议另一方面,与另一方有关或与该方进行任何收购交易。
“收购交易“ 表示任何交易或一系列相关交易(除了任何中期融资、任何公司收购或母公司融资)涉及:
(a) 任何合并、合并、合并、股份交换、业务组合、证券发行、证券收购、重组、资本重组、要约收购、交换要约或其他类似交易:(i) 在此交易中,直接或间接收购任何一方或其任何附属公司任何一类有表决权证券的证券所代表的超过该方或其任何附属公司已发行证券中超过20%的权益或股份; (ii) 在此交易中,任何一方或其任何附属公司发行的证券代表该方或其任何附属公司已发行证券中超过20%的任何一类有表决权证券的权益,或发行的证券可转换为该方或其任何附属公司已发行证券中超过20%的任何一类有表决权证券的权益;
3
(b) 任何业务或资产出售、租赁、交换、转让、许可、收购或处置,构成一方及其子公司资产的合并账面价值或公允市场价值的20%或更多,作为整体。
“附属公司“ 在《证券法》第145条下赋予该术语的含义。
“经济实惠医疗法案 ” 意味着患者保护和经济实惠医疗法案。
“预期截止日期 ”代表双方父公司和公司商定的预期截止日期。
“第十章 转让证券 第10.1节 交易 如果发行受托人证明,债券持有人可以交换并迅速交付发行受托人这样的证明,无论是有欠款未偿还,还是实质性周转的时候,都可以在世界范围范围内经由源和债券市场交易。” 表示任何纽约州银行有权或有义务关闭的非工作日。
“指定证书“” 意味着母公司可转换优先股的偏好、权利和限制指定证书 所附的表格如下所示 附件 E.
“ “COBRA”是1985年颁布的《综合预算协调法案》,载于法典第49800亿节和ERISA第I标题第6节。
“代码“”指1986年修订版的国内收入法规。
“公司关联人员” 指公司或其任何子公司的任何在职员工、独立承包商、高管或董事。
“公司董事会“董事会”是指公司的董事会。
“公司资本 股票”指公司普通股和公司优先股。
“公司资本化 陈述”表示公司在《 第3.6(a)节和 第3.6(d)节.
“公司普通股” 表示每股面值为$0.0001的公司普通股。
“公司合同“ 意味着任何合同:(a) 公司或其任何子公司是一方的合同,(b) 公司或其任何子公司是或可能成为约束方或者在公司或其子公司履行任何义务或可能成为受约束方的合同,或者(c) 公司或其任何子公司在其中具有或可能获得任何权利或利益的合同。
“公司员工计划”指的是公司或其任何子公司(i)赞助、维护、管理或贡献的任何员工计划,(ii)可以合理预期承担任何责任的计划,或(iii)用于为公司或其任何子公司(或其配偶、受抚养人或受益人)的当前或前任雇员、官员、董事或其他服务提供者提供福利或覆盖风险,但不包括公司或其任何子公司参与的由任何专业雇主组织赞助的任何员工计划。
4
“公司基本 陈述”表示公司在《 章节 3.1(a), 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5(a)(i) 和 3.20.
“ ” 指由公司或其子公司拥有、被声称拥有、被分配、被独家许可或被控制的所有知识产权权利,这些知识产权权利对于公司及其子公司目前开展业务所必需,或用于业务运营,或用于业务运营。
“公司知识产权协议“”指任何管理、涉及或与公司知识产权有关的合同,但不包括根据保密协议提供的任何机密信息。
“公司重要员工“ 意味着公司的任何执行官或其任何子公司的任何执行官。
“公司材料 不利影响“公司重大不利影响”指任何效应,结合发生在确定之日前的所有其他效应,对公司或其子公司的业务、财务状况、资产、负债或业务结果作为一个整体产生或合理预期将产生重大不利影响; 在每种情况下,该B类股东和/或该B类股东的家庭成员需独立控制在此类帐户、计划或信托中持有的B类普通股实时;, 公司对于以下情况,不应承担责任:根据第10(b)部分书面信息可靠地提供。对于决定是否发生公司重大不利影响,不应考虑以下效应:(a)本协议的公告或拟议交易的进行状态,(b)公司采取或未采取为遵守本协议条款而必须采取的任何行动,(c)任何自然灾害、灾害或流行病、大流行病或其他不可抗力事件,或任何恐怖主义或战争的行为或威胁,任何全球任何地方的武装冲突或恐怖主义活动(包括上述任何事件的升级或普遍恶化),以及对上述任何事件的任何政府或其他响应或反应,(d)GAAP或适用法律或其解释的任何变化,(e)普通经济或政治状况或普遍影响公司及其子公司所在行业的条件或(f)由于在业务的正常经营过程中产生的公司及其子公司的现金头寸变化;除了在(c)、(d)和(e)各项,相对于公司及其子公司相对于在公司及其子公司所在行业中处于类似境遇的其它公司所产生的影响有明显不成正比之处,作为整体考虑。
“公司合并 股份”表示由确定的产品 乘以 (i)发帖收盘后的母公司股份数 (ii)公司分配比例,其中: 除(i)发帖收盘后的母公司股份数 (ii)公司分配比例,其中:
· | “汇总 公司估值” 意味着(i)公司估值, 加上 (ii)母公司估值。 |
· | “公司 收购”表示对除母公司及其子公司之外的任何个人的(i)财产或资产,(ii)股权证券或其他有益所有权证明的部分或全部,或(iii)任何部门、业务线或其他业务单元的任何部分,通过购买或其他方式,进行的任何收购或许可。 |
5
· | “公司 配置百分比” 表示确定的百分比(四舍五入到四位小数) 减去 (i)母公司配资百分比 来自 (ii)100%。 |
· | “公司 流通股份” 意味着,不重复计算,在第一有效时间前公司 公司在不限制或重复的基础上,假设所有公司期权、公司权证或其他 收到公司普通股或公司优先股的权利或承诺 (或转换为公司普通股或公司优先股的债券) 的已发行或可发行的金额 (不论有无附带条件,或无条件,或已获得或未获得), 用全面摊薄和按照转换为公司普通股的基础表达,这些权益在第一有效时间前已发行。 在每种情况下,该B类股东和/或该B类股东的家庭成员需独立控制在此类帐户、计划或信托中持有的B类普通股实时;, 公司流通股份不包括(i)在公司股权计划下发行的任何公司期权,公司权证 及任何其他股权奖励(包括在此后但在结束前发放给董事、雇员 顾问或其他服务提供商的公司普通股)(统称为“服务提供商 授予”) 和 (ii) 任何公司普通股票底下的公司票据 作为父公司融资中根据认购协议提供的对价。 |
· | “公司 估值” 意味着(i)$50,000,000, 加上 (ii)每笔公司收购的公平市场价值, 加上 (ii)任何临时融资的公平市场价值。 |
· | “交易所 比率”代表四位小数的比率,等于将(i)公司合并后的股份除以(ii)公司的已发行股份所得商 |
· | “公平市场价值“”指的是(A)公司收购时,(i)如果任何公司的股本股票作为对此类公司收购的对价发行,则为(a)$50,000,000, 除以转换价格。 以公司目前的已发行股份(截至本协议日期计算)为基础, 乘以下面所说明的上行参与率。然而,如果标的从初始标的值保持相同或贬值到最终标的值,您将在到期时收回所述证券的规定本金,但是将不会在您的投资上获得任何回报。即使标的从初始标的值升值到最终标的值,以便您在到期时获得升值收益,也不能保证您在证券到期时的总回报将弥补通货膨胀的影响或与为可比期限的传统债务证券上可获得的收益同等大。 以此类公司收购中发行的公司股本股票的累计股数为基础;以及(ii)如果除现金或公司股本股票之外的对价作为此类公司收购的对价,则根据交易评估日上一家愿意购买者和出售者之间的现场价值确定的费用进行评估,在股权出售协议记入的日期上,同时考虑一切决定价值的相关因素并由公司在善意中合理确定的资产或证券的公允市场价值;以及(B)任何中期融资的费用,以公司目前的已发行股份(截至本协议日期计算)为基础, 除以转换价格。 以公司目前的已发行股份(截至本协议日期计算)为基础, 乘以下面所说明的上行参与率。然而,如果标的从初始标的值保持相同或贬值到最终标的值,您将在到期时收回所述证券的规定本金,但是将不会在您的投资上获得任何回报。即使标的从初始标的值升值到最终标的值,以便您在到期时获得升值收益,也不能保证您在证券到期时的总回报将弥补通货膨胀的影响或与为可比期限的传统债务证券上可获得的收益同等大。 通过(ii) 在此次临时融资中发行的公司股票总数 (或应该发行的公司股票转换或行使时) |
6
· | “家长 配置百分比” 表示被确定为百分比并四舍五入到四位小数的商 除以 (i)父公司估值 除 (ii)总估值。 |
· | “母公司 净现金低额”指的是,如果母公司净现金低于母公司净现金 达标值,则超过母公司净现金目标的金额(如果有的话)。 |
· | “父亲 净现金降低目标” 表示$1,725,000。 |
· | “家长 净现金目标” 指 $1,800,000。 |
· | “母公司 净现金上限金额” 表示,如果母公司的净现金超过母公司净现金 上限目标,则超出的部分(如有)即为其超过母公司净现金 目标的金额。 |
· | “家长 净现金上限目标” 表示1,875,000美元。 |
· | “母公司 流通股份”指的是,不重复计算,(包括但不限于, 纳斯达克逆向拆分的影响,如果已完成)母公司的总流通股数量,即在第一有效时间之前全部在流通的母公司普通股数量按全面稀释基础表达,转换为母公司普通股基础,并假定,不限于或不重复计算,(i)发行母公司普通股以换股或行权的所有母公司期权、认股权或其他权利或承诺,无论有条件还是无条件,正在第一有效时间前的时刻尚未行使,以及(ii)母公司受限制的股票单位按净结算基础换发为母公司普通股,正如在"Section 6.6(e)"中所规定的。尽管前述内容可参考,但不应计入亏损的母公司期权在母公司流通股份总数中。 第6.6(e)条。尽管前述内容可参考,但不应计入亏损的母公司期权在母公司流通股份总数中。 |
· | “股权估值” 意味着较大者为(x)(i) 8,000,000美元, 减去 (ii)股权估值上限净现金金额(如有) 加上 (iii)股权估值下限净现金金额(如有),以及(y)(i) 父公司估值底线, 减去 (ii)股权估值上限净现金金额(如有) 加上 (iii) 父公司净现金上限金额(如有)。 |
7
· | “母公司 估值底线”表示等于(i)0.03,乘以(ii)(A)公司估值(在交割前立即有效日期),(B)根据认购协议定义的投资者的累计购买金额和(C)$8,000,000的总和。 |
· | “收盘后 母公司股份” 意味着由 除以 (i) 母公司未来股 除 (ii) 母公司分配比例。 |
“公司备忘录“”指的是公司于2024年10月24日前后发行的可转换票据,包括其中规定的第二笔款项。
“公司期权” 表示购买公司发行的公司股票的期权或其他购买权。
“首选股“”代表公司资本股中指定为优先股的股份,包括公司种子优先股。
“公司注册 知识产权“公司注册”表示公司所有或独家许可的公司知识产权,经政府机关授权、审批或颁发的注册、备案或发行,包括所有专利、注册版权和注册商标以及所有前述任何内容的申请和注册。
“公司系列种子 优先股”表示公司指定为“种子优先股”的一系列首选股,每股面值为$0.0001。
“公司股票计划“ 意味着公司的2024年股权激励计划。
“公司触发事件如果在本协议通过并获得所需公司股东投票批准之前的任何时候发生以下情况,则应视为已发生:“公司董事会已做出公司董事会不利建议更改;(b) 公司董事会或其任何委员会已公开批准、支持或推荐任何收购提议;或(c) 公司已签署任何意向书或类似文件或与任何收购提议相关的任何合同。
“公司认股权证“ 意指公司发行的可购买公司股票的认股权证。
“保密协议“”指的是2024年9月17日公司与母公司之间签订的信函协议。
“同意“ 表示任何批准、同意、批准、许可、放弃或授权(包括任何政府授权)。
“拟议的交易” 表示本协议所 contempl.Point 和其他交易(除了母公司宪章修正案外),母公司融资和纳斯达克逆向拆分(在适用和母公司及公司认为必要的范围内)。
8
“合同“对于任何个人而言,”通常指的是任何书面协议、合同、分包合同、租赁协议(无论是用于不动产还是动产)、抵押贷款、许可证或其他根据适用法律对其构成约束或影响的具有法律约束力的承诺或行为。
“特拉华州公司法“”是特拉华州公司法。
“DLLCA” 意指特拉华有限责任公司法。
“投票“弃权”的效果“ 意味着任何影响、变化、事件、情况或发展。
“员工计划"意味着(A)根据ERISA第3(3)条的“员工福利计划”,无论是否受ERISA约束;(B)其他计划、项目、政策或安排,提供股票期权、股票购买、基于股权的薪酬、奖金(包括任何年度奖金和保留奖金)或其他激励、离职费、延期薪酬、雇佣、薪酬、交易变更奖金、补充、休假、退休福利(包括退休后的医疗福利)、养老金福利、利润分享福利、边际福利、人身保险福利、津贴、健康福利、医疗福利、牙科福利、视力福利以及所有其他员工福利计划、协议和安排,不属于(A)以上;和(C)提供报酬给员工、顾问和非雇员董事的所有其他计划、项目、政策或安排。
“负担“质押”的含义是任何抵押、质押、抵押、抵押、担保权益、租赁权、独家许可、选择权、权力、预留、 服务权、不动产权益、权利、侵权、干涉、选择权、优先购买权、社区财产权益或限制或任何性质的负担(包括对任何 证券的投票限制、对任何证券或其他资产的转让限制、对任何资产所得收入的收取限制、对任何资产使用的限制以 及对任何其他资产所有权属性的占有、行使或转让的任何限制)。
“可执行性例外 “”表示(a)有关破产、清偿债务及债务人救济的普遍适用法律和 (b)规定具体履行、禁止令和其他衡平救济的法律规则。
“实体“ 意味着任何公司(包括任何非营利公司)、合伙企业(包括任何普通合伙、有限合伙或有限责任合伙)、合资企业、遗产、信托、公司(包括任何有限公司、有限责任公司或股份有限公司)、公司、协会或其他企业、协会、组织或实体,以及其各自的继承人。
“环境法” 指任何与污染或保护盈健医疗或环保母基(包括环境空气、地表水、地下水、地表或地下地层)有关的联邦、州、地方或外国法律,包括任何与危险物质的排放、排放、释放或受威胁的释放,或与危险物质的制造、加工、分销、使用、处理、储存、处置、运输或处理有关的法律或法规。
9
“ERISA会员公司对于任何实体,"其他" 意味着任何被视为与该实体构成单一雇主或在法规414(b)、(c)、(m) 或 (o) 下被视为同一"受控组" 的其他人。
“ERISA “ERISA”的意思是1974年修订的雇员退休收入安全法案。
“使拥有公司注册证券类别10%以上股权的官员、董事或实际股东代表签署人递交表格3、4和5(包括修正版及有关联合递交协议),符合证券交易法案第16(a)条及其下属规则规定的要求;表示1934年修订版的证券交易法。
“第一并购子公司 董事会” 意指第一并购子公司的董事会。
“政府机构“ 意味着任何:(a) 国家、州、联邦、地区、县、市、区或其他性质的司法管辖区, (b) 联邦、州、地方、市政、外国、超国家或其他政府,(c) 任何性质的政府或准政府权力 (包括任何政府部门、部门、机构、委员会、局、机构、官员、部、基金、 基金会、中心、组织、单位、主体或实体和任何法院或其他法庭,为避免疑问, 任何征税权威) or (d) 自律组织(包括纳斯达克)。
“政府授权“ 代表任何:(a)由任何政府机构授权或根据任何法律颁发、授予、证书、特许经营权、许可证、特许证、权限、变数、豁免、订单、批准、许可、清关、注册、资格或授权,或以其他方式由其发放、授予、给予或提供; 或(b)根据与任何政府机构订立的任何合同中的权利。
“危险物质” 意指任何受环保母基管制、控制或整治的污染物、化学物质和任何具有毒性、传染性、致癌性、活性、腐蚀性、易燃或可燃性的化学物质,或化合物,或危险物质、物料或废物,无论是固体、液体还是燃料币,包括但不限于原油或其任何馏分,以及石油股产品或副产品。
“HSR法案“ 代表1976年修订后的美国哈特-斯科特-罗迪诺反垄断改进法案。
“已实现盈利期权”表示行权价等于或低于母公司收盘价的母公司期权。
“知识产权“ 表示:(a)美国、外国和国际专利,专利申请,包括所有临时,非临时,替换,分部,延续,部分延续,再发行,延伸,补充保护证书,复审,期限延长,发明证书及前述任何等效物,法定发明注册,发明披露和发明(统称为“所有板块”,(b)商标,服务标记,商号,域名,公司名称,品牌名称,URL,商业装潢,标志和其他来源标识,包括注册和注册申请及相关的商誉,(c)版权,包括其注册和注册申请,(d)软件,包括所有源代码,目标代码和相关文档,(e)公式,客户列表,商业秘密,技术诀窍,机密信息和其他专有权利和知识产权,无论是否可以获得专利,以及与前述任何事项相关的所有美国和外国权利。专利”),(b)商标,服务标记,商号,域名,公司名称,品牌名称,URL,商业装潢,标志和其他来源标识,包括注册和其注册申请及相关商誉,(c)版权,包括其注册和注册申请,(d)软件,包括所有源代码,目标代码和相关文档,(e)公式,客户列表,商业秘密,专有技术,机密信息和其他专有权利和知识产权,无论是否可以获得专利,及(f)所有与上述任何事项相关的所有美国和外国权利。
10
“Interim Financing” means any sale (or series of related sales) by the Company of its Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, that is completed following the date hereof; provided, however, that the issuance of Company Notes and the Parent Financing shall not be an Interim Financing.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Knowledge” means, (i) with respect to an individual, that such individual is actually aware of the relevant fact or such individual would reasonably be expected to know such fact in the ordinary course of the performance of such individual’s employment responsibilities, and (ii) with respect to any Person that is an Entity the Knowledge of any executive officer of such Person as of the date such knowledge is imputed. With respect to any matters relating to Intellectual Property, such awareness or reasonable expectation to have knowledge does not require any such individual to conduct or have conducted or obtain or have obtained any freedom to operate opinions of counsel or any Intellectual Property rights clearance searches.
“Law” means any federal, state, national, supra-national, foreign, local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority (including under the authority of Nasdaq or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
“Legal Proceeding” means any action, suit, litigation, arbitration, proceeding (including any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), hearing, inquiry, audit, examination or investigation commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before any court or other Governmental Authority or any arbitrator or arbitration panel.
“Minimum Concurrent Investment Amount” means (i) $100,000,000 minus (ii) the amount of proceeds actually received by the Company in connection with any Interim Financing prior to the Closing.
“Multiemployer Plan” means a “multiemployer plan,” as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Multiple Employer Plan” means a “multiple employer plan” within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code or Section 3(40) of ERISA.
“Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement” means a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA.
“Nasdaq Reverse Split” means a reverse stock split of all outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock effected by Parent for the purpose of maintaining compliance with Nasdaq listing standards.
“Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Stock Market.
“Order” means any judgment, order, writ, injunction, ruling, decision or decree of (that is binding on a Party), or any plea agreement, corporate integrity agreement, resolution agreement or deferred prosecution agreement with, or any settlement under the jurisdiction of, any court or Governmental Authority.
11
“Ordinary Course of Business” means, in the case of each of the Company and Parent, such actions taken in the ordinary course of its business and consistent with its past practice or, with respect to the Company, the customary practices of a recently formed company at a similar stage of development.
“Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person (other than an individual), (a) the certificate or articles of association or incorporation or organization or limited partnership or limited liability company, and any joint venture, limited liability company, operating or partnership agreement and other similar documents adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation or organization of such Person and (b) all bylaws, regulations and similar documents or agreements relating to the organization or governance of such Person, in each case, as amended or supplemented.
“Out of the Money Parent Options” shall mean Parent Options with an exercise price greater than the Parent Closing Price.
“Parent Associate” means any current employee, independent contractor, officer or director of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Parent Balance Sheet” means the audited balance sheet of Parent as of December 31, 2023, included in Parent’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC.
“Parent Board” means the board of directors of Parent.
“Parent Capital Stock” means the Parent Common Stock and the Parent Preferred Stock.
“Parent Capitalization Representations” means the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Subs set forth in Sections 4.6(a) and 4.6(d).
“Parent Closing Price” means the volume weighted average closing trading price of a share of Parent Common Stock on Nasdaq for the five (5) consecutive trading days ending three (3) trading days immediately prior to the Closing Date as reported by Bloomberg L.P.
“Parent Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Parent.
“Parent Contract” means any Contract: (a) to which Parent is a party, (b) by which Parent or any Parent IP Rights or any other asset of Parent is or may become bound or under which Parent has, or may become subject to, any obligation or (c) under which Parent has or may acquire any right or interest.
“Parent Convertible Preferred Stock” means Parent’s non-voting convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, with the rights, preferences, powers and privileges specified in the Certificate of Designation.
12
“Parent Employee Plan” means any Employee Plan that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (i) sponsors, maintains, administers, or contributes to, (ii) may reasonably be expected to have any Liability, or (iii) utilizes to provide benefits to or otherwise cover any current or former employee, officer, director or other service provider of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or their spouses, dependents, or beneficiaries), but excluding any Employee Plan in which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries participates that is sponsored by any professional employer organization.
“Parent Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Subs set forth in Sections 4.1(a), 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5(a)(i) and 4.21.
“Parent IP Rights Agreement” means any Contract governing, related or pertaining to any Parent IP Rights.
“Parent IP Rights” means all Intellectual Property owned, licensed or controlled by Parent that is necessary for, or used or held for use in, the operation of the business of Parent.
“Parent Key Employee” means (i) an executive officer of Parent; and (ii) any employee of Parent that reports directly to the Parent Board or to an executive officer of Parent.
“Parent Material Adverse Effect” means any Effect that, considered together with all other Effects that have occurred prior to the date of determination of the occurrence of the Parent Material Adverse Effect, has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, assets, liabilities or results of operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that Effects arising or resulting from the following shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Parent Material Adverse Effect: (a) the announcement of this Agreement or the pendency of the Contemplated Transactions, (b) any change in the stock price or trading volume of Parent Common Stock (it being understood, however, that any Effect causing or contributing to any change in stock price or trading volume of Parent Common Stock may be taken into account in determining whether a Parent Material Adverse Effect has occurred, unless such Effects are otherwise excepted from this definition), (c) the taking of any action, or the failure to take any action, by Parent that is required to comply with the terms of this Agreement, (d) any natural disaster, calamity or epidemics, pandemics or other force majeure events, or any act or threat of terrorism or war, any armed hostilities or terrorist activities (including any escalation or general worsening of any of the foregoing) anywhere in the world, or any governmental or other response or reaction to any of the foregoing, (e) any change in GAAP or applicable Law or the interpretation thereof, (f) general economic or political conditions or conditions generally affecting the industries in which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries operates, (g) failure to achieve or maintain any minimum level of Parent Net Cash, (h) any determination by the SEC regarding Parent’s reporting status under the Exchange Act, or (i) any results, outcomes, data, indications, adverse events, side effects or safety observations arising from preclinical trials, clinical trials and/or testing relating to Parent’s Uproleselan (GMI-1271) program, including any requirement to conduct further clinical studies or tests or any increased incidence or severity of any previously identified side effects, adverse effects, adverse events or safety observations or reports of any new side effects, adverse events or safety observations (or any public announcements relating to any of the foregoing); except, in each case with respect to clauses (d), (e) and (f), to the extent materially and disproportionately affecting Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other similarly situated companies in the industries in which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries operates. Notwithstanding the above, a delisting of Parent Common Stock on Nasdaq shall constitute a Parent Material Adverse Effect, provided that the Company has not refused or unreasonably delayed its consent to reasonable actions by Parent to maintain the listing of Parent Common Stock on Nasdaq.
13
“Parent Net Cash” means without duplication, (i) Parent’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities determined, to the extent in accordance with GAAP, in a manner consistent with the manner in which such items were historically determined and in accordance with the financial statements (including any related notes) contained or incorporated by reference in the Parent SEC Documents and the Parent Balance Sheet, plus (ii) all prepaid expenses set forth on Section 1.1(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, minus (iii) the sum of Parent’s consolidated short-term and long-term contractual obligations and liabilities accrued at the Closing Date, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP and, to the extent in accordance with GAAP, in a manner consistent with the manner in which such items were historically determined and in accordance with the financial statements (including any related notes) contained or incorporated by reference in the Parent SEC Documents and the Parent Balance Sheet, minus (iv) the aggregate amount (without duplication) of all fees and expenses incurred by Parent prior to the First Effective Time in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, excluding any Parent Net Cash Excluded Expenses but including (to the extent not a Parent Net Cash Excluded Expense): (a) any fees and expenses of legal counsel, accountants, financial advisors, investment bankers, brokers, consultants, tax advisors, and other professional advisors of Parent in connection with the Contemplated Transactions; (b) 50% of the fees paid to the SEC in connection with filing the Proxy Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto, with the SEC; (c) 50% of the fees and expenses in connection with the printing, mailing and distribution of the Proxy Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto; (d) 50% of the Nasdaq Fees; (e) any bonus, retention payments, severance, change-in-control payments or similar payment obligations (including payments with “single-trigger” provisions triggered at and as of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) that become due or payable to any director, officer, employee or consultant in connection with the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, together with any payroll Taxes associated therewith; (f) the costs associated with obtaining the “D&O tail policy” pursuant to Section 6.7, in each case, to the extent unpaid as of the First Effective Time; and (g) for the avoidance of doubt, the amount by which the actual amount of any Parent Net Cash Excluded Expense at Closing exceeds the estimate set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, minus (v) all remaining rent payments and any other Liabilities under Parent’s lease obligations, minus (vi) any unpaid Taxes of Parent and its Subsidiaries for Tax periods (or portions thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date, and plus (vii) $300,000 for each month, or portion thereof, after June 30, 2025 by which Closing is delayed (except where such delay is caused primarily by the actions of Parent), which amount shall begin accruing on July 1, 2025 (for example, if the Closing is delayed until (A) July 31, 2025 as a result of such failure then $300,000 will be added to Parent Net Cash or (B) August 30, 2025 as a result of such failure then $600,000 will be added to Parent Net Cash); provided, however, that if any portion of the fees and expenses described in subclauses (b), (c), and (d) of clause (iv) have been paid by Parent prior to the First Effective Time in an amount greater than Parent’s share of such fee and expense described in subclauses (b), (c), and (d), then (x) such portion in excess of Parent’s shares of such fee and expense described in subclauses (b), (c), and (d) shall not be deducted by reason of subclauses (b), (c), and (d) of clause (v) and (y) such portion shall be added to the calculation of Parent Net Cash. For avoidance of doubt, (i) the cash received in the Parent Financing will be excluded from the calculation of Parent Net Cash and (ii) the calculation of Parent Net Cash may result in a number below $0.
14
“Parent Net Cash Excluded Expenses” means those fees and expenses incurred by Parent prior to the First Effective Time in connection with the Contemplated Transactions set forth on Section 1.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, which schedule shall include a description and good faith estimate of such Parent Net Cash Excluded Expense as of immediately before the Closing.
“Parent Options” means options or other rights to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock granted by Parent, including pursuant to any Parent Stock Plan.
“Parent Preferred Stock” means the shares of Parent’s capital stock designated as preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share of Parent, including the Parent Convertible Preferred Stock.
“Parent Registered IP” means all Parent IP Rights that are owned or exclusively licensed by Parent that are registered, filed or issued under the authority of, with or by any Governmental Authority, including all patents, registered copyrights and registered trademarks and all applications for any of the foregoing.
“Parent Restricted Stock Units” means any equity award with respect to Parent Common Stock that represents the right to receive in the future shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to any Parent Stock Plan.
“Parent Triggering Event” shall be deemed to have occurred if, prior to the approval of this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions by Parent’s stockholders and subject to Section 6.3(c): (a) Parent shall have failed to include in the Proxy Statement the Parent Board Recommendation, (b) the Parent Board or any committee thereof shall have made a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change or subject to Section 6.3(e), publicly proposed, endorsed or recommended any Acquisition Proposal or (c) Parent shall have entered into any letter of intent or similar document or any Contract relating to any Acquisition Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement permitted pursuant to Section 5.4).
“Party” or “Parties” means the Company, Merger Subs and Parent.
“Permitted Alternative Agreement” means a definitive agreement that contemplates or otherwise relates to an Acquisition Transaction that constitutes a Superior Offer.
“Permitted Encumbrance” means (a) any statutory liens for current Taxes not yet due and payable or for Taxes that are being contested in good faith by the appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves will be or have been made on the Company Financial Statements or the Parent Balance Sheet, as applicable, in accordance with GAAP, (b) minor non-monetary liens that have arisen in the Ordinary Course of Business and that do not (in any case or in the aggregate) materially detract from the value of the assets subject thereto or materially impair the operations of the Company or Parent, as applicable, (c) statutory liens to secure obligations to landlords, lessors or renters under leases or rental agreements, (d) deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment of, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or similar programs mandated by Law, (e) statutory liens in favor of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen, to secure claims for labor, materials or supplies for amounts that are not yet due and payable and (f) liens arising under applicable securities Law.
15
“Person” means any individual, Entity or Governmental Authority.
“Personal Information” means any data or information that constitutes “personal information,” “personal data,” “personally identifiable information,” “protected health information,” or any analogous term under applicable Law, including any such information that identifies, relates to, describes, is linked to, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with any identified or identifiable individual or household.
“Privacy Laws” mean, collectively, (i) all Laws governing privacy, data protection, data security, trans-border data flow, data loss, data theft, breach notification, data localization, sending solicited or unsolicited electronic mail or text messages, cookies or other tracking technology, or the collection, handling, use, maintenance, storage, disclosure, transfer, or other processing of Personal Information, including any such legally binding requirements set forth in regulations and agreements containing consent orders published by regulatory authorities of competent jurisdiction such as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Federal Communications Commission, or state data protection authorities, including HIPAA, Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and U.S. state consumer protection and data breach notification Laws, and (ii) any legally binding requirements of any self-regulatory organizations governing data privacy, data protection, data security, trans-border data flow, data loss, data theft, breach notification, data localization, sending solicited or unsolicited electronic mail or text messages, cookies or other tracking technology, or the collection, handling, use, maintenance, storage, disclosure, transfer, or other processing of Personal Information, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
“Representatives” means with respect to a Person, such Person’s directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, advisors and other representatives.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Subsequent Transaction” means any Acquisition Transaction (with all references to 20% in the definition of Acquisition Transaction being treated as references to 50% for these purposes).
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to an Entity, a Person if such Person directly or indirectly owns or purports to own, beneficially or of record, (a) an amount of voting securities or other interests in such Entity that is sufficient to enable such Person to elect at least a majority of the members of such entity’s board of directors or other governing body or (b) at least 50% of the outstanding equity, voting, beneficial or financial interests in such Entity.
16
“Superior Offer” means an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal (with all references to 20% in the definition of Acquisition Transaction being treated as references to 50% for these purposes) that: (a) was not obtained or made as a direct or indirect result of a breach of this Agreement, (b) is on terms and conditions that the Parent Board or the Company Board, as applicable, determines in good faith, based on such matters that it deems relevant (including the likelihood of consummation thereof and the financing terms thereof), as well as any written offer by the other Party to this Agreement to amend the terms of this Agreement, and following consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, if any, are more favorable, from a financial point of view, to Parent’s stockholders or the Company’s stockholders, as applicable, than the terms of the Contemplated Transactions, (c) is not subject to any financing conditions (and if financing is required, such financing is then fully committed to the third party) and (d) is reasonably capable of being completed on the terms proposed.
“Tax Return” means any return (including any information return), report, statement, declaration, claim or refund, estimate, schedule, notice, notification, form, election, certificate or other document or information, and any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Authority (or provided to a payee) in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or compliance with any Law relating to any Tax.
“Tax” means any U.S. federal, state, local, foreign or other tax, including any income tax, franchise tax, capital gains tax, gross receipts tax, value-added tax, surtax, estimated tax, employment tax, unemployment tax, national health insurance tax, environmental tax, excise tax, ad valorem tax, transfer tax, conveyance tax, stamp tax, sales tax, use tax, property tax, business tax, withholding tax, payroll tax, social security tax, customs duty, licenses tax, alternative or add-on minimum or other tax or similar charge, duty, levy, fee, tariff, impost, obligation or assessment in the nature of a tax (whether imposed directly or through withholding and whether or not disputed), and including any fine, penalty, addition to tax, interest or additional amount imposed by a Governmental Authority with respect thereto (or attributable to the nonpayment thereof).
“Treasury Regulations” means the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.
(b) Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:
Terms | Section |
AAA | 2.8(i) |
Accounting Firm | 2.8(i) |
Agreement | Preamble |
Allocation Certificate | 6.15 |
Assumed Option | 6.5(a) |
Assumed Warrant | 6.5(b) |
Capitalization Date | 4.6(a) |
Cash Determination Time | 2.8(a) |
Certificate of Merger | 2.3 |
17
Certifications | 4.7(a) |
Closing Date | 2.3 |
Closing | 2.3 |
Company 409A Plan | 3.17(j) |
Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change | 6.2(d) |
Company Board Recommendation | 6.2(c) |
Company Disclosure Letter | Section 3 |
Company Financial Statements | 6.1(d) |
Company Intervening Event | 6.2(d) |
Company Material Contract | 3.13(a) |
Company Material Contracts | 3.13(a) |
Company Permits | 3.14(b) |
Company Product Candidates | 3.14(d) |
Company Real Estate Leases | 3.11 |
Company Regulatory Permits | 3.14(d) |
Company Required S-4 Information | 6.1(c) |
Company Stockholder Support Agreement | Recital |
Company Stockholder Written Consents | 6.2(a) |
Company Termination Fee | 10.3(b) |
Company Valuation Calculation | 2.8(b) |
Company Valuation Delivery Date | 2.8(b) |
Company Valuation Determination Time | 2.8(b) |
Company Valuation Dispute Notice | 2.8(d) |
Company Valuation Response Date | 2.8(d) |
Company Valuation Schedule | 2.8(b) |
Company | Preamble |
Concurrent Investment | Preamble |
Costs | 6.7(a) |
D&O Indemnified Parties | 6.7(a) |
Dispute Notice | 2.8(c) |
Dissenting Shares | 2.12(a) |
Drug/Device Regulatory Agency | 3.14(b) |
Employment-Related Laws | 3.17(k) |
End Date | 10.1(b) |
Exchange Agent | 2.7(a) |
FDA | 3.14(b) |
FDCA | 3.14(c) |
First Certificate of Merger | 2.3 |
First Effective Time | 2.3 |
First Merger | Recital |
First Step Surviving Corporation | Section 2 |
Form S-4 | 6.1(a) |
18
GAAP | Error! Reference source not found. |
Intended Tax Treatment | 2.10 |
Liability | 3.9 |
Lock-Up Agreement | Recital |
Lock-Up Agreements | Recital |
Merger Consideration | 2.5(a)(ii) |
Merger Subs | Preamble |
Merger | Recital |
Nasdaq Fees | 6.9 |
Nasdaq Listing Application | 6.9 |
Notice Period | 6.2(d) |
Ordinary Course Agreement | 3.16(g) |
Parent 409A Plan | 4.17(j) |
Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change | 6.3(c) |
Parent Board Recommendation | 6.3(b) |
Parent Charter Amendment | 2.4(b)(ii) |
Parent Disclosure Letter | Section 4 |
Parent Intervening Event | 6.3(c) |
Parent Material Contract | 4.13(a) |
Parent Material Contracts | 4.13(a) |
Parent Net Cash Calculation | 2.8(a) |
Parent Net Cash Schedule | 2.8(a) |
Parent Notice Period | 6.3(c) |
Parent Permits | 4.14(b) |
Parent Product Candidates | 4.14(d) |
Parent Real Estate Leases | 4.11 |
Parent Regulatory Permits | 4.14(d) |
Parent SEC Documents | 4.7(a) |
Parent Stock Plans | 4.6(c) |
Parent Stockholder Matters | 6.3(a) |
Parent Stockholder Meeting | 6.3(a) |
Parent Stockholder Support Agreement | Recital |
Parent | Preamble |
PHSA | 3.14(c) |
Post-Closing Welfare Plan | 6.6(b) |
Pre-Closing Period | 5.1(a) |
Privacy Policies | 3.22 |
Proxy Statement | 6.1(a) |
Registration Statement | 6.1(a) |
Required Company Stockholder Vote | 3.4 |
Required Parent Stockholder Vote | 4.4 |
Response Date | 2.8(c) |
19
SEC Documents | 6.16 |
Second Certificate of Merger | 2.3 |
Second Effective Time | 2.3 |
Second Merger | Recital |
Stockholder Notice | 6.2(b) |
Subscription Agreement | Recital |
Surviving Entity | Section 2 |
Tax Certificates | 6.10(c) |
Transaction Litigation | 6.4(c) |
WARN Act | 3.17(k) |
1.2 Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof. References to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules are to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular, the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine and neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine gender. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation,” whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. The word “or” is not exclusive. “Writing,” “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any agreement or Contract (except for references to any agreements or Contracts listed on the Parent Disclosure Letter or Company Disclosure Letter) are to that agreement or Contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. The Exhibits to this Agreement, the Parent Disclosure Letter and the Company Disclosure Letter are integral parts of the interpretation of this Agreement, but only Exhibit D-1 (including Exhibit A to such Exhibit) and Exhibit D-2 is incorporated by reference and made a part hereof for purposes of Section 251 of the DGCL. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References to any statute are to that statute and to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in each case as amended, modified, re-enacted thereof, substituted, from time to time. References to “$” and “dollars” are to the currency of the United States. All accounting terms used herein will be interpreted, and all accounting determinations hereunder will be made, in accordance with GAAP unless otherwise expressly specified. References from or through any date shall mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively. All references to “days” shall be to calendar days unless otherwise indicated as a “Business Day.” Except as otherwise specifically indicated, for purposes of measuring the beginning and ending of time periods in this Agreement (including for purposes of “Business Day” and for hours in a day or Business Day), the time at which a thing, occurrence or event shall begin or end shall be deemed to occur in the Eastern time zone of the United States. The Parties agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting Party shall not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The Parties agree that the Company Disclosure Letter or Parent Disclosure Letter shall be arranged in sections and subsections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in Section 3 or Section 4, respectively. The disclosures in any section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter or the Parent Disclosure Letter shall qualify other sections and subsections in Section 3 or Section 4, respectively, to the extent it is readily apparent from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure is applicable to such other sections and subsections. The words “delivered” or “made available” mean, with respect to any documentation, that prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date that is the day prior to the date of this Agreement, a copy of such material has been (a) posted to and continuously made available by a Party to the other Party and its Representatives in the electronic data room maintained by such disclosing Party for the purposes of the Contemplated Transactions or (b) delivered by or on behalf of a Party or its Representatives to the other Party or its Representatives via electronic mail or in hard copy form prior to the execution of this Agreement.
20
Section 2. Description of Transaction.
2.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the First Effective Time, First Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, and the separate existence of First Merger Sub shall cease. The Company will continue as the surviving corporation in the First Merger (the “First Step Surviving Corporation”). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Second Effective Time, the First Step Surviving Corporation will merge with and into Second Merger Sub, and the separate existence of the First Step Surviving Corporation shall cease. As a result of the Second Merger, Second Merger Sub will continue as the surviving entity in the Second Merger (the “Surviving Entity”).
2.2 Effects of the Merger. The First Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. As a result of the First Merger, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The Second Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL and the DLLCA.
2.3 Closing; First Effective Time; Second Effective Time. Unless this Agreement is earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section Section 10, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 7, Section 8 and Section 9, the consummation of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place remotely, as promptly as practicable (but in no event later than the second Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of the last to be satisfied or waived of the conditions set forth in 6.19, Section 8 and Section 9, other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of such conditions), or at such other time, date and place as Parent and the Company may mutually agree in writing. The date on which the Closing actually takes place is referred to as the “Closing Date.” Immediately prior to the Closing on the Closing Date, Parent shall file the Certificate of Designation with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. At the Closing, (i) the Parties shall cause the First Merger to be consummated by executing and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of merger with respect to the Merger, satisfying the applicable requirements of the DGCL and in form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit D-1 and incorporated herein by reference (the “First Certificate of Merger”) and (ii) the Parties shall cause the Second Merger to be consummated by executing and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of merger with respect to the Second Merger, satisfying the applicable requirements of the DGCL and the DLLCA and in form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit D-2 and incorporated herein by reference (the “Second Certificate of Merger” and together with the First Certificate of Merger, the “Certificate of Merger”). The First Merger shall become effective at the time of the filing of such Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be specified in such Certificate of Merger with the consent of Parent and the Company (the time as of which the Merger becomes effective being referred to as the “First Effective Time”). The Second Merger shall become effective at the time of the filing of such Second Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be specified in such Second Certificate of Merger with the consent of Parent and the Company (the time as of which the Second Merger becomes effective being referred to as the “Second Effective Time”).
21
2.4 Organizational Documents; Directors and Officers.
(a) At the First Effective Time:
(i) The certificate of incorporation of the First Step Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated in the Merger to read as set forth on Exhibit A to the First Certificate of Merger, until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL and such certificate of incorporation;
(ii) The bylaws of the First Step Surviving Corporation shall be identical to the bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the First Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL and such bylaws; and
(iii) The directors and officers of the First Step Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the First Step Surviving Corporation, shall be such persons as are designated by the Company prior to the First Effective Time.
(b) At the Second Effective Time:
(i) The certificate of formation of the Surviving Entity shall be the certificate of formation of Second Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Second Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DLLCA and such certificate of formation; provided, however, that at the Second Effective Time (as part of the Second Certificate of Merger), the certificate of formation shall be amended to (A) change the name of the Surviving Entity to “Crescent Biopharma Operating Company, LLC,” and (B) make such other changes as are mutually agreed to by Parent and the Company;
(ii) The limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Entity shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read identically to the limited liability company agreement of Second Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Second Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DLLCA and such limited liability company agreement; provided, however, that following the Second Effective Time (but as soon thereafter as practicable), the limited liability company agreement shall be amended to change the name of the Surviving Entity to “Crescent Biopharma Operating Company, LLC”;
22
(iii) The certificate of incorporation of Parent shall be identical to the certificate of incorporation of Parent immediately prior to the Second Effective Time, until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL and such certificate of incorporation; provided, however, that at the Second Effective Time, Parent shall file an amendment to its certificate of incorporation to (i) change the name of Parent to “Crescent Biopharma, Inc.”, (ii) effect the Nasdaq Reverse Split (to the extent applicable and necessary), (iii) increase the number of shares of Parent Capital Stock that Parent is authorized to issue to a number mutually agreed between Parent and the Company, such amount to be sufficient to allow for consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, (iv) redomicile Parent from Delaware to such jurisdiction as may be determined by the Company (being either the Cayman Islands or Bermuda), and (v) make such other changes as are mutually agreeable to Parent and the Company (such amendment, the “Parent Charter Amendment”);
(iv) The directors and officers of Parent, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent, shall be as set forth in Section 6.12; and
(v) The directors and officers of Surviving Entity, each to hold office in accordance with the certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement of Second Merger Sub, shall be as set forth in Section 6.12 after giving effect to the provisions of Section 6.12, or such other persons as shall be mutually agreed upon by Parent and the Company.
2.5 Conversion of Company, First Merger Sub and Second Merger Sub Equity Securities.
(a) At the First Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of Parent, Merger Subs, the Company or any stockholder of the Company or Parent:
(i) any shares of Company Capital Stock held as treasury stock immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor; and
(ii) subject to Section 2.5(c), (A) each share of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time (excluding shares of Company Capital Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 2.5(a)(i) and excluding Dissenting Shares) shall be converted solely into the right to receive a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio, and (B) each share of Company Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time (excluding shares of Company Capital Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 2.5(a)(i) and excluding Dissenting Shares) shall be converted solely into the right to receive a number of shares of Parent Convertible Preferred Stock equal to (x) the Exchange Ratio divided by (y) 1,000 (collectively, the “Merger Consideration”).
23
(b) If any shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time are unvested or are subject to a repurchase option or a risk of forfeiture under any applicable restricted stock purchase agreement or other similar agreement with the Company, then the shares of Parent Capital Stock issued in exchange for such shares of Company Capital Stock will to the same extent be unvested and subject to the same repurchase option or risk of forfeiture, and such shares of Parent Capital Stock shall accordingly be marked with appropriate legends. The Company shall take all actions that may be necessary to ensure that, from and after the First Effective Time, Parent is entitled to exercise any such repurchase option or other right set forth in any such restricted stock purchase agreement or other agreement.
(c) No fractional shares of Parent Capital Stock shall be issued in connection with the Merger, and no certificates or scrip for any such fractional shares shall be issued. Any holder of Company Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock (on a per certificate basis) shall receive from Parent, in lieu of such fractional share and upon surrender by such holder of a letter of transmittal in accordance with Section 2.7 and any accompanying documents as required therein: (i) one share of Parent Common Stock if the aggregate amount of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock such holder of Company Common Stock would otherwise be entitled to is equal to or exceeds 0.50; or (ii) no shares of Parent Common Stock if the aggregate amount of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock such holder of Company Common Stock would otherwise be entitled to is less than 0.50, with no cash being paid for any fractional share eliminated by such rounding. Any fractional shares of Parent Preferred Stock that a holder of Company Preferred Stock would otherwise be entitled to receive shall be aggregated with all fractional shares of Parent Preferred Stock issuable to such and any remaining fractional shares shall be, in lieu of such fractional share and upon surrender by such holder of a letter of transmittal in accordance with Section 2.7 and any accompanying documents as required therein, rounded up to the nearest whole share of Parent Preferred Stock.
(d) All Company Options (including any Service Provider Grants) outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall be treated in accordance with Section 6.5(a). All Company Warrants outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall be treated in accordance with Section 6.5(b).
(e) Each share of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of First Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the First Step Surviving Corporation. Each book entry share of First Merger Sub evidencing ownership of any such shares shall, as of the First Effective Time, evidence ownership of such shares of common stock of the First Step Surviving Corporation.
(f) If, between the date of this Agreement and the First Effective Time, the outstanding Company Capital Stock or Parent Capital Stock shall have been changed into, or exchanged for, a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split (including the Nasdaq Reverse Split to the extent such split has not previously been taken into account in calculating the Exchange Ratio), combination or exchange of shares or other like change, the Exchange Ratio shall, to the extent necessary, be equitably adjusted to reflect such change to the extent necessary to provide the holders of Company Capital Stock, Company Options, Company Warrants and Parent Capital Stock with the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares or other like change; provided, however, that nothing herein will be construed to permit the Company or Parent to take any action with respect to Company Capital Stock or Parent Capital Stock, respectively, that is prohibited or not expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
24
(g) At the Second Effective Time, by virtue of the Second Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, the First Step Surviving Corporation, Second Merger Sub or their respective stockholders, each share of the First Step Surviving Corporation issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Second Effective Time shall be canceled and extinguished without any conversion thereof and no payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto.
2.6 Closing of the Company’s Transfer Books. At the First Effective Time: (a) all Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall be treated in accordance with Section 2.5(a), and all holders of certificates representing Company Capital Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall cease to have any rights as stockholders of the Company and (b) the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed with respect to all Company Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time. No further transfer of any such Company Capital Stock shall be made on such stock transfer books after the First Effective Time.
2.7 Surrender of Company Capital Stock.
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, Parent and the Company shall jointly select a reputable bank, transfer agent or trust company to act as exchange agent in the Merger (the “Exchange Agent”). At the First Effective Time, Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent evidence of book-entry shares representing the shares of Parent Capital Stock issuable pursuant to Section 2.5(a) in exchange for Company Capital Stock.
(b) Promptly after the First Effective Time, the Parties shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to the Persons who were record holders of shares of Company Capital Stock that were converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration: (i) a letter of transmittal in customary form and containing such provisions as Parent may reasonably specify (including a provision confirming that delivery of physical stock certificates representing shares of Company Capital Stock, (the “Company Stock Certificates”) shall be effected, and risk of loss and title shall pass, only upon delivery of such Company Stock Certificates to the Exchange Agent) and (ii) instructions for effecting the surrender of Company Stock Certificates, or uncertificated shares of Company Capital Stock, in exchange for book-entry shares of Parent Capital Stock. Upon surrender of a Company Stock Certificate or other reasonable evidence of the ownership of uncertificated Company Capital Stock to the Exchange Agent for exchange, together with a duly executed letter of transmittal and such other documents as may be reasonably required by the Exchange Agent or Parent: (A) the holder of such Company Stock Certificate or uncertificated shares of Company Capital Stock shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor book-entry shares representing the Merger Consideration (in a number of whole shares of Parent Capital Stock) that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.5(a) and Section 2.5(c) and (B) the Company Stock Certificate or uncertificated shares of Company Capital Stock so surrendered shall be canceled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.7(b), each Company Stock Certificate or uncertificated shares of Company Capital Stock shall be deemed, from and after the First Effective Time, to represent only the right to receive book-entry shares of Parent Capital Stock representing the Merger Consideration. If any Company Stock Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, Parent may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the delivery of any shares of Parent Capital Stock, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Stock Certificate to provide an applicable affidavit with respect to such Company Stock Certificate and post a bond indemnifying Parent against any claim suffered by Parent related to the lost, stolen or destroyed Company Stock Certificate or any Parent Capital Stock issued in exchange therefor as Parent may reasonably request.
25
(c) No dividends or other distributions declared or made with respect to Parent Capital Stock with a record date after the First Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Company Stock Certificate with respect to the shares of Parent Capital Stock that such holder has the right to receive in the Merger until such holder surrenders such Company Stock Certificate or uncertificated shares of Company Capital Stock or provides an affidavit of loss or destruction in lieu thereof in accordance with this Section 2.7 (at which time such holder shall be entitled, subject to the effect of applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws, to receive all such dividends and distributions, without interest).
(d) Any shares of Parent Capital Stock deposited with the Exchange Agent that remain undistributed to holders of Company Stock Certificates as of the date that is 180 days after the Closing Date shall be delivered to Parent upon demand, and any holders of Company Stock Certificates who have not theretofore surrendered their Company Stock Certificates or uncertificated shares of Company Capital Stock in accordance with this Section 2.7 shall thereafter look only to Parent for satisfaction of their claims for Parent Capital Stock and any dividends or distributions with respect to shares of Parent Capital Stock.
(e) No Person shall be liable to any holder of any Company Stock Certificate or uncertificated shares of Company Capital Stock or to any other Person with respect to any shares of Parent Capital Stock (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or for any cash amounts delivered to any public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property Law, escheat Law or similar Law.
2.8 Calculation of Net Cash and Company Valuation.
(a) No later than five (5) Business Days before the Closing, Parent will deliver to the Company a schedule (the “Parent Net Cash Schedule”) setting forth, in reasonable detail, Parent’s good faith, estimated calculation of the components of Parent Net Cash, including any Parent Net Cash Lower Amount or Parent Net Cash Upper Amount (the “Parent Net Cash Calculation”) as of 11:59 p.m. on the Business Day prior to the Anticipated Closing Date (the “Cash Determination Time”) prepared and certified by Parent’s chief financial officer (or if there is no chief financial officer at such time, the principal financial and accounting officer for Parent). Parent shall make available to the Company (electronically to the greatest extent possible) as reasonably requested by the Company, the work papers and back-up materials used or useful in preparing the Parent Net Cash Schedule and, if reasonably requested by the Company, Parent’s internal finance personnel and its accountants and counsel at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice. The Parent Net Cash Calculation shall include Parent’s determination, as of the Cash Determination Time, of the defined terms in Section 1.1(a) necessary to calculate the Exchange Ratio. During the period after the delivery of the Parent Net Cash Schedule and prior to the Closing, the Company shall have an opportunity to review the Parent Net Cash Schedule and Parent shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in good faith to respond to any questions regarding the Parent Net Cash Schedule raised by the Company; provided, that this shall in no way limit or otherwise affect the Company’s remedies under this Agreement or otherwise, or constitute an acknowledgement by the Company of the accuracy of the amounts reflected therein.
26
(b) No later than five (5) Business Days before the Closing, the Company will deliver to Parent a schedule (the “Company Valuation Schedule”) setting forth, in reasonable detail, the Company’s good faith, estimated calculations of the components of the Company Valuation (the “Company Valuation Calculation”) and the date of delivery of such schedule being (the “Company Valuation Delivery Date”) as of 11:59 p.m. on the last Business Day prior to the Anticipated Closing Date (the “Company Valuation Determination Time”) prepared and certified by the Company’s chief financial officer (or if there is no chief financial officer at such time, the principal financial and accounting officer for the Company). The Company shall make available to Parent, as reasonably requested by Parent, the work papers and back-up materials used or useful in preparing the Company Valuation Schedule and, if reasonably requested by Parent, the Company’s accountants and counsel at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice. During the period after the delivery of the Company Valuation Schedule and prior to the Closing, Parent shall have an opportunity to review the Company Valuation Schedule and the Company shall reasonably cooperate with Parent in good faith to respond to any questions regarding the Company Valuation Schedule raised by Parent; provided, that this shall in no way limit or otherwise affect the Parent’s remedies under this Agreement or otherwise, or constitute an acknowledgement by Parent of the accuracy of the amounts reflected therein.
(c) No later than three (3) Business Days after the Cash Determination Time (the last day of such period, the “Response Date”), the Company shall have the right to dispute any part of the Parent Net Cash Calculation by delivering a written notice to that effect to Parent (a “Dispute Notice”). Any Dispute Notice shall identify in reasonable detail and to the extent known the nature and amounts of any proposed revisions to the Parent Net Cash Calculation and will be accompanied by reasonably detailed materials supporting the basis for such revisions.
(d) No later than three (3) Business Days after the Company Valuation Delivery Date (the last day of such period, the “Company Valuation Response Date”), Parent shall have the right to dispute any part of the Company Valuation Calculation by delivering a written notice to that effect to the Company (a “Company Valuation Dispute Notice”). Any Company Valuation Dispute Notice shall identify in reasonable detail and to the extent known the nature and amounts of any proposed revisions to the Company Valuation Calculation and will be accompanied by reasonably detailed materials supporting the basis for such revisions.
(e) If, on or prior to the Response Date, the Company notifies Parent in writing that it has no objections to the Parent Net Cash Calculation or, if on the Response Date, the Company fails to deliver a Dispute Notice as provided in Section 2.8(c), then the Parent Net Cash Calculation as set forth in the Parent Net Cash Schedule shall be deemed to have been finally determined for purposes of this Agreement and to represent the Parent Net Cash at the Cash Determination Time for purposes of this Agreement.
27
(f) If, on or prior to the Company Valuation Response Date, Parent notifies the Company in writing that it has no objections to the Company Valuation Calculation or, if on the Company Valuation Response Date, Parent fails to deliver a Company Valuation Dispute Notice as provided in Section 2.8(d), then the Company Valuation Calculation as set forth in the Company Valuation Schedule shall be deemed to have been finally determined for purposes of this Agreement and to represent the Company Valuation at the Company Valuation Determination Time for purposes of this Agreement.
(g) If the Company delivers a Dispute Notice on or prior to the Response Date, then Representatives of Parent and the Company shall promptly meet and attempt in good faith to resolve the disputed item(s) and negotiate an agreed-upon determination of Parent Net Cash, which agreed upon the Parent Net Cash amount shall be deemed to have been finally determined for purposes of this Agreement and to represent the Parent Net Cash at the Cash Determination Time for purposes of this Agreement.
(h) If Parent delivers a Company Valuation Dispute Notice on or prior to the Company Valuation Response Date, then Representatives of Parent and the Company shall promptly meet and attempt in good faith to resolve the disputed item(s) and negotiate an agreed-upon determination of the components of the Company Valuation, which agreed upon Company Valuation amount shall be deemed to have been finally determined for purposes of this Agreement and to represent the Company Valuation at the Company Valuation Determination Time for purposes of this Agreement.
(i) If Representatives of Parent and the Company are unable to negotiate an agreed-upon determination of Parent Net Cash as of the Cash Determination Time pursuant to Section 2.8(g) or the components of Company Valuation as of the Company Valuation Determination Time pursuant to Section 2.8(h) within three days after delivery of the Dispute Notice or the Company Valuation Dispute Notice, as applicable, (or such other period as Parent and the Company may mutually agree upon), then any remaining disagreements as to the calculation of Parent Net Cash or Company Valuation shall be referred to an independent auditor of recognized national standing jointly selected by Parent and the Company. If the parties are unable to select an independent auditor within five (5) days, then either Parent or the Company may thereafter request that the Boston, Massachusetts Office of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) make such selection (either the independent auditor jointly selected by both parties or such independent auditor selected by the AAA, the “Accounting Firm”). Parent and the Company shall promptly deliver to the Accounting Firm the work papers and back-up materials used in preparing the Parent Net Cash Schedule and the Dispute Notice and the Company Valuation Schedule and the Company Valuation Dispute Notice, and Parent and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Accounting Firm to make its determination within five (5) Business Days of accepting its selection. Parent and the Company shall be afforded the opportunity to present to the Accounting Firm any material related to the unresolved disputes and to discuss the issues with the Accounting Firm; provided, however, that no such presentation or discussion shall occur without the presence of a Representative of each of Parent and the Company. The determination of the Accounting Firm shall be limited to the disagreements submitted to the Accounting Firm. The determination of the amount of Parent Net Cash or the components of the Company Valuation made by the Accounting Firm shall be made in writing delivered to each of Parent and the Company, shall be final and binding on Parent and the Company and shall (absent manifest error) be deemed to have been finally determined for purposes of this Agreement and to represent the Parent Net Cash at the Cash Determination Time or the components of the Company Valuation at the Company Valuation Determination Time for purposes of this Agreement. The Parties shall delay the Closing until the resolution of the matters described in this Section 2.8(i). The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be allocated between Parent and the Company in the same proportion that the disputed amount of the Parent Net Cash or the Company Valuation that was unsuccessfully disputed by such Party (as finally determined by the Accounting Firm) bears to the total disputed amount of the Parent Net Cash amount or the components of the Company Valuation. If this Section 2.8(i) applies as to the determination of the Parent Net Cash at the Cash Determination Time or to the determination of the components of the Company Valuation at the Company Valuation Determination Time, as applicable, upon resolution of the matter in accordance with this Section 2.8(i), the Parties shall not be required to determine Parent Net Cash or the Company Valuation again even though the Closing may occur later than the Anticipated Closing Date, except that either Parent and the Company may request a redetermination of Parent Net Cash or the Company Valuation if the Closing Date is more than thirty (30) days after the Anticipated Closing Date.
28
2.9 Further Action. If, at any time after the First Effective Time, any further action is determined by the Surviving Entity to be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving Entity with full right, title and possession of and to all rights and property of the Company, then the officers and directors of the Surviving Entity shall be fully authorized, and shall use their and its commercially reasonable efforts (in the name of the Company, in the name of First Merger Sub, in the name of Second Merger Sub, in the name of the Surviving Entity and otherwise) to take such action.
2.10 Intended Tax Treatment. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, for U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) income Tax purposes, the Merger is intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code (the “Intended Tax Treatment”). The Parties adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3.
2.11 Withholding. Each of the Exchange Agent, Parent and the Surviving Entity shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration deliverable pursuant to this Agreement to any Person such amounts as are required to be deducted or withheld from such consideration under applicable Law; provided that the Exchange Agent, Parent and the Surviving Entity shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify such Persons of any intention to withhold any portion of such consideration and cooperate with such Persons to reduce or eliminate any such withholding to the extent permitted by applicable Law. To the extent such amounts are so deducted or withheld and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid to the Person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid. All payments made under this agreement that constitute compensation to employees for services for Tax purposes shall be made through the payroll of the Surviving Entity or Parent, as applicable.
29
2.12 Appraisal Rights.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Capital Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time and which are held by stockholders or owned by beneficial owners who have exercised and perfected appraisal rights for such shares of Company Capital Stock in accordance with the DGCL (collectively, the “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration described in Section 2.5 attributable to such Dissenting Shares. Such stockholders or beneficial owners shall be entitled to receive payment of the fair value of such shares of Company Capital Stock held by them in accordance with the DGCL, unless and until such stockholders or beneficial owners fail to perfect or effectively withdraw or otherwise lose their appraisal rights under the DGCL. All Dissenting Shares held by stockholders or owned by beneficial owners who shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost their right to appraisal of such shares of Company Capital Stock under the DGCL (whether occurring before, at or after the First Effective Time) shall thereupon be deemed to be converted into and to have become exchangeable for, as of the First Effective Time, the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, attributable to such Dissenting Shares upon their surrender in the manner provided in Sections 2.5 and 2.7.
(b) The Company shall give Parent prompt written notice of any demands by dissenting stockholders or beneficial owners received by the Company, withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served on the Company and any material correspondence received by the Company in connection with such demands, and Parent shall have the right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. The Company shall not, except with Parent’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demands, or approve any withdrawal of any such demands or agree to do any of the foregoing.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
Except as set forth in the written disclosure document delivered by the Company to Parent (the “Company Disclosure Letter”) concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Subs as follows:
3.1 Due Organization; Subsidiaries.
(a) The Company is a corporation or other legal entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has all necessary power and authority: (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted, (ii) to own or lease and use its property and assets in the manner in which its property and assets are currently owned or leased and used and (iii) to perform its obligations under all Contracts by which it is bound.
(b) The Company is duly licensed and qualified to do business, and is in good standing (to the extent applicable in such jurisdiction), under the Laws of all jurisdictions where the nature of its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted requires such licensing or qualification other than in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified individually or in the aggregate would not be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
30
(c) The Company has no Subsidiaries and the Company does not own any capital stock or membership interests of, or any equity, ownership or profit sharing interest of any nature in, or controls directly or indirectly, any other Entity. The Company is not and has never otherwise been, directly or indirectly, a party to, member of or participant in any partnership, joint venture or similar business entity. The Company has not agreed or is obligated to make, or is bound by any Contract under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other Entity. The Company has not, at any time, been a general partner of, or has otherwise been liable for any of the debts or other obligations of, any general partnership, limited partnership or other Entity.
3.2 Organizational Documents. The Company has delivered to Parent accurate and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of the Company. The Company is not in breach or violation of its Organizational Documents in any material respect.
3.3 Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement. The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. The Company Board has (i) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholders of the Company vote to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent, First Merger Sub and Second Merger Sub, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
3.4 Vote Required. The affirmative vote (or written consent) of (i) the holders of a majority of the shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding on the record date, voting as a single class on an as-converted basis, and (ii) the holders of a majority of the shares of Company Series Seed Preferred Stock outstanding on the record date and entitled to vote thereon, voting as a separate class, is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of Company Capital Stock necessary to adopt and approve this Agreement and approve the Contemplated Transactions (collectively, the “Required Company Stockholder Vote”).
3.5 Non-Contravention; Consents.
(a) Subject to obtaining the Required Company Stockholder Vote, compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act (if applicable) and the filing of the Certificate of Merger and Certificate of Designation required by the DGCL or DLLCA, neither (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company, nor (y) the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, will directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time):
(i) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the provisions of the Company’s Organizational Documents;
31
(ii) contravene, conflict with or result in a material violation of, or give any Governmental Authority or other Person the right to challenge the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Law or any Order by which the Company, or any of the assets owned or used by the Company, is subject;
(iii) contravene, conflict with or result in a material violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Authority the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by the Company or that otherwise relates to the business of the Company, or any of the assets owned, leased or used by the Company;
(iv) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or result in a default under, any provision of any Company Material Contract, or give any Person the right to: (A) declare a default or exercise any remedy under any Company Material Contract, (B) any material payment, rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule under any Company Material Contract, (C) accelerate the maturity or performance of any Company Material Contract or (D) cancel, terminate or modify any term of any Company Material Contract, except in the case of any nonmaterial breach, default, penalty or modification; or
(v) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to any asset owned or used by the Company (except for Permitted Encumbrances).
(b) Except for (i) the Required Company Stockholder Vote, (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger and Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL or DLLCA, (iii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act (if applicable) and (iv) such consents, waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable federal and state securities laws, the Company was not, is not, nor will be required to make any filing with or give any notice to, or to obtain any Consent from, any Person in connection with (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or (y) the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
(c) No state takeover statute or similar Law applies or purports to apply to the Merger, this Agreement, the Company Stockholder Support Agreements or any of the Contemplated Transactions.
3.6 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 40,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock of which 27,049,180 shares have been issued and are outstanding as of the date hereof and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of Company Preferred Stock, of which 20,000,000 shares have been designated Series Seed Preferred Stock and 20,000,000 have been issued and are outstanding as of the date hereof. The Company does not hold any shares of its capital stock in its treasury. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company’s capital stock is held by the Persons and in the amounts set forth in Section 3.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, which further sets forth for each such Person (i) the name of such Person and the number of shares held, (ii) the class and series of such shares, (iii) the number of the applicable book-entry positions representing such shares or the number of the certificate representing such shares, (iv) whether such Person is or has ever been an employee, and (v) the state of residence of such Person. Each share of Company Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of Company Common Stock. There are no declared or accrued but unpaid dividends with respect to any shares of the Company’s capital stock and the Company has never declared or paid any dividend or other distribution.
32
(b) All of the outstanding Company Capital Stock as set out in Section 3.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable and are free of any Encumbrances other than Encumbrances set forth in the Organizational Documents or under applicable securities Laws. None of the outstanding Company Capital Stock is entitled or subject to any preemptive right, right of participation, right of maintenance or any similar right and none of the outstanding Company Capital Stock is subject to any right of first refusal in favor of the Company. Except as contemplated herein, there is no Company Contract relating to the voting or registration of, or restricting any Person from purchasing, selling, pledging or otherwise disposing of (or granting any option or similar right with respect to), any Company Capital Stock. The Company is not under any obligation, nor is it bound by any Contract pursuant to which it may become obligated, to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding Company Capital Stock or other securities. Section 3.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter accurately and completely describes all repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to Company Capital Stock (including shares issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options) and specifies which of those repurchase rights are currently exercisable.
(c) Except for the Company Stock Plans and except as set forth on Section 3.6(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company does not have any stock option plan or any other plan, program, agreement or arrangement providing for any equity-based compensation for any Person. Section 3.6(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the following information with respect to each Company Option outstanding as of the date hereof: (i) the name of the holder, (ii) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option as of the date hereof, (iii) the exercise price of such Company Option, (iv) the date on which such Company Option was granted, (v) the applicable vesting schedule, including any acceleration provisions, (vi) the date on which such Company Option expires, (vii) whether such Company Option is intended to be an “incentive stock option” (as defined in the Code) or a nonqualified stock option and (viii) in the case of a Company Option, the plan pursuant to which such Company Option was granted. The Company has made available to Parent accurate and complete copies of equity incentive plans pursuant to which the Company has equity-based awards, the forms of all award agreements evidencing such equity-based awards and evidence of board and stockholder approval of the Company Stock Plans and any amendments thereto.
33
(d) Except for the outstanding Company Options or as set forth on Section 3.6(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there is no: (i) outstanding subscription, option, call, warrant or right (whether or not currently exercisable) to acquire any Company Capital Stock or other securities of the Company, (ii) outstanding security, instrument or obligation that is or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock or other securities of the Company, (iii) stockholder rights plan (or similar plan commonly referred to as a “poison pill”) or Contract under which the Company is or may become obligated to sell or otherwise issue any Company Capital Stock or any other securities or (iv) condition or circumstance that may give rise to or provide a basis for the assertion of a claim by any Person to the effect that such Person is entitled to acquire or receive any shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company. There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or other similar rights with respect to the Company.
(e) All outstanding Company Capital Stock, Company Options and other securities of the Company have been issued and granted in compliance in all material respects with (i) all applicable securities laws and other applicable Law and (ii) all requirements set forth in applicable Contracts.
(f) The Company Capital Stock are uncertificated.
3.7 Financial Statements.
(a) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements of the Company in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability of the Company’s assets, (iii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for the Company’s assets is compared with the existing assets at regular intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company maintains internal controls consistent with the practices of similarly situated private companies over financial reporting that provides reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes.
(b) Section 3.7(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists, and the Company has delivered to Parent accurate and complete copies of the documentation creating or governing, all securitization transactions and “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(c) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) effected by the Company.
(c) There have been no formal internal investigations regarding financial reporting or accounting policies and practices discussed with, reviewed by or initiated at the direction of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or general counsel of the Company, the Company Board or any committee thereof. Neither the Company nor its independent auditors have identified (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the design or operation of the system of internal accounting controls utilized by the Company, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Company, the Company’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by the Company or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.
34
3.8 Absence of Changes. Except as set forth on Section 3.8 of the Company Disclosure Letter, between the date of its incorporation and the date of this Agreement, the Company has conducted its business only in the Ordinary Course of Business (except for the execution and performance of this Agreement and the discussions, negotiations and transactions related thereto) and there has not been any (a) Company Material Adverse Effect or (b) action, event or occurrence that would have required consent of Parent pursuant to Section 5.2(b) of this Agreement had such action, event or occurrence taken place after the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
3.9 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Since the date of its incorporation, the Company does not have any liability, indebtedness, obligation, expense, claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of any kind, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, matured, unmatured or otherwise (each a “Liability”), except for: (a) Liabilities disclosed, reflected or reserved against (or to be disclosed, reflected or reserved against) in Company Financial Statements, (b) normal and recurring current Liabilities that have been incurred by the Company since the date hereof in the Ordinary Course of Business (none of which relates to any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of Law), (c) Liabilities for performance of obligations of the Company under Company Contracts, (d) Liabilities incurred in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and (e) Liabilities described in Section 3.9 of the Company Disclosure Letter.
3.10 Title to Assets. The Company owns and has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all tangible properties or tangible assets and equipment used or held for use in its business or operations or purported to be owned by it, including all tangible assets reflected in the books and records of the Company as being owned by the Company. All of such assets are owned or, in the case of leased assets, leased by the Company free and clear of any Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
3.11 Real Property; Leasehold. The Company does not own and has never owned any real property, nor is the Company party to any agreement to purchase or sell any real property. The Company has made available to Parent (a) an accurate and complete list of all real properties with respect to which the Company directly or indirectly holds a valid leasehold interest as well as any other real estate that is in the possession of or leased by the Company and (b) copies of all leases under which any such real property is possessed (the “Company Real Estate Leases”), each of which is in full force and effect, with no existing material default thereunder by the Company or to the Company’s Knowledge, the other party thereto.
3.12 Intellectual Property.
(a) Section 3.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter is an accurate, true and complete listing of all Company Registered IP.
(b) Section 3.12(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter accurately identifies (i) all Company Contracts pursuant to which any Company IP Rights are licensed to the Company (other than (A) any non-customized software that (1) is so licensed solely in executable or object code form pursuant to a nonexclusive, internal use software license and other Intellectual Property associated with such software and (2) is not incorporated into, or material to the development, manufacturing or distribution of, any of the Company’s products or services, (B) any Intellectual Property licensed on a nonexclusive basis ancillary to the purchase or use of services, equipment, reagents or other materials, (C) any confidential information provided under confidentiality agreements and (D) agreements between Company and its employees in Company’s standard form thereof) and (ii) whether the license or licenses granted to the Company are exclusive or nonexclusive.
35
(c) Section 3.12(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter accurately identifies each Company Contract pursuant to which any Person has been granted any license or covenant not to sue under, or otherwise has received or acquired any right (whether or not currently exercisable) or interest in, any Company IP Rights (other than (i) any confidential information provided under confidentiality agreements and (ii) any Company IP Rights nonexclusively licensed to academic collaborators, suppliers or service providers for the sole purpose of enabling such academic collaborator, supplier or service providers to provide services for the Company’s benefit).
(d) The Company is not bound by, and no Company IP Rights are subject to, any Contract containing any covenant or other provision that in any way limits or restricts the ability of the Company to use, exploit, assert or enforce any Company IP Rights anywhere in the world.
(e) The Company exclusively owns all right, title and interest to and in Company IP Rights (other than (i) Company IP Rights licensed to the Company, or co-owned rights each as identified in Section 3.12(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (ii) any non-customized software that (A) is licensed to the Company solely in executable or object code form pursuant to a nonexclusive, internal use software license and other Intellectual Property associated with such software and (B) is not incorporated into, or material to the development, manufacturing or distribution of, any of the Company’s products or services and (iii) any Intellectual Property licensed on a nonexclusive basis ancillary to the purchase or use of equipment, reagents or other materials), in each case, free and clear of any Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i) All documents and instruments necessary to register or apply for or renew registration of Company Registered IP have been validly executed, delivered and filed in a timely manner with the appropriate Governmental Authority.
(ii) Each Person who is or was an employee or contractor of the Company and who is or was involved in the creation or development of any Intellectual Property for the Company has signed a valid, enforceable agreement containing a present assignment of such Intellectual Property to the Company and confidentiality provisions protecting trade secrets and confidential information of the Company.
(iii) To the Knowledge of the Company, no current or former stockholder, officer, director or employee of the Company has any claim, right (whether currently exercisable, or exercisable in the future) or interest to or in any Company IP Rights purported to be owned by the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no employee of the Company is (a) bound by or otherwise subject to any Contract restricting him or her from performing his or her duties for the Company or (b) in breach of any Contract with any former employer or other Person concerning Company IP Rights purported to be owned by the Company or confidentiality provisions protecting trade secrets and confidential information comprising Company IP Rights purported to be owned by the Company.
36
(iv) No funding, facilities or personnel of any Governmental Authority or any university, college, research institute or other educational institution were used, directly or indirectly, to develop or create, in whole or in part, any Company IP Rights in which the Company has an ownership interest, except for any such funding or use of facilities or personnel that does not result in such Governmental Authority or institution owning such Company IP Rights or the right to receive royalties or other remuneration for the practice of such Company IP Rights as of the date of this Agreement.
(v) The Company has taken reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of and otherwise protect and enforce its rights in all proprietary information that the Company holds, or purports to hold, as confidential or a trade secret.
(vi) The Company has not assigned or otherwise transferred ownership of, or agreed to assign or otherwise transfer ownership of, any Company IP Rights to any other Person.
(f) The Company has delivered or made available to Parent, a complete and accurate copy of all Company IP Rights Agreements. With respect to each of the Company IP Rights Agreements: (i) each such agreement is valid and binding on the Company and in full force and effect, (ii) the Company has not received any written notice of termination or cancellation under such agreement, or received any written notice of breach or default under such agreement, which breach has not been cured or waived and (iii) the Company, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to any such agreement, is not in breach or default thereof in any material respect.
(g) The manufacture, marketing, offering for sale, sale, importation, use or intended use or other disposal of any product as currently sold or under development by the Company does not violate any license or agreement between the Company and any other third party, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, does not infringe or misappropriate any valid and issued Patent right or other Intellectual Property of any other Person, which infringement or misappropriation would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, no third party is infringing upon any Patents owned by Company within the Company IP Rights, or otherwise violating any Company IP Rights Agreement.
(h) As of the date of this Agreement, Company is not a party to any Legal Proceeding (including, but not limited to, opposition, interference or other proceeding in any patent or other government office) contesting the validity, enforceability, claim construction, ownership or right to use, sell, offer for sale, license or dispose of any Company IP Rights. The Company has not received any written notice asserting that any Company IP Rights or the proposed use, sale, offer for sale, license or disposition of products, methods or processes claimed or covered thereunder infringes or misappropriates or violates the rights of any other Person or that the Company has otherwise infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Intellectual Property of any Person. None of the Company IP Rights is subject to any outstanding order of, judgment of, decree of or agreement with any Governmental Authority that limits the ability of the Company to exploit any Company IP Rights.
37
(i) Each item of Company Registered IP is and at all times has been filed and maintained in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Law and all filings, payments and other actions required to be made or taken to maintain such item of Company Registered IP in full force and effect have been made by the applicable deadline. To the Knowledge of the Company, all Company Registered IP that is issued or granted is valid and enforceable.
(j) To the Knowledge of the Company, no trademark (whether registered or unregistered) or trade name owned, used or applied for by the Company conflicts or interferes with any trademark (whether registered or unregistered) or trade name owned, used or applied for by any other Person. None of the goodwill associated with or inherent in any trademark (whether registered or unregistered) in which the Company has or purports to have an ownership interest has been impaired as determined by the Company in accordance with GAAP.
(k) Except as set forth in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(c) or 3.12(k) of the Company Disclosure Letter or as contained in “off-the-shelf” license agreements entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business by the Company, (i) the Company is not bound by any Contract to indemnify, defend, hold harmless or reimburse any other Person with respect to any Intellectual Property infringement, misappropriation, or similar claim which is material to the Company, taken as a whole and (ii) the Company has never assumed, or agreed to discharge or otherwise take responsibility for, any existing or potential liability of another Person for infringement, misappropriation, or violation of any Intellectual Property right, which assumption, agreement or responsibility remains in force as of the date of this Agreement.
(l) The Company is not party to any Contract that, as a result of such execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, will cause the grant of any license or other right to any Company IP Rights, result in breach of, default under or termination of such Contract with respect to any Company IP Rights, or impair the right of the Company or the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries to use, sell or license or enforce any Company IP Rights or portion thereof, except for the occurrence of any such grant or impairment that would not individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.13 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Section 3.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists the following Company Contracts in effect as of the date of this Agreement (each, a “Company Material Contract” and collectively, the “Company Material Contracts”):
(i) each Company Contract relating to any agreement of indemnification or guaranty not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(ii) each Company Contract containing (A) any covenant limiting the freedom of the Company or the Surviving Entity to engage in any line of business or compete with any Person, or limiting the development, manufacture or distribution of the Company’s products or services (B) any most-favored pricing arrangement, (C) any exclusivity provision or (D) any non-solicitation provision;
38
(iii) each Company Contract (A) pursuant to which any Person granted the Company an exclusive license under any Intellectual Property, or (B) pursuant to which the Company granted any Person an exclusive license under any Company IP Rights;
(iv) each Company Contract relating to capital expenditures and requiring payments after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms and not cancelable without penalty;
(v) each Company Contract containing any royalty, dividend or similar arrangement based on the revenues or profits of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or of a product;
(vi) each Company Contract relating to the disposition or acquisition of material assets or any ownership interest in any Entity, in each case, involving payments in excess of $100,000 after the date of this Agreement;
(vii) each Company Contract relating to any mortgages, indentures, loans, notes or credit agreements, security agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit in excess of $100,000 or creating any material Encumbrances with respect to any assets of the Company or any loans or debt obligations with officers or directors of the Company;
(viii) each Company Contract requiring payment by or to the Company after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms relating to: (A) any distribution agreement (identifying any that contain exclusivity provisions), (B) any agreement involving provision of services or products with respect to any pre-clinical or clinical development activities of the Company, (C) any dealer, distributor, joint marketing, alliance, joint venture, cooperation, development or other agreement currently in force under which the Company has continuing obligations to develop or market any product, technology or service, or any agreement pursuant to which the Company has continuing obligations to develop any Intellectual Property that will not be owned, in whole or in part, by the Company or (D) any Contract to license any patent, trademark registration, service mark registration, trade name or copyright registration to or from any third party to manufacture or produce any product, service or technology of the Company or any Contract to sell, distribute or commercialize any products or service of the Company, in each case, except for Company Contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(ix) each Company Contract with any Person, including any financial advisor, broker, finder, investment banker or other Person, providing advisory services to the Company in connection with the Contemplated Transactions and requiring payments by Company after the date in this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms;
39
(x) each Company Contract to which the Company is a party or by which any of its assets and properties is currently bound, which involves annual obligations of payment by, or annual payments to, the Company in excess of $100,000;
(xi) each Company Contract entered into in settlement of any Legal Proceeding or other dispute pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding obligations to pay consideration in excess of $100,000;
(xii) any other Company Contract that is not terminable at will (with no penalty or payment) by the Company, and (A) which involves payment or receipt by the Company after the date of this Agreement under any such agreement, contract or commitment of more than $100,000 in the aggregate, or obligations after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate or (B) that is material to the business or operations of the Company taken as a whole; or
(xiii) Company Real Estate Leases.
(b) The Company has delivered or made available to Parent accurate and complete copies of all Company Material Contracts, including all amendments thereto. There are no Company Material Contracts that are not in written form. The Company has not, nor to the Company’s Knowledge, as of the date of this Agreement has any other party to a Company Material Contract, breached, violated or defaulted under, or received notice that it breached, violated or defaulted under, any of the terms or conditions of any Company Material Contract in such a manner, and, if such Company Material Contract provides for a cure period, the Company or such other party fails to have cured such breach, violation or default, so that any other party or the Company, as the case may be, is permitted to modify, cancel or terminate any such Company Material Contract, or would permit any other party to seek damages which would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. As to the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, each Company Material Contract is valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. No Person is renegotiating, or has a right pursuant to the terms of any Company Material Contract to change, any material amount paid or payable to the Company under any Company Material Contract or any other material term or provision of any Company Material Contract.
3.14 Compliance; Permits; Restrictions.
(a) The Company is, and has been in material compliance with all applicable Laws. No investigation, claim, suit, proceeding, audit, Order or other Legal Proceeding or action by any Governmental Authority is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company. There is no agreement or Order binding upon the Company which (i) has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of the Company, any acquisition of material property by the Company or the conduct of business by the Company as currently conducted, (ii) is reasonably likely to have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to comply with or perform any covenant or obligation under this Agreement or (iii) is reasonably likely to have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with the Contemplated Transactions.
40
(b) Except for matters regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (or any successor agency thereto) (“FDA”) or other comparable Governmental Authority responsible for regulation of the development, testing, manufacturing, processing, storage, labeling, sale, marketing, advertising, distribution and importation or exportation of drug or medical device products (“Drug/Device Regulatory Agency”), the Company holds all required Governmental Authorizations for the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted (the “Company Permits”). Section 3.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter identifies each Company Permit. The Company is in material compliance with the terms of the Company Permits. No Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, which seeks to revoke, substantially limit, suspend or materially modify any Company Permit. The rights and benefits of each Company Permit will be available to the Surviving Entity or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, immediately after the Second Effective Time on terms substantially identical to those enjoyed by the Company as of the date of this Agreement and immediately prior to the First Effective Time.
(c) There are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to an alleged violation by the Company of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”), the Public Health Service Act (“PHSA”), FDA regulations adopted thereunder, the Controlled Substances Act or any other similar Law promulgated by a Drug/Device Regulatory Agency.
(d) The Company holds all required Governmental Authorizations issuable by any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company as currently conducted, and the development, testing, manufacturing, processing, storage, labeling, sale, marketing, advertising, distribution and importation or exportation, as currently conducted, of any of its products or product candidates (the “Company Product Candidates”) (collectively, the “Company Regulatory Permits”) and no such Company Regulatory Permit has been (i) revoked, withdrawn, suspended, cancelled or terminated or (ii) modified in any adverse manner, other than immaterial adverse modifications. Section 3.14(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter identifies each Company Regulatory Permit. The Company has timely maintained and is in compliance in all material respects with the Company Regulatory Permits and has not received any written notice or correspondence or, to the Knowledge of the Company, other communication from any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency regarding (A) any material violation of or failure to comply materially with any term or requirement of any Company Regulatory Permit or (B) any revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or material modification of any Company Regulatory Permit. The Company has made available to Parent all information requested by Parent in the Company’s possession or control relating to material Company Product Candidates and the development, testing, manufacturing, processing, storage, labeling, sale, marketing, advertising, distribution and importation or exportation of the Company Product Candidates, including but not limited to complete copies of the following (to the extent there are any): (x) adverse event reports; preclinical, clinical and other study reports and material study data; inspection reports, notices of adverse findings, untitled letters, warning letters, filings and letters and other written correspondence to and from any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency; and meeting minutes with any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency and (y) similar reports, material study data, notices, letters, filings, correspondence and meeting minutes with any other Governmental Authority. All such information is accurate and complete in all material respects.
41
(e) All clinical, preclinical and other studies and tests conducted by or on behalf of, or sponsored by, the Company, or in which the Company or its current products or product candidates, including the Company Product Candidates, have participated, were, and, if still pending, are being conducted in accordance in all material respects with standard medical and scientific research procedures, in accordance in all material respects with the applicable protocols and in compliance in all material respects with the applicable regulations of the Drug/Device Regulatory Agencies and other applicable Law, including 21 C.F.R. Parts 11, 50, 54, 56, 58, 312 and 812. The Company has not received any written notices, correspondence or other communications from any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency, Governmental Authority, institutional review board, ethics committee or safety monitoring committee requiring, or to the Knowledge of the Company threatening to initiate, any action to place a clinical hold order on, or otherwise terminate, delay or suspend any clinical studies conducted by or on behalf of, or sponsored by, the Company or in which the Company or its current products or product candidates, including the Company Product Candidates, have participated. Further, no clinical investigator, researcher or clinical staff participating in any clinical study conducted by or, to the Knowledge of the Company, on behalf of the Company has been disqualified from participating in studies involving the Company Product Candidates, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no such administrative action to disqualify such clinical investigators, researchers or clinical staff has been threatened or is pending.
(f) The Company is not, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no contract manufacturer with respect to any Company Product Candidate, is the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened investigation in respect of its business or products, including Company Product Candidates, by the FDA pursuant to its “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy set forth in 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991) and any amendments thereto or by any other Drug/Device Regulatory Agency under a comparable policy. The Company has not, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no contract manufacturer, nor their respective officers, employees or agents, with respect to any Company Product Candidate has committed any acts, made any statement or failed to make any statement, in each case in respect of its business or products that would violate the FDA’s “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy, and any amendments thereto or a comparable policy of any other Drug/Device Regulatory Agency. None of the Company, and to the Knowledge of the Company, any contract manufacturer with respect to any Company Product Candidate, or any of their respective officers, employees or agents is currently or has been debarred, convicted of any crime or is engaging or has engaged in any conduct that could result in a debarment or exclusion under (i) 21 U.S.C. Section 335a or (ii) any similar applicable Law. To the Knowledge of the Company, no debarment or exclusionary claims, actions, proceedings or investigations in respect of their business or products are pending or threatened against the Company, and to the Knowledge of the Company, any contract manufacturer with respect to any Company Product Candidate, or any of their respective officers, employees or agents.
(g) All manufacturing operations conducted by, or to the Knowledge of the Company, for the benefit of the Company in connection with any Company Product Candidate have been and are being conducted in compliance in all material respects with applicable Laws, including the FDA’s standards for current good manufacturing practices, including applicable requirements contained in 21 C.F.R. Parts 210, 211 and 600-610 and the respective counterparts thereof promulgated by Governmental Authorities in countries outside the United States.
42
(h) Neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any manufacturing site of a contract manufacturer or laboratory, with respect to any Company Product Candidate, (i) is subject to a Drug/Device Regulatory Agency shutdown or import or export prohibition or (ii) has received any Form FDA 483, notice of violation, warning letter, untitled letter or similar correspondence or notice from the FDA or other Drug/Device Regulatory Agency alleging or asserting noncompliance with any applicable Law, in each case, that have not been complied with or closed to the satisfaction of the relevant Drug/Device Regulatory Agency, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, neither the FDA nor any other Drug/Device Regulatory Agency is considering such action.
3.15 Legal Proceedings; Orders.
(a) There is no pending Legal Proceeding and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person has threatened in writing to commence any Legal Proceeding: (i) that involves the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Company Associate (in his or her capacity as such) or any of the material assets owned or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) There is no Order to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the material assets owned or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is subject. To the Knowledge of the Company, no officer or Company Key Employee is subject to any Order that prohibits such officer or Company Key Employee from engaging in or continuing in any conduct, activity or practice relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any material assets owned or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.16 Tax Matters.
(a) The Company has timely filed (or caused to be timely filed) all income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns required to be filed by the Company under applicable Law (taking into account any applicable extensions). All such Tax Returns were true, correct and complete in all material respects. Subject to exceptions as would not be material, no claim has been made by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file Tax Returns that the Company is subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.
(b) All material amounts of Taxes due and owing by the Company (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid (taking into account any applicable extensions).
(c) The Company has withheld and paid to the appropriate Governmental Authority all material Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party.
43
(d) There are no Encumbrances for a material amount of Taxes (other Encumbrances described in clause (a) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”) upon any of the assets of the Company.
(e) No deficiencies for a material amount of Taxes with respect to the Company have been claimed, proposed or assessed by any Governmental Authority in writing that have not been timely paid in full. There are no pending (or, based on written notice, threatened) material audits, assessments, examinations or other actions for or relating to any liability in respect of Taxes of the Company. The Company has not granted a waiver of any statute of limitations in respect of a material amount of Taxes or an extension of time with respect to a material Tax assessment or deficiency that, in each case, is currently in effect.
(f) The Company has not been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code in the last five (5) years.
(g) The Company is not a party to any Tax allocation, Tax sharing or similar agreement (including indemnity arrangements), other than customary commercial Contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business the primary purpose of which does not relate to Tax (an “Ordinary Course Agreement”).
(h) The Company has not been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated U.S. federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which is the Company). The Company has no Liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, or by Contract (other than an Ordinary Course Agreement).
(i) The Company has not distributed stock of another Person, or has had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code or Section 361 of the Code.
(j) The Company has not entered into any transaction identified as a “listed transaction” for purposes of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.6011-4(b)(2) or 301.6111-2(b)(2).
(k) The Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances and has not taken or agreed to take any action, in each case, that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Intended Tax Treatment.
3.17 Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans.
(a) The Company has made available to Parent a list (on an anonymized basis) setting forth, for each Company Associate who is an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether full- or part-time, such employee’s annual salary (or if hourly, hourly rate), most recent annual bonus received, and current annual bonus opportunity. No Company Key Employee has indicated to the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, that he or she intends to resign or retire as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise. The Company has made available to Parent a list (on an anonymized basis) setting forth, for each Company Associate who is an individual independent contractor engaged by the Company, such contractor’s rate of compensation.
44
(b) The employment of the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ employees is terminable by the Company and/or its applicable Subsidiary at will. The Company has made available to Parent accurate and complete copies of all employee manuals and handbooks, to the extent currently effective and material.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, bound by the terms of, and does not have a duty to bargain under, any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor organization representing its employees, and there are no labor organizations representing or, to the Knowledge of the Company, purporting to represent or seeking to represent any employees of the Company.
(d) Section 3.17(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists all Company Employee Plans (other than employment arrangements which are terminable “at will” without any contractual obligation on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any severance, termination, change in control or similar payment and that are substantively identical to the employment arrangements made available to Parent).
(e) Each Company Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination or opinion letter with respect to such qualified status from the IRS. To the Knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any such Company Employee Plan or the exempt status of any related trust.
(f) Each Company Employee Plan has been established, maintained and operated in compliance, in all material respects, with its terms all applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Code, ERISA and the Affordable Care Act. No Legal Proceeding (other than those relating to routine claims for benefits) is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to any Company Employee Plan. All payments and/or contributions required to have been made with respect to all Company Employee Plans either have been made or have been accrued in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Employee Plan and applicable Law.
(g) Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates maintains, contributes to or is required to contribute to, or has, in the past six (6) years, maintained, contributed to or been required to contribute to (i) any “employee benefit plan” that is or was subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) a Multiemployer Plan, (iii) any funded welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code, (iv) any Multiple Employer Plan, or (v) any Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement. Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has ever incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA.
(h) No Company Employee Plan provides for, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has promised to provide any, medical or other welfare benefits to any service provider beyond termination of service or retirement, other than (i) pursuant to COBRA or an analogous state law requirement or (ii) continuation coverage through the end of the month in which such termination or retirement occurs. The Company does not sponsor or maintain any self-funded medical or long-term disability benefit plan.
45
(i) No Company Employee Plan is subject to any law of a foreign jurisdiction outside of the United States.
(j) Each Company Employee Plan that constitutes in any part a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as such term is defined under Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code and the guidance thereunder) (each, a “Company 409A Plan”) has been operated and maintained in all material respects in operational and documentary compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the applicable guidance thereunder. No payment to be made under any Company 409A Plan is or, when made in accordance with the terms of the Company 409A Plan, will be subject to the penalties of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code.
(k) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is, and has been, in material compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations respecting employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, worker classification, tax withholding, prohibited discrimination, retaliation and harassment, equal employment, fair employment practices, meal and rest periods, immigration status, employee and workplace safety and health, wages (including overtime wages), compensation, hours of work, “plant closings” and “mass layoffs” within the meaning of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act of 1988 or similar state or local law (the “WARN Act”), labor practices or disputes, restrictive covenants, employment agreements, workers’ compensation and long-term disability policies, leaves of absence and worker privacy (collectively, “Employment-Related Laws”), and in each case, with respect to employees of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries: (i) has withheld and reported all material amounts required by law or by agreement to be withheld and reported with respect to wages, salaries and other payments to employees, (ii) is not liable for any material amounts of arrears of wages, severance pay or any Taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing and (iii) is not liable for any material payment to any trust or other fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority, with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for employees (other than routine payments to be made in the Ordinary Course of Business). There are no material Legal Proceedings, claims, labor disputes or organizing activities, or grievances pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened or reasonably anticipated against or involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any trustee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to any employee, contingent worker, director, employment agreement or Employee Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) or Employment-Related Laws. To the Knowledge of the Company, there are no material pending or threatened or reasonably anticipated claims or actions against the Company, any trustee or any trustee of any Subsidiary of the Company under any workers’ compensation policy or long-term disability policy. The Company is not a party to a conciliation agreement, consent decree or other agreement or Order with any federal, state or local agency or Governmental Authority with respect to employment practices.
(l) The Company has no material liability with respect to any misclassification, since its incorporation, of: (i) any Person as an independent contractor rather than as an employee, (ii) any employee leased from another employer or (iii) any employee currently or formerly classified as exempt from overtime wages. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action which would constitute a “plant closing” or “mass layoff” within the meaning of the WARN Act, issued any notification of a plant closing or mass layoff required by the WARN Act (nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries been under any requirement or obligation to issue any such notification), or incurred any liability or obligation under the WARN Act that remains unsatisfied.
46
(m) To the Company’s Knowledge, there has never been, nor has there been any threat of, any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, job action, union, organizing activity, question concerning representation or any similar activity or dispute, by or with respect to any Company Associates. No event has occurred within the past six months, and no condition or circumstance exists, that, to the Company’s Knowledge, might directly or indirectly be likely to give rise to or provide a basis for the commencement of any such strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, job action, union organizing activity, question concerning representation or any similar activity or dispute.
(n) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, nor has the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries been, engaged in any material unfair labor practice within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act. There is no material Legal Proceeding, claim, labor dispute or grievance pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened or reasonably anticipated relating to any employment contract, privacy right, labor dispute, wages and hours, leave of absence, plant closing notification, workers’ compensation policy, long-term disability policy, harassment, retaliation, immigration, employment statute or regulation, safety or discrimination matter involving any current or former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries including charges of unfair labor practices or discrimination complaints.
(o) There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound to compensate any of its employees or other service providers for any income or excise taxes paid pursuant to the Code, including, but not limited to, Section 4999 or Section 409A of the Code.
(p) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Contract that as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the stockholder approval of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, could (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) result in, or cause the accelerated vesting, payment, funding or delivery of, or increase the amount or value of, any payment or benefit to any employee, officer, director or other service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
3.18 Environmental Matters. The Company has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession by the Company of all permits and other Governmental Authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws and compliance with the terms and conditions thereof, except for any failure to be in compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not received any written notice or other communication (in writing or otherwise), whether from a Governmental Authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Company is not in compliance with any Environmental Law and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no circumstances that may prevent or interfere with the Company’s compliance with any Environmental Law in the future, except where such failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company: (i) no current or prior owner of any property leased or controlled by the Company has received any written notice or other communication relating to property owned or leased at any time by the Company, whether from a Governmental Authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that such current or prior owner or the Company is not in compliance with or violated any Environmental Law relating to such property and (ii) the Company has no material liability under any Environmental Law. The Company has made available all environmental site assessments, environmental audits and other material environmental documents in the Company’s possession or control relating to the Company, including the Company’s business and current or former facilities.
47
3.19 Insurance. The Company has delivered to Parent accurate and complete copies of all material insurance policies and all material self-insurance programs and arrangements relating to the business, assets, liabilities and operations of the Company. Each of such insurance policies is in full force and effect and the Company is in compliance in all material respects with the terms thereof. Other than customary end of policy notifications from insurance carriers, the Company has not received any notice or other communication regarding any actual or possible: (i) cancellation or invalidation of any insurance policy or (ii) refusal or denial of any coverage, reservation of rights or rejection of any material claim under any insurance policy. The Company has provided timely written notice to the appropriate insurance carrier(s) of each Legal Proceeding pending against the Company, and no such carrier has issued a denial of coverage or a reservation of rights with respect to any such Legal Proceeding, or informed the Company of its intent to do so.
3.20 No Financial Advisors. Except as set forth on Section 3.20 of the Company Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage fee, finder’s fee, opinion fee, success fee, transaction fee or other fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company.
3.21 Transactions with Affiliates. Section 3.21 of the Company Disclosure Letter describes any material transactions or relationships between, on one hand, the Company and, on the other hand, any (a) executive officer or director of the Company or any of such executive officer’s or director’s immediate family members, (b) owner of more than 5% of the voting power of the outstanding Company Capital Stock or (c) to the Knowledge of the Company, any “related person” (within the meaning of Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act) of any such officer, director or owner (other than the Company) in the case of each of (a), (b) or (c) that is of the type that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
48
3.22 Privacy and Data Security. The Company is and has at all times been in compliance with all applicable Privacy Laws and the applicable terms of any Company Contracts governing privacy, data protection, data security, trans-border data flow, data loss, data theft, or breach notification, data localization, sending solicited or unsolicited electronic mail or text messages, cookies or other tracking technology, or the collection, handling, use, maintenance, storage, disclosure, transfer, or other processing of, Personal Information (including any such information of individuals, clinical trial participants, patients, patient family members, caregivers or advocates, physicians and other health care professionals, clinical trial investigators, researchers, pharmacists that interact with the Company in connection with the operation of the Company’s business), except, in each case, for such noncompliance as has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company (i) has implemented and maintains reasonable written policies and procedures that materially comply with applicable Privacy Laws and are designed to protect the privacy and security of Personal Information (the “Privacy Policies”) and (ii) has complied with such Privacy Policies, except for such noncompliance as has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Legal Proceeding has been asserted or threatened against the Company by any Person alleging a violation of Privacy Laws, Privacy Policies, or the applicable terms of any Company Contracts governing privacy, data protection, data security, trans-border data flow, data loss, data theft, or breach notification, data localization, sending solicited or unsolicited electronic mail or text messages, cookies or other tracking technology, or the collection, handling, use, maintenance, storage, disclosure, transfer, or other processing of, Personal Information. To the Knowledge of the Company, there have been no data security incidents or data breaches or other adverse events or incidents that have resulted in any unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of, Personal Information or other data in the possession or control of the Company or any service provider acting on behalf of the Company, in each case, where such incident, breach or event resulted in a notification obligation to any Person under applicable Law or pursuant to the terms of any Company Contract.
3.23 Ownership of Parent Capital Stock. None of the Company, their directors or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of its officers, Affiliates, or employees of the Company or any of its controlled Affiliates (a) has owned any shares of Parent’s capital stock; or (b) has been an “interested stockholder” (as defined in Section 203 of the DGCL) of Parent, in each case during the three years prior to the date hereof.
3.24 No Other Representations or Warranties. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, neither Parent nor any other person on behalf of Parent makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Parent or with respect to any other information provided to the Company, any of its stockholders or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and (subject to the express representations and warranties of Parent set forth in Section 4 (in each case as qualified and limited by the Parent Disclosure Letter)) none of the Company, or any of its Representatives or stockholders, has relied on any such information (including the accuracy or completeness thereof).
49
Section 4. Representations and Warranties of Parent, First Merger and Second Merger Sub.
Except (i) as set forth in the written disclosure document delivered by Parent to the Company (the “Parent Disclosure Letter”) concurrently with the execution of this Agreement or (ii) as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof and publicly available on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system (but (A) without giving effect to any amendment thereof filed with, or furnished to the SEC on or after the date hereof and (B) excluding any disclosures contained under the heading “Risk Factors” and any disclosure of risks included in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or in any other section to the extent they are forward-looking statements or cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), it being understood that any matter disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents shall be deemed to be disclosed in a section of the Parent Disclosure Letter only to the extent that is readily apparent from a reading of such Parent SEC Documents that is applicable to such section or subsection of the Parent Disclosure Letter, Parent, First Merger Sub and Second Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
4.1 Due Organization; Subsidiaries.
(a) Each of Parent, First Merger Sub and Second Merger Sub is a corporation duly incorporated or formed, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as applicable, and has all necessary corporate power and authority: (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted, (ii) to own or lease and use its property and assets in the manner in which its property and assets are currently owned or leased and used and (iii) to perform its obligations under all Contracts by which it is bound. Since the date of its incorporation, Merger Subs have not engaged in any activities other than in connection with or as contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries is licensed and qualified to do business, and is in good standing (to the extent applicable in such jurisdiction), under the Laws of all jurisdictions where the nature of its business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted requires such licensing or qualification other than in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified individually or in the aggregate would not be reasonably expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Parent has no Subsidiaries other than Merger Subs and except as set forth on Section 4.1(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, Parent does not own any capital stock of, or any equity ownership or profit sharing interest of any nature in, or control directly or indirectly, any other Entity other than Merger Subs. Except as set forth on Section 4.1(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, Parent is not and has not otherwise been, directly or indirectly, a party to, member of or participant in any partnership, joint venture or similar business entity. Parent has not agreed and is not obligated to make, nor is Parent bound by any Contract under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other Entity. Parent has not, at any time, been a general partner of, and has not otherwise been liable for any of the debts or other obligations of, any general partnership, limited partnership or other Entity.
4.2 Organizational Documents. Parent has delivered to the Company accurate and complete copies of Parent’s Organizational Documents. Parent is not in breach or violation of its Organizational Documents in any material respect.
50
4.3 Authority; Binding Nature of Agreement. Parent and each Merger Sub has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. The Parent Board has: (a) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders, (b) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, including the issuance of shares of Parent Capital Stock to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (c) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholders of Parent vote to approve the Contemplated Transactions, and, if deemed necessary by Parent and the Company, the amendment to the certificate of incorporation of the Parent to (i) change the name of Parent to “Crescent Biopharma, Inc.”, (ii) effect the Nasdaq Reverse Split and (iii) make such other changes as are mutually agreeable to Parent and the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The First Merger Sub Board (by unanimous written consent) has: (x) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of First Merger Sub and its sole stockholder, (y) deemed advisable and approved this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and (z) determined to recommend, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, that the stockholder of First Merger Sub vote to adopt this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions. The sole member of Second Merger Sub (by unanimous written consent) has: (A) determined that the Contemplated Transactions are fair to, advisable, and in the best interests of Second Merger Sub and the sole member; and (B) deemed advisable and approved this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Subs and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company and the accuracy of the representation in Section 3.23, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent and Merger Subs, enforceable against each of Parent and Merger Subs in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
4.4 Vote Required. Assuming the accuracy of the representation in Section 3.23, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Parent Common Stock properly cast at the Parent Stockholder Meeting is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of Parent’s capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement and thereby approve the Contemplated Transactions and clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the definition of “Parent Charter Amendment” (collectively, the “Required Parent Stockholder Vote”).
4.5 Non-Contravention; Consents.
(a) Subject to obtaining the Required Parent Stockholder Vote, compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act (if applicable) and the filing of the Certificate of Merger and Certificate of Designation required by the DGCL or DLLCA, and assuming the accuracy of the representation in Section 3.23, neither (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Parent or Merger Subs, nor (y) the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, will directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time):
(i) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of Parent or its Subsidiaries;
(ii) contravene, conflict with or result in a material violation of, or give any Governmental Authority or other Person the right to challenge the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Law or any Order to which Parent or its Subsidiaries or any of the assets owned or used by Parent or its Subsidiaries, is subject;
(iii) contravene, conflict with or result in a material violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Authority the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by Parent or its Subsidiaries or that otherwise relates to the business of Parent, or any of the assets owned, leased or used by Parent;
51
(iv) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or result in a default under, any provision of any Parent Material Contract, or give any Person the right to: (A) declare a default or exercise any remedy under any Parent Material Contract, (B) any material payment, rebate, chargeback, penalty or change in delivery schedule under any such Parent Material Contract, (C) accelerate the maturity or performance of any Parent Material Contract or (D) cancel, terminate or modify any term of any Parent Material Contract, except in the case of any nonmaterial breach, default, penalty or modification; or
(v) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to any asset owned or used by Parent or its Subsidiaries (except for Permitted Encumbrances).
(b) Except for (i) any Consent set forth on Section 4.5(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter under any Parent Contract, (ii) the Required Parent Stockholder Vote, (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger and Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL or DLLCA, (iv) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act (if applicable) and (v) such consents, waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable federal and state securities laws, and assuming the accuracy of the representation in Section 3.23, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries was, is or will be required to make any filing with or give any notice to, or to obtain any Consent from, any Person in connection with (x) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or (y) the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions.
(c) Assuming the accuracy of the representation in Section 3.23, the Parent Board and the First Merger Sub Board have taken and will take all actions necessary to ensure that the restrictions applicable to business combinations contained in Section 203 of the DGCL are, and will be, inapplicable to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and to the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. No other state takeover statute or similar Law applies or purports to apply to the Merger, this Agreement or any of the other Contemplated Transactions.
4.6 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of (i) 150,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock of which 64,483,958 shares have been issued and are outstanding as of September 30, 2024 (the “Capitalization Date”) and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of Parent Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which none have been designated. No shares of Parent Preferred Stock have been issued and are outstanding as of the Capitalization Date. Parent does not hold any shares of its capital stock in its treasury.
52
(b) All of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable and are free of any Encumbrances other than Encumbrances set forth in the Organizational Documents or under applicable securities Laws. None of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock is entitled or subject to any preemptive right, right of participation, right of maintenance or any similar right and none of the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock is subject to any right of first refusal in favor of Parent. Except as contemplated herein, there is no Parent Contract relating to the voting or registration of, or restricting any Person from purchasing, selling, pledging or otherwise disposing of (or granting any option or similar right with respect to), any shares of Parent Common Stock. Parent is not under any obligation, nor is Parent bound by any Contract pursuant to which it may become obligated, to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock or other securities. Section 4.6(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter accurately and completely describes all repurchase rights held by Parent with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock (including shares issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options) and specifies which of those repurchase rights are currently exercisable.
(c) Except for the Parent 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, the Parent 2013 Equity Incentive Plan and the Parent 2020 Inducement Plan (each as may be amended from time to time, collectively, the “Parent Stock Plans”) and except as set forth on Section 4.6(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, Parent does not have any stock option plan or any other plan, program, agreement or arrangement providing for any equity-based compensation for any Person. As of the Capitalization Date, Parent has reserved 14,257,627 shares of Parent Common Stock for issuance under the Parent Stock Plans, of which 13,163,469 shares have been issued and are currently outstanding, 117,157 shares have been reserved for issuance upon exercise or settlement of Parent Options and Parent Restricted Stock Units, as applicable, granted under the Parent Stock Plans, and 977,001 shares remain available for future issuance pursuant to the Parent Stock Plans. As of the Capitalization Date, Parent has reserved 3,554,364 shares of Parent Common Stock for future issuance pursuant to the Parent ESPP (of which 0 shares have been issued and are currently outstanding). Section 4.6(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter sets forth the following information with respect to each Parent Option outstanding as of the Capitalization Date, as applicable: (i) the name of the holder, (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such Parent Option and Parent Restricted Stock Units as of the Capitalization Date, (iii) the exercise price of such Parent Option, (iv) the date on which such Parent Option or Parent Restricted Stock Unit was granted, (v) the applicable vesting schedule, including any acceleration provisions, (vi) the date on which such Parent Option expires, (vii) whether such Parent Option is intended to be an “incentive stock option” (as defined in the Code) or a nonqualified stock option and (viii) in the case of a Parent Option, the plan pursuant to which such Parent Option was granted. Parent has made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of equity incentive plans pursuant to which Parent has equity-based awards, the forms of all award agreements evidencing such equity-based awards and evidence of board and stockholder approval of the Parent Stock Plans and any amendments thereto.
(d) Except for the outstanding Parent Options and Parent Restricted Stock Units, or as set forth on Section 4.6(d) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, there is no: (i) outstanding subscription, option, call, warrant or right (whether or not currently exercisable) to acquire any shares of the capital stock or other securities of Parent, (ii) outstanding security, instrument or obligation that is or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock or other securities of Parent, (iii) stockholder rights plan (or similar plan commonly referred to as a “poison pill”) or Contract under which Parent is or may become obligated to sell or otherwise issue any shares of its capital stock or any other securities or (iv) condition or circumstance that may give rise to or provide a basis for the assertion of a claim by any Person to the effect that such Person is entitled to acquire or receive any shares of capital stock or other securities of Parent. There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or other similar rights with respect to Parent.
53
(e) All outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock, Parent Options and Parent Restricted Stock Units, and other securities of Parent have been issued and granted in compliance in all material respects with (i) all applicable securities laws and other applicable Law and (ii) all requirements set forth in applicable Contracts.
(f) With respect to Parent Options and Parent Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Parent Stock Plans, (i) each grant of a Parent Option or Parent Restricted Stock Unit was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Parent Option and Parent Restricted Stock Unit was by its terms to be effective (the “Parent Grant Date”) by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the Parent Board (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) or duly authorized officer and any required stockholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, (ii) each Parent Option and Parent Restricted Stock Unit grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Parent Stock Plan pursuant to which it was granted and all other applicable Law and regulatory rules or requirements, and (iii) the per share exercise price of each Parent Option was not less than the fair market value of a share of Parent Common Stock on the applicable Parent Grant Date.
4.7 SEC Filings; Financial Statements.
(a) Parent has filed or furnished, as applicable, on a timely basis all forms, statements, certifications, reports and documents required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (the “Parent SEC Documents”). As of the time it was filed with the SEC (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such filing), each of the Parent SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (as the case may be) and as of the time they were filed, none of the Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The certifications and statements required by (i) Rule 13a-14 under the Exchange Act and (ii) 18 U.S.C. §1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) relating to the Parent SEC Documents (collectively, the “Certifications”) are accurate and complete and comply as to form and content with all applicable Laws. As used in this Section 4.7, the term “file” and variations thereof shall be broadly construed to include any manner in which a document or information is furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC.
(b) The financial statements (including any related notes) contained or incorporated by reference in the Parent SEC Documents: (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the published rules and regulations of the SEC applicable thereto, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements or, in the case of unaudited financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC, and except that the unaudited financial statements may not contain footnotes and are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments that are not reasonably expected to be material in amount) applied on a consistent basis unless otherwise noted therein throughout the periods indicated and (iii) fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of Parent as of the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows of Parent for the periods covered thereby. Other than as expressly disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there has been no material change in Parent’s accounting methods or principles that would be required to be disclosed in Parent’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP. The books of account and other financial records of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are true and complete in all material respects.
54
(c) Parent’s auditor has at all times since the date of enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act been: (i) a registered public accounting firm (as defined in Section 2(a)(12) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), (ii) to the Knowledge of Parent, “independent” with respect to Parent within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act and (iii) to the Knowledge of Parent, in compliance with subsections (g) through (l) of Section 10A of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board thereunder.
(d) Except as set forth on Section 4.7(d) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, Parent has not received any comment letter from the SEC or the staff thereof or any correspondence from Nasdaq or the staff thereof relating to the delisting or maintenance of listing of the Parent Common Stock on Nasdaq. Parent has not disclosed any unresolved comments in the Parent SEC Documents.
(e) There have been no formal internal investigations regarding financial reporting or accounting policies and practices discussed with, reviewed by or initiated at the direction of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or general counsel of Parent, the Parent Board or any committee thereof, other than ordinary course audits or reviews of accounting policies and practices or internal controls required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(f) Parent is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Exchange Act and the applicable listing and governance rules and regulations of Nasdaq.
(g) Parent maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that is sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, including policies and procedures sufficient to provide reasonable assurance (i) that Parent maintains records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect Parent’s transactions and dispositions of assets, (ii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (iii) that receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with the authorization policy and (iv) regarding prevention or timely detection of the unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Parent’s assets that could have a material effect on Parent’s financial statements. Parent has evaluated the effectiveness of Parent’s internal control over financial reporting and, to the extent required by applicable Law, presented in any applicable Parent SEC Document that is a report on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q (or any amendment thereto) its conclusions about the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by such report or amendment based on such evaluation. Parent has disclosed to Parent’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Parent Board (and made available to the Company a summary of the significant aspects of such disclosure) (A) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in Parent’s or its Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting. Except as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, Parent’s internal control over financial reporting is effective at the reasonable assurance level and Parent has not identified any material weaknesses in the design or operation of Parent’s internal control over financial reporting.
55
(h) Parent’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that all information (both financial and nonfinancial) required to be disclosed by Parent in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such information is accumulated and communicated to Parent’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the Certifications and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Parent has carried out evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.
4.8 Absence of Changes. Except as set forth on Section 4.8 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, between December 31, 2023 and the date of this Agreement, Parent has conducted its business only in the Ordinary Course of Business (except for the execution and performance of this Agreement and the discussions, negotiations and transactions related thereto) and there has not been any (a) Parent Material Adverse Effect or (b) action, event or occurrence that would have required consent of the Company pursuant to Section Section 5(b) of this Agreement had such action, event or occurrence taken place after the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
4.9 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Since December 31, 2023, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Liability except for: (a) Liabilities disclosed, reflected or reserved against in the Parent Balance Sheet, (b) normal and recurring current Liabilities that have been incurred by Parent or its Subsidiaries since the date of the Parent Balance Sheet in the Ordinary Course of Business (none of which relates to any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of Law), (c) Liabilities for performance of obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under Parent Contracts, (d) Liabilities incurred in connection with the Contemplated Transactions or the Subscription Agreement, and (e) Liabilities described in Section 4.9 of the Parent Disclosure Letter.
4.10 Title to Assets. Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries owns, and has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all tangible properties or tangible assets and equipment used or held for use in its business or operations or purported to be owned by it, including: (a) all tangible assets reflected on the Parent Balance Sheet and (b) all other tangible assets reflected in the books and records of Parent as being owned by Parent. All of such assets are owned or, in the case of leased assets, leased by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries free and clear of any Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
56
4.11 Real Property; Leasehold. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries owns or has ever owned any real property, nor is Parent party to any agreement to purchase or sell any real property. Parent has made available to the Company (a) an accurate and complete list of all real properties with respect to which Parent directly or indirectly holds a valid leasehold interest as well as any other real estate that is in the possession of or leased by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) copies of all leases under which any such real property is possessed (the “Parent Real Estate Leases”), each of which is in full force and effect, with no existing material default thereunder by Parent or its Subsidiaries or, to Parent’s Knowledge, the other party thereto.
4.12 Intellectual Property.
(a) Section 4.12(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter is an accurate, true and complete listing of all Parent Registered IP.
(b) Section 4.12(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter accurately identifies (i) all Parent Contracts pursuant to which any Parent IP Rights are licensed to Parent (other than (A) any non-customized software that (1) is so licensed solely in executable or object code form pursuant to a nonexclusive, internal use software license and other Intellectual Property associated with such software and (2) is not incorporated into, or material to the development, manufacturing, or distribution of, any of Parent products or services, (B) any Intellectual Property licensed on a nonexclusive basis ancillary to the purchase or use of services, equipment, reagents or other materials, (C) any confidential information provided under confidentiality agreements and (D) agreements between Parent and its employees in Parent’s standard form thereof) and (ii) whether the license or licenses granted to Parent are exclusive or nonexclusive.
(c) Section 4.12(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter accurately identifies each Parent Contract pursuant to which any Person has been granted any license or covenant not to sue under, or otherwise has received or acquired any right (whether or not currently exercisable) or interest in, any Parent IP Rights (other than (i) any confidential information provided under confidentiality agreements and (ii) any Parent IP Rights nonexclusively licensed to academic collaborators, suppliers or service providers for the sole purpose of enabling such academic collaborator, supplier or service providers to provide services for Parent’s benefit).
(d) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is bound by, and no Parent IP Rights are subject to, any Contract containing any covenant or other provision that in any way limits or restricts the ability of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to use, exploit, assert, or enforce any Parent IP Rights anywhere in the world.
57
(e) Parent or one of its Subsidiaries exclusively owns all right, title, and interest to and in the Parent IP Rights (other than (i) Parent IP Rights licensed to Parent, or co-owned rights each as identified in Section 4.12(e) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, (ii) any non-customized software that (A) is licensed to Parent solely in executable or object code form pursuant to a nonexclusive, internal use software license and other Intellectual Property associated with such software and (B) is not incorporated into, or material to the development, manufacturing or distribution of, any of Parent or its Subsidiaries’ products or services and (iii) any Intellectual Property licensed on a nonexclusive basis ancillary to the purchase or use of equipment, reagents or other materials), in each case, free and clear of any Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i) All documents and instruments necessary to register or apply for or renew registration of Parent Registered IP have been validly executed, delivered, and filed in a timely manner with the appropriate Governmental Authority.
(ii) Each Person who is or was an employee or contractor of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and who is or was involved in the creation or development of any Intellectual Property for Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has signed a valid, enforceable agreement containing a present assignment of such Intellectual Property to Parent or such Subsidiary and confidentiality provisions protecting trade secrets and confidential information of Parent and its Subsidiaries.
(iii) To the Knowledge of Parent, no current or former stockholder, officer, director or employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has any claim, right (whether currently exercisable, or exercisable in the future), or interest to or in any Parent IP Rights purported to be owned by Parent. To the Knowledge of Parent, no employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is (a) bound by or otherwise subject to any Contract restricting him or her from performing his or her duties for Parent or such Subsidiary or (b) in breach of any Contract with any former employer or other Person concerning Parent IP Rights purported to be owned by Parent or such Subsidiary or confidentiality provisions protecting trade secrets and confidential information comprising Parent IP Rights purported to be owned by Parent or such Subsidiary.
(iv) No funding, facilities or personnel of any Governmental Authority were used, directly or indirectly, to develop or create, in whole or in part, any Parent IP Rights in which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest.
(v) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has taken reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of and otherwise protect and enforce its rights in all proprietary information that Parent or such Subsidiary holds, or purports to hold, as confidential or a trade secret.
(vi) Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has not assigned or otherwise transferred ownership of, or agreed to assign or otherwise transfer ownership of, any Parent IP Rights to any other Person.
(f) Parent has delivered, or made available to the Company, a complete and accurate copy of all material Parent IP Rights Agreements.
(g) The manufacture, marketing, offering for sale, sale, importation, use or intended use or other disposal of any product as currently sold or under development by Parent does not violate any license or agreement between Parent or its Subsidiaries and any third party in any material respect, and, to the Knowledge of Parent, does not infringe or misappropriate any valid and issued Patent right or other Intellectual Property of any other Person, which infringement or misappropriation would reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of Parent, no third party is infringing upon any Patents owned by Parent within the Parent IP Rights, or violating any Parent IP Rights Agreement.
58
(h) As of the date of this Agreement, Parent is not a party to any Legal Proceeding (including, but not limited to, opposition, interference or other proceeding in any patent or other government office) contesting the validity, ownership or right to use, sell, offer for sale, license or dispose of any Parent IP Rights. Parent has not received any written notice asserting that any Parent Registered IP or the proposed use, sale, offer for sale, license or disposition of any products, methods or processes claimed or covered thereunder infringes or misappropriates or violates the rights of any other Person or that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries have otherwise infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Intellectual Property of any Person.
(i) To the Knowledge of Parent, no trademark (whether registered or unregistered) or trade name owned, used or applied for by Parent conflicts or interferes with any trademark (whether registered or unregistered) or trade name owned, used or applied for by any other Person except as would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. None of the goodwill associated with or inherent in any trademark (whether registered or unregistered) in which Parent has or purports to have an ownership interest has been impaired as determined by Parent in accordance with GAAP.
(j) Except as may be set forth in the Contracts listed on Section 4.12(b), 4.12(c) or 4.12(k) of the Parent Disclosure Letter or as contained in “off-the-shelf” license agreements entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business by Parent, (i) Parent is not bound by any Contract to indemnify, defend, hold harmless or reimburse any other Person with respect to any Intellectual Property infringement, misappropriation or similar claim which is material to Parent taken as a whole and (ii) Parent has never assumed, or agreed to discharge or otherwise take responsibility for, any existing or potential liability of another Person for infringement, misappropriation or violation of any Intellectual Property right, which assumption, agreement or responsibility remains in force as of the date of this Agreement.
(k) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to any Contract that, as a result of such execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, will cause the grant of any license or other right to any Parent IP Rights, result in breach of, default under or termination of such Contract with respect to any Parent IP Rights, or impair the right of Parent or the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries to use, sell or license or enforce any Parent IP Rights or portion thereof, except for the occurrence of any such grant or impairment that would not individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
4.13 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Section 4.13 of the Parent Disclosure Letter identifies each Parent Contract that is in effect as of the date of this Agreement other than the Subscription Agreement (each, an “Parent Material Contract” and collectively, the “Parent Material Contracts”):
(i) each Parent Contract relating to any material bonus, deferred compensation, severance, incentive compensation, pension, profit-sharing or retirement plans, or any other employee benefit plans or arrangements;
59
(ii) each Parent Contract requiring payments by Parent after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms relating to the employment of, or the performance of employment-related services by, any Parent Associate providing employment related, consulting or independent contractor services, not terminable by Parent on thirty (30) calendar days’ or less notice without liability;
(iii) each Parent Contract relating to any agreement or plan, including any option plan, stock appreciation right plan or stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased or the vesting of benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the Contemplated Transactions (either alone or in conjunction with any other event, such as termination of employment), or the value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the Contemplated Transactions;
(iv) each Parent Contract relating to any agreement of indemnification or guaranty not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(v) each Parent Contract containing (A) any covenant limiting the freedom of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business or compete with any Person, or limiting the development, manufacture or distribution of the Parent’s products or services (B) any most-favored pricing arrangement, (C) any exclusivity provision or (D) any non-solicitation provision;
(vi) each Parent Contract (A) pursuant to which any Person granted Parent an exclusive license under any Intellectual Property, or (B) pursuant to which Parent granted any Person an exclusive license under any Parent IP Rights;
(vii) each Parent Contract containing any royalty, dividend or similar arrangement based on the revenues or profits of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries, or of a product;
(viii) each Parent Contract relating to capital expenditures and requiring payments after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms and not cancelable without penalty;
(ix) each Parent Contract relating to the disposition or acquisition of material assets or any ownership interest in any Entity, in each case, involving payments in excess of $100,000 after the date of this Agreement;
(x) each Parent Contract entered into in settlement of any Legal Proceeding or other dispute pursuant to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding obligations to pay consideration in excess of $100,000;
(xi) each Parent Contract relating to any mortgages, indentures, loans, notes or credit agreements, security agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit in excess of $100,000 or creating any material Encumbrances with respect to any assets of Parent or any loans or debt obligations with officers or directors of Parent;
60
(xii) each Parent Contract requiring payment by or to Parent after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms relating to: (A) any distribution agreement (identifying any that contain exclusivity provisions), (B) any agreement involving provision of services or products with respect to any pre-clinical or clinical development activities of Parent, (C) any dealer, distributor, joint marketing, alliance, joint venture, cooperation, development or other agreement currently in force under which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has continuing obligations to develop or market any product, technology or service, or any agreement pursuant to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has continuing obligations to develop any Intellectual Property that will not be owned, in whole or in part, by Parent or such Subsidiary or (D) any Contract to license any patent, trademark registration, service mark registration, trade name or copyright registration to or from any third party to manufacture or produce any product, service or technology of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any Contract to sell, distribute or commercialize any products or service of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, except for Parent Contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(xiii) each Parent Contract with any Person, including any financial advisor, broker, finder, investment banker or other Person, providing advisory services to Parent in connection with the Contemplated Transactions and requiring payments by Parent after the date in this Agreement in excess of $100,000 pursuant to its express terms;
(xiv) each Parent Contract to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their assets and properties is currently bound (other than Parent Real Estate Leases), which involves annual obligations of payment by, or annual payments to, Parent or such Subsidiary in excess of $100,000;
(xv) any Parent Real Estate Lease;
(xvi) a Contract disclosed in or required to be disclosed in Section 4.12(b) or Section 4.12(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter; or
(xvii) any other Parent Contract (other than Parent Real Estate Leases) that is not terminable at will (with no penalty or payment) by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and (A) which involves payment or receipt by Parent or such Subsidiary after the date of this Agreement under any such agreement, contract or commitment of more than $100,000 in the aggregate, or obligations after the date of this Agreement in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate or (B) that is material to the business or operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
61
(b) Parent has delivered or made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of all Parent Material Contracts, including all amendments thereto. There are no Parent Material Contracts that are not in written form. Parent has not nor, to Parent’s Knowledge as of the date of this Agreement, has any other party to a Parent Material Contract, breached, violated or defaulted under, or received notice that it breached, violated or defaulted under, any of the terms or conditions of any Parent Material Contract in such a manner, and, if such Parent Material Contract provides for a cure period, Parent or such other party fails to have cured such breach, violation or default, so that any other party or Parent, as the case may be, is permitted to modify, cancel or terminate any such Parent Material Contract, or would permit any other party to seek damages which would reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. As to Parent and its Subsidiaries, as of the date of this Agreement, each Parent Material Contract is valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. No Person is renegotiating, or has a right pursuant to the terms of any Parent Material Contract to change, any material amount paid or payable to Parent under any Parent Material Contract or any other material term or provision of any Parent Material Contract.
4.14 Compliance; Permits; Restrictions.
(a) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries is, and since January 1, 2023, has been in material compliance with all applicable Laws. No investigation, claim, suit, proceeding, audit, Order or other action by any Governmental Authority is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. There is no agreement or Order binding upon Parent or any of its Subsidiaries which (i) has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, any acquisition of material property by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, (ii) is reasonably likely to have an adverse effect on Parent’s ability to comply with or perform any covenant or obligation under this Agreement or (iii) is reasonably likely to have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) Except for matters regarding the FDA or other Drug/Device Regulatory Agency, each of Parent and its Subsidiaries holds all required Governmental Authorizations that are material to the operation of the business of Parent and Merger Subs as currently conducted (collectively, the “Parent Permits”). Section 4.14(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter identifies each Parent Permit. Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries is in material compliance with the terms of the Parent Permits. No Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened, which seeks to revoke, substantially limit, suspend or materially modify any Parent Permit. The rights and benefits of each Parent Permit, if any, will be available to Parent and Surviving Entity immediately after the Second Effective Time on terms substantially identical to those enjoyed by Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement and immediately prior to the First Effective Time.
(c) There are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened with respect to an alleged violation by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of the FDCA, PHSA, FDA regulations adopted thereunder, the Controlled Substances Act or any other similar Law promulgated by a Drug/Device Regulatory Agency.
62
(d) Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries holds all required Governmental Authorizations issuable by any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency necessary for the conduct of the business of Parent and Merger Subs as currently conducted, and, as applicable, the development, testing, manufacturing, processing, storage, labeling, sale, marketing, advertising, distribution and importation or exportation, as currently conducted, of any of its product candidates (the “Parent Product Candidates”) (the “Parent Regulatory Permits”) and no such Parent Regulatory Permit has been (i) revoked, withdrawn, suspended, cancelled or terminated or (ii) modified in any adverse manner other than immaterial adverse modifications. Section 4.14(d) of the Parent Disclosure Letter identifies each Parent Regulatory Permit. Parent has timely maintained and is in compliance in all material respects with the Parent Regulatory Permits and neither Parent nor or any of its Subsidiaries has, since January 1, 2023, received any written notice or correspondence or, to the Knowledge of Parent, other communication from any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency regarding (A) any material violation of or failure to comply materially with any term or requirement of any Parent Regulatory Permit or (B) any revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination or material modification of any Parent Regulatory Permit. Parent has made available to the Company all information requested by the Company in Parent’s or its Subsidiaries’ possession or control relating to material Parent Product Candidates and the development, testing, manufacturing, processing, storage, labeling, sale, marketing, advertising, distribution and importation or exportation of the Parent Product Candidates, including, but not limited to, complete copies of the following (to the extent there are any): (x) adverse event reports; pre-clinical, clinical and other study reports and material study data; inspection reports, notices of adverse findings, untitled letters, warning letters, filings and letters and other written correspondence to and from any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency; and meeting minutes with any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency and (y) similar reports, material study data, notices, letters, filings, correspondence and meeting minutes with any other Governmental Authority. All such information are accurate and complete in all material respects.
(e) All clinical, pre-clinical and other studies and tests conducted by or on behalf of, or sponsored by, Parent or its Subsidiaries, in which Parent or its Subsidiaries or their respective product candidates, including the Parent Product Candidates, have participated were, since January 1, 2023, and, if still pending, are being conducted in accordance in all material respects with standard medical and scientific research procedures, and in compliance in all material respects with the applicable regulations of the Drug/Device Regulatory Agencies and other applicable Law, including 21 C.F.R. Parts 11, 50, 54, 56, 58, 312 and 812. Since January 1, 2023, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notices, correspondence, or other communications from any Drug/Device Regulatory Agency requiring or, to the Knowledge of Parent, any action to place a clinical hold order on, or otherwise terminate, delay or suspend any clinical studies conducted by or on behalf of, or sponsored by, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or in which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or its current product candidates, including the Parent Product Candidates, have participated. Further, no clinical investigator, researcher or clinical staff participating in any clinical study conducted by or, to the Knowledge of Parent, on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has been disqualified from participating in studies involving the Parent Product Candidates, and to the Knowledge of Parent, no such administrative action to disqualify such clinical investigators, researchers or clinical staff has been threatened or is pending.
63
(f) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of Parent, any contract manufacturer with respect to any Parent Product Candidate is the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened investigation in respect of its business or products by the FDA pursuant to its “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy set forth in 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991) and any amendments thereto or by any other Drug/Device Regulatory Agency under a comparable policy. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of Parent, any contract manufacturer, nor their respective officers, employees or agents, with respect to any Parent Product Candidate has committed any acts, made any statement or failed to make any statement, in each case in respect of its business or products that would violate FDA’s “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities” Final Policy, and any amendments thereto. None of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries, and to the Knowledge of Parent, any contract manufacturer with respect to any Parent Product Candidate, or any of their respective officers, employees or agents is currently or has been debarred, convicted of any crime or is engaging or has engaged in any conduct that could result in a material debarment or exclusion under (i) 21 U.S.C. Section 335a or (ii) any similar applicable Law. To the Knowledge of Parent, no material debarment or exclusionary claims, actions, proceedings or investigations in respect of their business or products are pending or threatened against Parent, any of its Subsidiaries, and to the Knowledge of the Parent, any contract manufacturer with respect to any Parent Product Candidate, or any of its officers, employees or agents.
(g) All manufacturing operations conducted by, or to the Knowledge of Parent, for the benefit of, Parent or its Subsidiaries in connection with any Parent Product Candidate, since January 1, 2023, have been and are being conducted in compliance in all material respects with applicable Laws, including the FDA’s standards for current good manufacturing practices, including applicable requirements contained in 21 C.F.R. Parts 210 and 211, and the respective counterparts thereof promulgated by Governmental Authorities in countries outside the United States.
(h) None of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries, and to the Knowledge of Parent, any manufacturing site of a contract manufacturer or laboratory, with respect to any Parent Product Candidate, (i) is subject to a Drug/Device Regulatory Agency shutdown or import or export prohibition or (ii) has received any Form FDA 483, notice of violation, warning letter, untitled letter or similar correspondence or notice from the FDA or other Drug/Device Regulatory Agency alleging or asserting noncompliance with any applicable Law, in each case, that have not been complied with or closed to the satisfaction of the relevant Drug/Device Regulatory Agency, and, to the Knowledge of Parent, neither the FDA nor any other Drug/Device Regulatory Agency is considering such action.
4.15 Legal Proceedings; Orders.
(a) There is no pending Legal Proceeding and, to the Knowledge of Parent, no Person has threatened in writing to commence any Legal Proceeding: (i) that involves Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Associate (in his or her capacity as such) or any of the material assets owned or used by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) There is no Order to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the material assets owned or used by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is subject. To the Knowledge of Parent, no officer or other Parent Key Employee or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Order that prohibits such officer or employee from engaging in or continuing in any conduct, activity or practice relating to the business of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any material assets owned or used by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
64
4.16 Tax Matters.
(a) Each of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed (or caused to be timely filed) all income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns required to be filed by it under applicable Law (taking into account any applicable extensions). All such Tax Returns were true, correct and complete in all material respects. Subject to exceptions as would not be material, no claim has been made by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where Parent or any of its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.
(b) All material amounts of Taxes due and owing by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid (taking into account any applicable extensions).
(c) Each of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid to the appropriate Governmental Authority all material Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party.
(d) There are no Encumbrances for a material amount of Taxes (other Encumbrances described in clause (a) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”) upon any of the assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
(e) No deficiencies for a material amount of Taxes with respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries have been claimed, proposed or assessed by any Governmental Authority in writing that have not been timely paid in full. There are no pending (or, based on written notice, threatened) material audits, assessments, examinations or other actions for or relating to any liability in respect of Taxes of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted a waiver of any statute of limitations in respect of a material amount of Taxes or an extension of time with respect to a material Tax assessment or deficiency that, in each case, is currently in effect.
(f) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax allocation, Tax sharing or similar agreement (including indemnity arrangements), other than Ordinary Course Agreements.
(g) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated U.S. federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which is Parent). Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material Liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than Parent or its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, or by Contract (other than an Ordinary Course Agreement).
(h) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has distributed stock of another Person, or has had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code or Section 361 of the Code.
65
(i) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any transaction identified as a “listed transaction” for purposes of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.6011-4(b)(2) or 301.6111-2(b)(2).
(j) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is aware of any facts or circumstances or has taken or agreed to take any action, in each case, that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Intended Tax Treatment.
4.17 Employee and Labor Matters; Benefit Plans.
(a) The Parent has made available to Company a list setting forth, for each Parent Associate who is an employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, such employee’s name, employer, title, hire date, location, whether full- or part-time, whether active or on leave (and, if on leave, the expected return), whether exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable state law, annual salary (or if hourly, hourly rate), most recent annual bonus received and current annual bonus opportunity. The Parent has made available to Company a list setting forth, for each Parent Associate who is an individual independent contractor engaged by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, such contractor’s name, duties and rate of compensation.
(b) The employment of Parent’s employees is terminable by Parent at will. Parent has made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of all employee manuals and handbooks, to the extent currently effective and material.
(c) Parent is not a party to, bound by the terms of, and does not have a duty to bargain under, any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor organization representing any of its employees, and there are no labor organizations representing or, to the Knowledge of Parent, purporting to represent or seeking to represent any employees of Parent.
(d) Section 4.17(d) of the Parent Disclosure Letter lists all Parent Employee Plans (other than employment arrangements which are terminable “at will” without any contractual obligation on the part of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to make any severance, termination, change in control or similar payment and that are substantively identical to the employment arrangements made available to the Company).
(e) Each Parent Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination or opinion letter with respect to such qualified status from the IRS. To the Knowledge of Parent, nothing has occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any such Parent Employee Plan or the exempt status of any related trust.
(f) Each Parent Employee Plan has been established, maintained and operated in compliance, in all material respects, with its terms all applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Code, ERISA and the Affordable Care Act. No Legal Proceeding (other than those relating to routine claims for benefits) is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened with respect to any Parent Employee Plan. All payments and/or contributions required to have been made with respect to all Parent Employee Plans either have been made or have been accrued in accordance with the terms of the applicable Parent Employee Plan and applicable Law.
66
(g) Neither Parent nor any of its ERISA Affiliates maintains, contributes to or is required to contribute to, or has, in the past six (6) years, maintained, contributed to or been required to contribute to (i) any “employee benefit plan” that is or was subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) a Multiemployer Plan, (iii) any funded welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code, (iv) any Multiple Employer Plan, or (v) any Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement. Neither Parent nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has ever incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA.
(h) No Parent Employee Plan provides for, and neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has promised to provide any, medical or other welfare benefits to any service provider beyond termination of service or retirement, other than (i) pursuant to COBRA or an analogous state law requirement or (ii) continuation coverage through the end of the month in which such termination or retirement occurs. Parent does not sponsor or maintain any self-funded medical or long-term disability benefit plan.
(i) No Parent Employee Plan is subject to any law of a foreign jurisdiction outside of the United States.
(j) Each Parent Employee Plan that constitutes in any part a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as such term is defined under Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code and the guidance thereunder) (each, a “Parent 409A Plan”) has been operated and maintained in all material respects in operational and documentary compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the applicable guidance thereunder. No payment to be made under any Parent 409A Plan is or, when made in accordance with the terms of the Parent 409A Plan, will be subject to the penalties of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code.
(k) Parent is in material compliance with all Employment-Related Laws and in each case, with respect to the employees of Parent: (i) has withheld and reported all material amounts required by law or by agreement to be withheld and reported with respect to wages, salaries and other payments to employees, (ii) is not liable for any material amounts of arrears of wages, severance pay or any Taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing and (iii) is not liable for any material payment to any trust or other fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority, with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for employees (other than routine payments to be made in the Ordinary Course of Business). There are no material Legal Proceedings, claims, labor disputes or organizing activities, or grievances pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened or reasonably anticipated against or involving Parent or any trustee of Parent relating to any employee, contingent worker, director, employment agreement or Parent Employee Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) or Employment-Related Laws. To the Knowledge of Parent, there are no material pending or threatened or reasonably anticipated claims or actions against Parent, any Parent trustee or any trustee of any Subsidiary of Parent under any workers’ compensation policy or long-term disability policy. Parent is not a party to a conciliation agreement, consent decree or other agreement or Order with any federal, state or local agency or Governmental Authority with respect to employment practices.
67
(l) Parent has no material liability with respect to any misclassification within the past three (3) years of: (i) any Person as an independent contractor rather than as an employee, (ii) any employee leased from another employer or (iii) any employee currently or formerly classified as exempt from overtime wages. Parent has not taken any action which would constitute a “plant closing” or “mass layoff” within the meaning of the WARN Act, issued any notification of a plant closing or mass layoff required by the WARN Act (nor has Parent been under any requirement or obligation to issue any such notification), or incurred any liability or obligation under the WARN Act that remains unsatisfied.
(m) To the Knowledge of Parent, there has never been, nor has there been any threat of, any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, job action, union, organizing activity, question concerning representation or any similar activity or dispute, with respect to any Parent Associate. No event has occurred within the past six months, and no condition or circumstance exists, that, to the Knowledge of Parent, might directly or indirectly be likely to give rise to or provide a basis for the commencement of any such strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, job action, union organizing activity, question concerning representation or any similar activity or dispute.
(n) Parent is not, nor has Parent been, engaged in any material unfair labor practice within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act. There is no material Legal Proceeding, claim, labor dispute or grievance pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened or reasonably anticipated relating to any employment contract, privacy right, labor dispute, wages and hours, leave of absence, plant closing notification, workers’ compensation policy, long-term disability policy, harassment, retaliation, immigration, employment statute or regulation, safety or discrimination matter involving any current or former employee of Parent, including charges of unfair labor practices or discrimination complaints.
(o) There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound to compensate any of its employees or other service providers for any income or excise taxes paid pursuant to the Code, including, but not limited to, Section 4999 or Section 409A of the Code.
(p) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Contract that as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the stockholder approval of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, could (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) (i) result in the payment of any “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code or (ii) result in, or cause the accelerated vesting, payment, funding or delivery of, or increase the amount or value of, any payment or benefit to any employee, officer, director or other service provider of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.
68
4.18 Environmental Matters. Since January 1, 2023, Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession by Parent of all permits and other Governmental Authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws and compliance with the terms and conditions thereof, except for any failure to be in compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received since January 1, 2023, any written notice or other communication (in writing or otherwise), whether from a Governmental Authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any Environmental Law, and, to the Knowledge of Parent, there are no circumstances that may prevent or interfere with Parent’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ compliance with any Environmental Law in the future, except where such failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of Parent: (i) no current or prior owner of any property leased or controlled by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has received since January 1, 2023, any written notice or other communication relating to property owned or leased at any time by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, whether from a Governmental Authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that such current or prior owner or Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with or violated any Environmental Law relating to such property and (ii) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material liability under any Environmental Law. Parent has made available all environmental site assessments, environmental audits and other material environmental documents in the Parent’s possession or control relating to the Parent and its Subsidiaries, including the Parent’s and its Subsidiaries’ business and current or former facilities.
4.19 Insurance. Parent has delivered to the Company accurate and complete copies of all material insurance policies and all material self-insurance programs and arrangements relating to the business, assets, liabilities and operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries (including Merger Subs). Each of such insurance policies is in full force and effect and Parent and its Subsidiaries (including Merger Subs) are in compliance in all material respects with the terms thereof. Other than customary end of policy notifications from insurance carriers, since January 1, 2023, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice or other communication regarding any actual or possible: (i) cancellation or invalidation of any insurance policy or (ii) refusal or denial of any coverage, reservation of rights or rejection of any material claim under any insurance policy. Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries (including Merger Subs) has provided timely written notice to the appropriate insurance carrier(s) of each Legal Proceeding pending against Parent or such Subsidiary for which Parent or such Subsidiary has insurance coverage, and no such carrier has issued a denial of coverage or a reservation of rights with respect to any such Legal Proceeding, or informed Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of its intent to do so.
4.20 Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, since the date of Parent’s last proxy statement filed with the SEC, no event has occurred that would be required to be reported by Parent pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. Section 4.20 of the Parent Disclosure Letter identifies each Person who is (or who may be deemed to be) an Affiliate of Parent as of the date of this Agreement.
4.21 No Financial Advisors. Except as set forth on Section 4.21 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage fee, finder’s fee, opinion fee, success fee, transaction fee or other fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent.
69
4.22 Valid Issuance. The Parent Capital Stock (including any Parent Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) to be issued in the Merger will, when issued in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The Parent Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Parent Capital Stock has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designation, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
4.23 Privacy and Data Security. Parent and its Subsidiaries are and since January 1, 2023, have been in compliance with all applicable Privacy Laws and the applicable terms of any Parent Contracts governing privacy, data protection, data security, trans-border data flow, data loss, data theft, or breach notification, data localization, sending solicited or unsolicited electronic mail or text messages, cookies or other tracking technology, or the collection, handling, use, maintenance, storage, disclosure, transfer, or other processing of, Personal Information (including any such information of individuals, clinical trial participants, patients, patient family members, caregivers or advocates, physicians and other health care professionals, clinical trial investigators, researchers, pharmacists that interact with Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the operation of Parent’s and its Subsidiaries’ business), except, in each case, for such noncompliance as has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of Parent, Parent (i) has implemented and maintains reasonable Privacy Policies that materially comply with applicable Privacy Laws and are designed to protect the privacy and security of Personal Information and (ii) has complied with such Privacy Policies, except for such noncompliance as has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of Parent, no Legal Proceeding has been asserted or threatened against Parent by any Person alleging a violation of Privacy Laws, Privacy Policies, or the applicable terms of any Parent Contracts governing privacy, data protection, data security, trans-border data flow, data loss, data theft, or breach notification, data localization, sending solicited or unsolicited electronic mail or text messages, cookies or other tracking technology, or the collection, handling, use, maintenance, storage, disclosure, transfer, or other processing of, Personal Information. To the Knowledge of Parent, there have been no data security incidents or data breaches, or other adverse events or incidents that have resulted in any unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of, Personal Information or other data in the possession or control of Parent or any service provider acting on behalf of Parent, in each case, where such incident, breach, or event has resulted in a notification obligation to any Person under applicable Law or pursuant to the terms of any Parent Contract.
4.24 No Other Representations or Warranties. Parent hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any other person on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or with respect to any other information provided to Parent, Merger Subs or stockholders or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and (subject to the express representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3 (in each case as qualified and limited by the Company Disclosure Letter)) none of Parent, Merger Subs nor any of their respective Representatives or stockholders, has relied on any such information (including the accuracy or completeness thereof).
70
Section 5. Certain Covenants of the Parties.
5.1 Operation of Parent’s Business.
(a) Except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or the Subscription Agreement, (ii) as set forth in Section 5.1(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, (iii) as required by applicable Law, or (iv) unless the Company shall otherwise consent in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), during the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10 and the First Effective Time (the “Pre-Closing Period”), Parent shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to (x) conduct its business and operations in the Ordinary Course of Business and in material compliance with all applicable Law and the requirements of all Contracts that constitute Parent Material Contracts and (y) continue to pay material outstanding accounts payable and other material current Liabilities (including payroll) when due and payable.
(b) Except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or the Subscription Agreement, (ii) as set forth in Section 5.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, (iii) as required by applicable Law, or (iv) with the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), at all times during the Pre-Closing Period, Parent shall not, nor shall it cause or permit any of Subsidiaries to, do any of the following:
(i) declare, accrue, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of any shares of its capital stock or repurchase, redeem or otherwise reacquire any shares of its capital stock or other securities, (except for shares of Parent Common Stock from terminated employees, directors or consultants of Parent);
(ii) except as required to give effect to anything in contemplation of the Closing, amend any of its Organizational Documents, or effect or be a party to any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction except, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contemplated Transactions;
(iii) sell, issue, grant, pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber or authorize the issuance of: (A) any capital stock or other security (except for Parent Common Stock issued upon the valid exercise or settlement of outstanding Parent Options or Parent Restricted Stock Units, as applicable), (B) any option, warrant or right to acquire any capital stock or any other security or (C) any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other security;
(iv) form any Subsidiary or acquire any equity interest or other interest in any other Entity or enter into a joint venture with any other Entity;
(v) (A) lend money to any Person, (B) incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money, (C) guarantee any debt securities of others or (D) make any capital expenditure or commitment in excess of $25,000;
71
(vi) (A) adopt, establish or enter into any Parent Employee Plan, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any equity awards plans, (B) cause or permit any Parent Employee Plan to be amended other than as required by law or in order to make amendments for the purposes of compliance with Section 409A of the Code, (C) pay any bonus or make any profit-sharing or similar payment to (except with respect to obligations in place on the date of this Agreement pursuant to any Parent Employee Plan disclosed to the Company), or increase the amount of the wages, salary, commissions, fringe benefits or other compensation or remuneration payable to, any of its directors, officers, employees or consultants, (D) increase the severance or change of control benefits offered to any current or new employees, directors or consultants, or (E) hire any officer, employee or consultant;
(vii) acquire any material asset or sell, lease, license or otherwise irrevocably dispose of any of its assets or properties, or grant any Encumbrance with respect to such assets or properties;
(viii) sell, assign, transfer, license, sublicense or otherwise dispose of any material Parent IP Rights (other than pursuant to non-exclusive licenses in the Ordinary Course of Business);
(ix) other than in the Ordinary Course of Business: (A) make, change or revoke any material Tax election; (B) file any amended income or other material Tax Return; (C) adopt or change any material accounting method in respect of Taxes; (D) enter into any material Tax closing agreement, settle any material Tax claim or assessment; (E) consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to or relating to any material Tax claim or assessment; or (F) surrender any material claim for refund;
(x) waive, settle or compromise any pending or threatened Legal Proceeding against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, other than waivers, settlements or agreements (A) for an amount not in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate (excluding amounts to be paid under existing insurance policies or renewals thereof) and (B) that do not impose any material restrictions on the operations or businesses of Parent or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;
(xi) delay or fail to repay when due any material obligation, including accounts payable and accrued expenses;
(xii) forgive any loans to any Person, including its employees, officers, directors or Affiliate;
(xiii) terminate or modify in any material respect, or fail to exercise renewal rights with respect to, any material insurance policy;
(xiv) (A) materially change pricing or royalties or other payments set or charged by Parent or any of Subsidiaries to its customers or licensees or (B) agree to materially change pricing or royalties or other payments set or charged by Persons who have licensed Intellectual Property to Parent or any of Subsidiaries;
(xv) enter into, amend in a manner adverse to Parent or terminate any Parent Material Contract outside of the Ordinary Course of Business; or
72
(xvi) agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of Parent prior to the First Effective Time. Prior to the First Effective Time, Parent shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete unilateral control and supervision over its business operations.
5.2 Operation of the Company’s Business.
(a) Except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, (ii) as set forth in Section 5.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (iii) as required by applicable Law, (iv) with respect to any Interim Financing or Company Acquisition, which are expressly permitted, or (v) unless Parent shall otherwise consent in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), during the Pre-Closing Period the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its business and operations in the Ordinary Course of Business and in material compliance with all applicable Law and the requirements of all Contracts that constitute Company Material Contracts.
(b) Except (i) as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, (ii) as set forth in Section 5.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (iii) as required by applicable Law, (iv) in connection with any Interim Financing or Company Acquisition, which are expressly permitted, or (v) with the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), at all times during the Pre-Closing Period, the Company shall not, nor shall it cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, do any of the following:
(i) declare, accrue, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of any shares of its capital stock; or repurchase, redeem or otherwise reacquire any shares of Company Capital Stock or other securities (except for shares of Company Common Stock from terminated employees, directors or consultants of the Company);
(ii) except as required to give effect to anything in contemplation of the Closing, amend any of its or its Subsidiaries’ Organizational Documents, or effect or be a party to any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction except, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contemplated Transactions;
(iii) other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, sell, issue grant, or authorize any of the foregoing actions with respect to more than 25% of the shares of Company Capital Stock outstanding as of the date of this Agreement: (A) any capital stock or other security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except for shares of outstanding Company Common Stock issued upon the valid exercise of Company Options or Company Warrants), (B) any option, warrant or right to acquire any capital stock or any other security or (C) any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
73
(iv) other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, acquire any equity interest or other interest in any other Entity or enter into a joint venture with any other Entity;
(v) (A) lend money to any Person, (B) incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money, or (C) guarantee any debt securities of others;
(vi) sell, lease, license or otherwise irrevocably dispose of any of its assets or properties, or grant any Encumbrance with respect to such assets or properties, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(vii) sell, assign, transfer, license, sublicense or otherwise dispose of any material Company IP Rights (other than pursuant to non-exclusive licenses in the Ordinary Course of Business);
(viii) waive, settle or compromise any pending or threatened Legal Proceeding against the Company, other than waivers, settlements or agreements (A) for an amount not in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate (excluding amounts to be paid under existing insurance policies or renewals thereof) and (B) that do not impose any material restrictions on the operations or businesses of the Company or any equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by the Company;
(ix) enter into, amend in a manner adverse to the Company or terminate any Company Material Contract outside of the Ordinary Course of Business; or
(x) agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the Company prior to the First Effective Time. Prior to the First Effective Time, the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete unilateral control and supervision over its business operations.
5.3 Access and Investigation.
(a) Subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, which the Parties agree will continue in full force following the date of this Agreement, during the Pre-Closing Period, upon reasonable notice, Parent, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Party’s Representatives to: (a) provide the other Party and such other Party’s Representatives with reasonable access during normal business hours to such Party’s Representatives, personnel, property and assets and to all existing books, records, Tax Returns, work papers and other documents and information relating to such Party and its Subsidiaries, (b) provide the other Party and such other Party’s Representatives with such copies of the existing books, records, Tax Returns, work papers, product data, and other documents and information relating to such Party and its Subsidiaries, and with such additional financial, operating and other data and information regarding such Party and its Subsidiaries as the other Party may reasonably request, (c) permit the other Party’s officers and other employees to meet, upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, with the chief financial officer and other officers and managers of such Party responsible for such Party’s financial statements and the internal controls of such Party to discuss such matters as the other Party may deem necessary, and (d) make available to the other Party copies of any material notice, report or other document filed with or sent to or received from any Governmental Authority in connection with the Contemplated Transactions. Any investigation conducted by either Parent or the Company pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the conduct of the business of the other Party.
74
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary in this Section 5.3, no access or examination contemplated by this Section 5.3 shall be permitted to the extent that it would require any Party or its Subsidiaries to waive the attorney-client privilege or attorney work product privilege, or violate any applicable Law; provided, that such Party or its Subsidiary (i) shall be entitled to withhold only such information that may not be provided without causing such violation or waiver, (ii) shall provide to the other Party all related information that may be provided without causing such violation or waiver (including, to the extent permitted, redacted versions of any such information) and (iii) shall enter into such effective and appropriate joint-defense agreements or other protective arrangements as may be reasonably requested by the other Party in order that all such information may be provided to the other Party without causing such violation or waiver.
5.4 No Solicitation.
(a) Each of Parent and the Company agrees that, during the Pre-Closing Period, neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, nor shall it or any of its Subsidiaries authorize or permit any of its Representatives to, directly or indirectly,: (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage, induce or facilitate the communication, making, submission or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry or take any action that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, (ii) furnish any non-public information regarding such Party to any Person in connection with or in response to an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, (iii) engage in discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, (iv) execute or enter into any letter of intent or any Contract contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction or (v) publicly propose to do any of the foregoing; provided, however, that, (x) any public disclosures made in compliance with Section 6.3(e) shall not constitute a violation of this Section 5.4 and (y) notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5.4 and subject to compliance with this Section 5.4, prior to the approval of this Agreement by a Party’s stockholders (i.e., the Required Company Stockholder Vote, in the case of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or the Required Parent Stockholder Vote in the case of Parent), such Party may furnish non-public information regarding such Party and its Subsidiaries to, and enter into discussions or negotiations with, any Person in response to a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal by such Person which such Party’s board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with such Party’s financial advisors and outside legal counsel, constitutes, or is reasonably likely to result in, a Superior Offer (and is not withdrawn) if: (A) such Acquisition Proposal was not obtained or made as a direct or indirect result of a breach of this Agreement, (B) the board of directors of such Party concludes in good faith based on the advice of outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the board of directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (C) at least two (2) Business Days prior to initially furnishing any such nonpublic information to, or entering into discussions with, such Person, such Party gives the other Party written notice of the identity of such Person and of such Party’s intention to furnish nonpublic information to, or enter into discussions with, such Person, (D) such Party receives from such Person an executed Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement and (E) at least two (2) Business Days prior to furnishing any such nonpublic information to such Person, such Party furnishes such nonpublic information to the other Party (to the extent such information has not been previously furnished by such Party to the other Party). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party acknowledges and agrees that, in the event any Representative of such Party takes any action that, if taken by such Party, would constitute a breach of this Section 5.4 by such Party, the taking of such action by such Representative shall be deemed to constitute a breach of this Section 5.4 by such Party for purposes of this Agreement.
75
(b) If any Party or any Representative of such Party receives an Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry at any time during the Pre-Closing Period, then such Party shall promptly (and in no event later than one (1) Business Day after such Party becomes aware of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry) advise the other Party in writing of such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry (including the identity of the Person making or submitting such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, and the terms thereof). Such Party shall keep the other Party reasonably informed with respect to the status and terms of any such Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry and any material modification or material proposed modification thereto.
(c) Each Party shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing discussions, negotiations and communications with any Person that relate to any Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry as of the date of this Agreement and request the destruction or return of any nonpublic information provided to such Person.
(d) For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.4, the Company shall be expressly permitted to take any action with respect to an Interim Financing or a Company Acquisition.
5.5 Notification of Certain Matters. During the Pre-Closing Period, each of the Company, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other hand, shall promptly notify the other (and, if in writing, furnish copies of) if any of the following occurs: (a) any notice or other communication is received from any Person alleging that the Consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with any of the Contemplated Transactions, (b) any Legal Proceeding against or involving or otherwise affecting such Party or its Subsidiaries is commenced, or, to the Knowledge of such Party, threatened against such Party or, to the Knowledge of such Party, any director or officer of such Party, (c) such Party becomes aware of any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty made by such Party in this Agreement or (d) the failure of such Party to comply with any covenant or obligation of such Party; in each case that could reasonably be expected to make the timely satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in 6.19, Section 8 or Section 9, as applicable, impossible or materially less likely. No such notice shall be deemed to supplement or amend the Company Disclosure Letter or the Parent Disclosure Letter for the purpose of (x) determining the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement or (y) determining whether any condition set forth in 6.19, Section 8 or Section 9 has been satisfied. Any failure by either Party to provide notice pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall not be deemed to be a breach for purposes of Section 8.2 or Section 9.2, as applicable, unless such failure to provide such notice was knowing and intentional.
76
Section 6. Additional Agreements of the Parties.
6.1 Proxy Statement.
(a) On or prior to February 14, 2025, Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC a proxy statement relating to the Parent Stockholder Meeting to be held in connection with the Parent Stockholder Matters (together with any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement”). Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause the Proxy Statement to comply with applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and (ii) respond promptly to any comments or requests of the SEC or its staff related to the Proxy Statement.
(b) Parent covenants and agrees that the Proxy Statement (and the letters to stockholders, notice of meeting and form of proxy included therewith) will (i) comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of applicable U.S. federal securities Laws and the DGCL, and (ii) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Parent’s stockholders as promptly as practicable after the Proxy Statement has been filed with the SEC and either (i) the SEC has indicated that it does not intend to review the Proxy Statement or that its review of the Proxy Statement has been completed or (ii) at least ten (10) days shall have passed since the Proxy Statement was filed with the SEC without receiving any correspondence from the SEC commenting upon, or indicating that it intends to review, the Proxy Statement, all in compliance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the DGCL. If Parent, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub or the Surviving Entity (1) become aware of any event or information that, pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, should be disclosed in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, (2) receives notice of any SEC request for an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement or for additional information related thereto, or (3) receives SEC comments on the Proxy Statement, as the case may be, then such Party, as the case may be, shall promptly inform the other Parties thereof and shall cooperate with such other Parties in Parent filing such amendment or supplement with the SEC and, if appropriate, in mailing such amendment or supplement to the Parent stockholders. The Company and its legal counsel shall be given reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy Statement, including all amendments and supplements thereto, prior to the filing thereof with the SEC, and on the response to any comments of the SEC on the Proxy Statement, prior to the filing thereof with the SEC. Parent may file the Proxy Statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, without the prior consent of the Company.
(d) As promptly as reasonably practicable following December 31, 2024, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to Parent audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Company Financial Statements”) required to be included in the Proxy Statement.
77
6.2 Company Stockholder Written Consent.
(a) Promptly after the date hereof, and in any event no later than two (2) Business Days thereafter, the Company shall obtain the approval by written consent from Company stockholders sufficient for the Required Company Stockholder Vote in lieu of a meeting pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, for purposes of (i) adopting and approving this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) acknowledging that the approval given thereby is irrevocable and that such stockholder is aware of its rights to demand appraisal for its shares pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL, and that such stockholder has received and read a copy of Section 262 of the DGCL and (iii) acknowledging that by its approval of the Merger it is not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to its shares in connection with the Merger and thereby waives any rights to receive payment of the fair value of its capital stock under the DGCL (the “Company Stockholder Written Consents”). Under no circumstances shall the Company assert that any other approval or consent is necessary by its stockholders to approve this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions.
(b) Reasonably promptly following receipt of the Required Company Stockholder Vote, the Company shall prepare and mail a notice (the “Stockholder Notice”) to every stockholder of the Company that did not execute the Company Stockholder Written Consent. The Stockholder Notice shall (i) be a statement to the effect that the Company Board determined that the Merger is advisable in accordance with Section 251(b) of the DGCL and in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company and approved and adopted this Agreement, the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions, (ii) provide the stockholders of the Company to whom it is sent with notice of the actions taken in the Company Stockholder Written Consent, including the adoption and approval of this Agreement, the Merger and the other Contemplated Transactions in accordance with Section 228(e) of the DGCL and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and (iii) include a description of the appraisal rights of the Company’s stockholders available under the DGCL, along with such other information as is required thereunder and pursuant to applicable Law. All materials (including any amendments thereto) submitted to the stockholders of the Company in accordance with this Section 6.2(b) shall be subject to Parent’s advance review and reasonable approval.
(c) The Company agrees that, subject to Section 6.2(d): (i) the Company Board shall recommend that the Company’s stockholders vote to adopt and approve this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit such approval within the time set forth in Section 6.2(a) (the recommendation of the Company Board that the Company’s stockholders vote to adopt and approve this Agreement being referred to as the “Company Board Recommendation”) and (ii) the Company Board Recommendation shall not be withdrawn or modified (and the Company Board shall not publicly propose to withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation) in a manner adverse to Parent, and no resolution by the Company Board or any committee thereof to withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation in a manner adverse to Parent or to adopt, approve or recommend (or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend) any Acquisition Proposal shall be adopted or proposed.
78
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.2(c), and subject to compliance with Section 5.4 and Section 6.2, if at any time prior to approval and adoption of this Agreement by the Required Company Stockholder Vote, (i) the Company receives a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that the Company Board determines, following consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisor, to be a Superior Offer, or (ii) as a result of a material development or change in circumstances (other than any such event, development or change to the extent related to (A) any Acquisition Proposal, Acquisition Inquiry, Acquisition Transaction or the consequences thereof or (B) the fact, in and of itself, that the Company meets or exceeds internal budgets, plans or forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations) that affects the business, assets or operations of the Company that occurs or arises after the date of this Agreement (a “Company Intervening Event”), the Company Board may withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation (or publicly propose to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation) in a manner adverse to Parent (collectively, a “Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change”) if, but only if, (x) in the case of a Superior Offer, following the receipt of and on account of such Superior Offer, (i) the Company Board determines in good faith, based on the advice of its outside legal counsel, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (ii) the Company has, during the Notice Period (as defined below), negotiated with Parent in good faith to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that such Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Offer and (iii) if, Parent has delivered to the Company a written offer to alter the terms or conditions of this Agreement during the Notice Period, the Company Board shall have determined in good faith, based on the advice of its outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Company Board Recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law (after taking into account such alterations of the terms and conditions of this Agreement); provided that (1) Parent receives written notice from the Company confirming that the Company Board has determined to change its recommendation at least four (4) Business Days in advance of the Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change (the “Notice Period”), which notice shall include a description in reasonable detail of the reasons for such Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change, and written copies of any relevant proposed transaction agreements with any party making a potential Superior Offer, (2) during any Notice Period, Parent shall be entitled to deliver to the Company one or more counterproposals to such Acquisition Proposal and the Company will, and cause its Representatives to, negotiate with Parent in good faith (to the extent Parent desires to negotiate) to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that the applicable Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Offer and (3) in the event of any material amendment to any Superior Offer (including any revision in the amount, form or mix of consideration the Company’s stockholders would receive as a result of such potential Superior Offer), the Company shall be required to provide Parent with notice of such material amendment and the Notice Period shall be extended, if applicable, to ensure that at least three (3) Business Days remain in the Notice Period following such notification during which the parties shall comply again with the requirements of this Section 6.2(d) and the Company Board shall not make a Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change prior to the end of such Notice Period as so extended (it being understood that there may be multiple extensions) or (y) in the case of a Company Intervening Event, the Company promptly notifies Parent, in writing, within the Notice Period before making a Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change, which notice shall state expressly the material facts and circumstances related to the applicable Company Intervening Event and that the Company Board intends to make a Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change.
79
(e) The Company’s obligation to solicit the consent of its stockholders to sign the Company Stockholder Written Consent in accordance with Section 6.2(a) shall not be limited or otherwise affected by the commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission of any Superior Offer or other Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, or by any Company Board Adverse Recommendation Change.
6.3 Parent Stockholder Meeting.
(a) Parent shall take all action necessary under applicable Law to call, give notice of and hold a meeting of the holders of Parent Common Stock to consider and vote to approve (I) the issuance of shares of Parent Capital Stock (including shares of Parent Capital Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) in connection with the Contemplated Transactions for purposes of the listing rules of Nasdaq, and (II) the Parent Charter Amendment (collectively, the “Parent Stockholder Matters” and such meeting, the “Parent Stockholder Meeting”). The Parent Stockholder Meeting shall be held as promptly as practicable after the filing of the Proxy Statements in accordance with Section 6.1(a), and in any event, no later than 60 days after the date thereof. Parent shall take reasonable measures to ensure that all proxies solicited in connection with the Parent Stockholder Meeting are solicited in compliance with all applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if on the date of the Parent Stockholder Meeting, or a date preceding the date on which the Parent Stockholder Meeting is scheduled, Parent reasonably believes that (i) it will not receive proxies sufficient to obtain the Required Parent Stockholder Vote, whether or not a quorum would be present, (ii) it will not have sufficient shares of Parent Common Stock represented (whether in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Parent Stockholder Meeting or (iii) that the failure to postpone or adjourn the Parent Stockholder Meeting would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary obligations under applicable Law, Parent may postpone or adjourn, or make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of, the Parent Stockholder Meeting as long as the date of the Parent Stockholder Meeting is not postponed or adjourned more than an aggregate of 30 days in connection with any postponements or adjournments.
(b) Parent agrees that (i) the Parent Board shall recommend that the holders of Parent Common Stock vote to approve the Parent Stockholder Matters and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit such approval within the timeframe set forth in Section 6.3(a) above and (ii) the Proxy Statement shall include a statement to the effect that the Parent Board recommends that Parent’s stockholders vote to approve the Parent Stockholder Matters (the recommendation of the Parent Board being referred to as the “Parent Board Recommendation”).
80
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.3(b), and subject to compliance with Section 5.4 and Section 6.3, the Parent Board may withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Parent Board Recommendation (or publicly propose to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Parent Board Recommendation) in a manner adverse to the Company (a “Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change”) if, at any time prior to approval and adoption of this Agreement by the Required Parent Stockholder Vote, (i) Parent receives a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that the Parent Board determines, following consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisor, to be a Superior Offer or (ii) as a result of a material development or change in circumstances (other than any such event, development or change to the extent related to (A) any Acquisition Proposal, Acquisition Inquiry, Acquisition Transaction or the consequences thereof, or (B) the fact, in and of itself, that Parent meets or exceeds internal budgets, plans or forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations) that affects the business, assets or operations of Parent that occurs or arises after the date of this Agreement (a “Parent Intervening Event”), if, but only if, (x) in the case of a Superior Offer, following the receipt of and on account of such Superior Offer, (i) the Parent Board determines in good faith, based on the advice of its outside legal counsel, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Parent Board Recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, (ii) Parent has, and has caused its financial advisors and outside legal counsel to, during the Parent Notice Period (as defined below), negotiated with the Company in good faith to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that such Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Offer, and (iii) if, after the Company has delivered to Parent a written offer to alter the terms or conditions of this Agreement during the Parent Notice Period, the Parent Board shall have determined in good faith, based on the advice of its outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that the failure to withhold, amend, withdraw or modify the Parent Board Recommendation would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law (after taking into account such alterations of the terms and conditions of this Agreement); provided that (1) the Company receives written notice from Parent confirming that the Parent Board has determined to change its recommendation at least four (4) Business Days in advance of the Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change (the “Parent Notice Period”), which notice shall include a description in reasonable detail of the reasons for such Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change, and written copies of any relevant proposed transaction agreements with any party making a potential Superior Offer, (2) during any Parent Notice Period, the Company shall be entitled to deliver to Parent one or more counterproposals to such Acquisition Proposal and Parent will, and cause its Representatives to, negotiate with the Company in good faith (to the extent the Company desires to negotiate) to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that the applicable Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Offer and (3) in the event of any material amendment to any Superior Offer (including any revision in the amount, form or mix of consideration the Parent’s stockholders would receive as a result of such potential Superior Offer), Parent shall be required to provide the Company with notice of such material amendment and the Parent Notice Period shall be extended, if applicable, to ensure that at least three (3) Business Days remain in the Parent Notice Period following such notification during which the parties shall comply again with the requirements of this Section 6.3(c) and the Parent Board shall not make a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change prior to the end of such Parent Notice Period as so extended (it being understood that there may be multiple extensions) or (y) in the case of a Parent Intervening Event, Parent promptly notifies the Company, in writing, within the Parent Notice Period before making a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change, which notice shall state expressly the material facts and circumstances related to the applicable Parent Intervening Event and that the Parent Board intends to make a Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change.
81
(d) Parent’s obligation to call, give notice of and hold the Parent Stockholder Meeting in accordance with Section 6.3(a) shall not be limited or otherwise affected by the commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission of any Superior Offer, Acquisition Proposal or Acquisition Inquiry, or by any Parent Board Adverse Recommendation Change.
(e) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit Parent or the Parent Board from (i) complying with Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that any disclosure made by Parent or the Parent Board pursuant to Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) shall be limited to a statement that Parent is unable to take a position with respect to the bidder’s tender offer unless the Parent Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that such statement would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; (ii) complying with Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act; (iii) informing any Person of the existence of the provisions contained in Section 5.4; or (iv) making any disclosure that the Parent Board (or a committee thereof), after consultation with its outside legal counsel, has determined in good faith is required by applicable Law or by any listing or trading rules or regulations of Nasdaq; provided that, in the case of (iv), Parent shall provide the Company with a reasonable opportunity to review any such disclosure not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the making thereof (or, if two Business Days is not reasonably practicable under the circumstances, such shorter period of time as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances) and shall consider in good faith any comments from the Company thereto.
6.4 Efforts; Regulatory Approvals.
(a) The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all regulatory approvals required by applicable Law to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party (i) shall make all filings and other submissions (if any) and give all notices (if any) required to be made and given by such Party in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain each Consent (if any) reasonably required to be obtained (pursuant to any applicable Law or Contract, or otherwise) by such Party in connection with the Contemplated Transactions or for such Contract to remain in full force and effect, (iii) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to lift any injunction prohibiting, or any other legal bar to, the Contemplated Transactions and (iv) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the conditions precedent to the consummation of this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file or otherwise submit, as soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement, all applications, notices, reports and other documents reasonably required to be filed by such Party with or otherwise submitted by such Party to any Governmental Authority with respect to the Contemplated Transactions, and to submit promptly any additional information requested by any such Governmental Authority. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parties shall prepare and file, if required, (a) the notification and report forms required to be filed under the Hart–Scott–Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and (b) any notification or other document required to be filed in connection with the Merger under any applicable foreign Law relating to antitrust or competition matters, no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date the Company and Parent receive notification (in writing or otherwise) from the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, any state attorney general, foreign antitrust or competition authority or other Governmental Authority that a filing is required in connection with antitrust or competition matters.
82
(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent shall give the Company prompt written notice (email being sufficient) of any litigation against Parent and/or its directors relating to this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions (“Transaction Litigation”) (including by providing copies of all pleadings with respect thereto) and keep the Company reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. Parent will (i) give the Company the opportunity to participate in, but not control, the defense, settlement or prosecution of any Transaction Litigation (to the extent that the attorney-client privilege is not undermined or otherwise adversely affected; provided that Parent and the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to find alternative solutions to not undermine or adversely affect the privilege such as entering into common interest agreements, joint defense agreements or similar agreements), (ii) consult with the Company with respect to the defense, settlement and prosecution of any Transaction Litigation and (iii) consider in good faith the Company’s advice with respect to such Transaction Litigation. Parent will obtain the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) prior to settling or satisfying any such claim.
6.5 Company Options; Company Warrants.
(a) At the First Effective Time, Parent shall assume each Company Stock Plan and each Company Option (including any Service Provider Grants), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall, at the First Effective Time, cease to represent a right to acquire shares of Company Common Stock and shall be converted, at the First Effective Time, into an option to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock (an “Assumed Option”), on the same terms and conditions (including any vesting provisions and any provisions providing for accelerated vesting upon certain events) as were applicable under such Company Option as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time, except for administrative or ministerial changes as determined by the Company Board (or, following the First Effective Time, the Parent Board or compensation committee). The number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to each such Assumed Option shall be equal to (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the respective Company Option immediately prior to the First Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Exchange Ratio, rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole share of Parent Common Stock, and such Assumed Option shall have an exercise price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (A) the exercise price per share of the Company Common Stock otherwise purchasable pursuant to the respective Company Option immediately prior to the First Effective Time divided by (B) the Exchange Ratio; provided, that in the case of any Company Option to which Section 421 of the Code applies as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time (taking into account the effect of any accelerated vesting thereof, if applicable) by reason of its qualification under Section 422 of the Code, the exercise price, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code; provided further, that in the case of any Assumed Option to which Section 409A of the Code applies as of the First Effective Time, the exercise price, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid the imposition of any additional taxes thereunder. The Company Board shall, prior to the First Effective Time, take all actions necessary to effect the foregoing.
83
(b) At the First Effective Time, each Company Warrant, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time shall, at the First Effective Time, cease to represent a right to acquire shares of Company Capital Stock and shall be converted, at the First Effective Time, into a warrant to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock (an “Assumed Warrant”), on the same terms and conditions (including any vesting provisions and any provisions providing for accelerated vesting upon certain events) as were applicable under such Assumed Warrant as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time. The number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to each such Assumed Warrant shall be equal to (i) the number of shares of the Company Common Stock subject to each Assumed Warrant immediately prior to the First Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the next whole share of Parent Common Stock to the extent the aggregate amount of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock such holder of Assumed Warrants would otherwise be entitled to is equal to or exceeds 0.50, and otherwise rounded down), and such Assumed Warrant shall have an exercise price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (A) the exercise price per share of the Company Common Stock otherwise purchasable pursuant to such Assumed Warrant immediately prior to the First Effective Time divided by (B) the Exchange Ratio.
6.6 Employee Benefits.
(a) Parent shall comply with the terms of any employment, severance, retention, change of control, or similar agreement specified on Section 4.17(d) or contemplated by Section 5.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, subject to the provisions of such agreements. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Merger shall not constitute a “change in control” (or term of similar import) under any Company Employee Plan.
(b) From and after the First Effective Time, with respect to each benefit plan maintained by Parent or the Surviving Entity that is an “employee welfare benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA (each, a “Post-Closing Welfare Plan”) in which any current or former employee of Parent is or becomes eligible to participate (including under COBRA), Parent and the Surviving Entity shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such Post-Closing Welfare Plan to (i) waive all limitations as to pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, required physical examinations and exclusions with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable under such Post-Closing Welfare Plan for such current or former Parent employee and his or her eligible dependents to the same extent that such pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, required physical examinations and exclusions would not have applied or would have been waived under the corresponding Parent Employee Plan in which such current or former Parent employee was a participant immediately prior to his or her commencement of participation in such Post-Closing Welfare Plan, and (ii) provide each such current or former Parent employee and his or her eligible dependents with credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid in the plan year that includes the First Effective Time, and prior to the date that, such current or former Parent employee commences participation in such Post-Closing Welfare Plan in satisfying any applicable co-payment or deductible requirements under such Post-Closing Welfare Plan for the applicable plan year, to the extent that such expenses were recognized for such purposes under the comparable Parent Employee Plan.
84
(c) Parent 401(k) Plan. Unless directed otherwise by the Company in writing no less than three (3) Business Days before the Closing Date, Parent shall, at least one (1) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, (i) ceased contributions to, and adopted written resolutions (or taken other necessary and appropriate action(s)) to terminate any Parent Employee Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code with a cash or deferred arrangement described in Section 401(k) of the Code (collectively, the “401(k) Plans”) in compliance with such 401(k) Plan’s terms and the requirements of applicable Law, (ii) made all employee and employer contributions to the 401(k) Plans for all periods of service prior to the Closing Date, including such contributions that would have been made on behalf of 401(k) Plan participants had the Merger not occurred (regardless of any service or end-of-year employment requirements) but prorated for the portion of the plan year that ends on the Closing Date, and (iii) 100% vested all participants under the 401(k) Plans, with such termination, contributions and vesting effective no later than one (1) day prior to the Closing Date. Parent shall provide the Company copies of all such corporate actions or documentation related to the same at least three (3) Business Days before their adoption or approval for the Company’s reasonable review and comment.
(d) Parent Options. As of immediately prior to the First Effective Time, each Parent Option that is then outstanding but not then vested or exercisable shall become immediately vested and exercisable in full. At the First Effective Time, each In the Money Parent Option that is then outstanding shall be canceled and the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive, immediately prior to the First Effective Time a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the number of shares underlying such Parent Option. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the tax withholding obligations for each holder receiving shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be satisfied by Parent withholding from issuance that number of shares of Parent Common Stock calculated by multiplying the legally-required withholding rate for such holder in connection with such issuance by the number of shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in accordance with the preceding sentence, and rounding up to the nearest whole share and remitting such withholding in cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. At the First Effective Time, each Out of the Money Parent Option shall be cancelled for no consideration. Prior to the Closing, the Parent Board shall have adopted appropriate resolutions and taken all other actions necessary and appropriate to provide for the foregoing.
(e) Parent Restricted Stock Units. As of immediately prior to the First Effective Time, the Parent Board shall have adopted appropriate resolutions and taken all other actions necessary and appropriate to provide that (i) the vesting of each outstanding and unvested Parent Restricted Stock Unit shall be accelerated in full effective as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time, contingent on the occurrence of the Closing and (ii) for each outstanding and unsettled Parent Restricted Stock Unit (including any Parent Restricted Stock Units accelerated under Section 6.6(e)(i) above) the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive, immediately prior to the First Effective Time a number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the number of vested and unsettled shares underlying such Parent Restricted Stock Units. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the tax withholding obligations for each holder receiving shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be satisfied by Parent withholding from issuance that number of shares of Parent Common Stock calculated by multiplying the legally-required withholding rate for such holder in connection with such issuance by the number of shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in accordance with the preceding sentence, and rounding up to the nearest whole share and remitting such withholding in cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. Prior to the Closing, the Parent Board shall have adopted appropriate resolutions and taken all other actions necessary and appropriate to provide for the foregoing.
85
6.7 Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
(a) From the First Effective Time through the sixth anniversary of the date on which the First Effective Time occurs, each of Parent and the Surviving Entity shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date hereof, or who becomes prior to the First Effective Time, a director or officer of Parent or the Company, respectively (the “D&O Indemnified Parties”), against all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, judgments, fines and reasonable fees, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements (collectively, “Costs”), incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to the fact that the D&O Indemnified Party is or was a director or officer of Parent or of the Company, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the First Effective Time, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL. Each D&O Indemnified Party will be entitled to advancement of expenses incurred in the defense of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation from each of Parent and the Surviving Entity, jointly and severally, upon receipt by Parent or the Surviving Entity from the D&O Indemnified Party of a request therefor; provided that any such person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to Parent, to the extent then required by the DGCL, to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification. Without otherwise limiting the D&O Indemnified Parties’ rights with regards to counsel, following the First Effective Time, the D&O Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to continue to retain Sidley Austin LLP or such other counsel selected by the D&O Indemnified Parties.
(b) The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Entity shall contain, and Parent shall cause the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Entity to so contain, provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation of present and former directors and officers as those presently set forth in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent.
(c) From and after the First Effective Time, (i) the Surviving Entity shall fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of the Company to its D&O Indemnified Parties as of immediately prior to the Closing pursuant to any indemnification provisions under the Company’s Organizational Documents and pursuant to any indemnification agreements between the Company and such D&O Indemnified Parties, with respect to claims arising out of matters occurring at or prior to the First Effective Time and (ii) Parent shall fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of Parent to its D&O Indemnified Parties as of immediately prior to the Closing pursuant to any indemnification provisions under Parent’s Organizational Documents and pursuant to any indemnification agreements between Parent and such D&O Indemnified Parties, with respect to claims arising out of matters occurring at or prior to the First Effective Time.
86
(d) From and after the First Effective Time, Parent shall maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies, with an effective date as of the Closing Date, on commercially reasonable terms and conditions and with coverage limits customary for U.S. public companies similarly situated to Parent. In addition, Parent shall purchase at its sole expense, prior to the First Effective Time, a six (6) year prepaid “D&O tail policy” for the non-cancelable extension of the directors’ and officers’ liability coverage of Parent’s existing directors’ and officers’ insurance policies for a claims reporting or discovery period of at least six (6) years from and after the First Effective Time with respect to any claim related to any period of time at or prior to the First Effective Time with terms, conditions, retentions and limits of liability that are no less favorable than the coverage provided under Parent’s existing policies as of the date of this Agreement, or otherwise acceptable to Parent, except that Parent will not commit or spend on such “D&O Tail policy” annual premiums in excess of 250% of the annual premiums paid by Parent in its last full fiscal year prior to the date hereof for Parent’s current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance (nor, for the avoidance of doubt, shall Parent be obligated to spend any specific amount), and if such premiums for such “D&O tail policy” would exceed 250% of such annual premium, then Parent shall purchase policies that provide the maximum coverage available at an annual premium equal to 250% of such annual premium. The Company shall in good faith cooperate with Parent prior to the First Effective Time with respect to the procurement of such “D&O tail policy.”
(e) From and after the First Effective Time, Parent shall pay all expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, that are incurred by the persons referred to in this Section 6.7 in connection with their enforcement of the rights provided to such persons in this Section 6.7.
(f) The provisions of this Section 6.7 are intended to be in addition to the rights otherwise available to the current and former officers and directors of Parent and the Company by Law, charter, statute, bylaw or agreement, and shall operate for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Parties, their heirs and their Representatives.
(g) In the event Parent or the Surviving Entity or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent or the Surviving Entity, as the case may be, shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 6.7. Parent shall cause the Surviving Entity to perform all of the obligations of the Surviving Entity under this Section 6.7.
6.8 Disclosure. The Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to agree to the text of any initial press release and Parent’s Form 8-K announcing the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Without limiting any Party’s obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement, no Party shall, and no Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Representative to, issue any press release or make any public disclosure regarding the Contemplated Transactions unless: (a) the other Party shall have approved such press release or disclosure in writing, such approval not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed; or (b) such Party shall have determined in good faith, upon the advice of outside legal counsel, that such disclosure is required by applicable Law and, to the extent practicable, before such press release or disclosure is issued or made, such Party advises the other Party of, and consults with the other Party regarding, the text of such press release or disclosure; provided, however, that each of the Company and Parent may make any public statement in response to specific questions by the press, analysts, investors or those attending industry conferences or financial analyst conference calls, so long as any such statements are consistent with previous press releases, public disclosures or public statements made by the Company or Parent in compliance with this Section 6.8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Party need not consult with any other Parties in connection with such portion of any press release, public statement or filing to be issued or made pursuant to Section 6.2(d) or pursuant to Section 6.3(e).
87
6.9 Listing. At or prior to the First Effective Time, Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (a) maintain its listing on Nasdaq until the First Effective Time and to obtain approval of the listing of the combined corporation on Nasdaq, (b) to the extent required by the rules and regulations of Nasdaq, prepare and submit to Nasdaq a notification form for the listing of the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and to cause such shares to be approved for listing (subject to official notice of issuance); (c) prepare and timely submit to Nasdaq a notification form for the Nasdaq Reverse Split (if required) and to submit a copy of the amendment to Parent’s certificate of incorporation effecting the Nasdaq Reverse Split, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, to Nasdaq on the Closing Date; and (d) to the extent required by Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5110, assist the Company in preparing and filing an initial listing application for the Parent Capital Stock on Nasdaq (including any Parent Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) (the “Nasdaq Listing Application”) and to cause such Nasdaq Listing Application to be conditionally approved prior to the First Effective Time. Each Party will reasonably promptly inform the other Party of all verbal or written communications between Nasdaq and such Party or its representatives. The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to coordinate with respect to compliance with Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Party not filing the Nasdaq Listing Application will cooperate with the other Party as reasonably requested by such filing Party with respect to the Nasdaq Listing Application and promptly furnish to such filing Party all information concerning itself and its members that may be required or reasonably requested in connection with any action contemplated by this Section 6.9. All Nasdaq fees associated with any action contemplated by this Section 6.9, including any fees related to the engagement of a consultant (the “Nasdaq Fees”), shall be paid by the Company.
6.10 Tax Matters.
(a) The Parties shall use reasonable efforts (and each shall cause its Affiliates) to cause the Merger to qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment. No Party shall take any actions, or fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Intended Tax Treatment. The Parties shall report the Contemplated Transactions for all applicable Tax purposes in a manner that is consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment. No Party shall take any position that is inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment during the course of any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes, in each case, unless otherwise required by a determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code. The Parties shall comply with the recordkeeping and information reporting requirements imposed on them, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-3.
(b) Parent shall promptly notify the Company if, at any time before the First Effective Time, Parent becomes aware of any fact or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to prevent, cause a failure of, or impede the Intended Tax Treatment. The Company shall promptly notify Parent if, at any time before the First Effective Time, the Company becomes aware of any fact or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to prevent, cause a failure of, or impede the Intended Tax Treatment.
88
(c) If the SEC requires that an opinion with respect to the Intended Tax Treatment be prepared and submitted in connection with the Proxy Statement, (i) the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP (or such other nationally recognized law or accounting firm reasonably satisfactory to the Company) to furnish an opinion (as so required and subject to customary assumptions and limitations), (ii) Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause Sidley Austin LLP (or such other nationally recognized law or accounting firm reasonably satisfactory to Parent) to furnish an opinion (as so required and subject to customary assumptions and limitations), and (iii) Parent and the Company shall each deliver to each of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP (or such other nationally recognized law or accounting firm reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and Sidley Austin LLP (or such other nationally recognized law or accounting firm reasonably satisfactory to Parent) a Tax certificate, dated as of the date the Proxy Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC and signed by an officer of Parent or the Company, as applicable, containing customary representations and covenants reasonably acceptable to the Company and Parent, as applicable, in each case, as reasonably necessary and appropriate to enable such advisors to render such opinions (the “Tax Certificates”). Each of Parent and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts not to take or cause to be taken any action that would cause to be untrue (or fail to take or cause not to be taken any action which would cause to be untrue) any of the Tax certifications, covenants or representations included in the Tax Certificates.
(d) Parent and the Company shall reasonably cooperate in the preparation, execution and filing of all Tax Returns, questionnaires, applications or other documents regarding any real property transfer, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer and stamp taxes, and transfer, recording, registration and other fees and similar Taxes which become payable in connection with the Merger that are required or permitted to be filed on or before the First Effective Time. Each of Parent and the Company shall pay, without deduction from any consideration or other amounts payable or otherwise deliverable pursuant to this Agreement and without reimbursement from the other party, any such Taxes or fees imposed on it by any Governmental Authority, which becomes payable in connection with the Merger.
6.11 Legends. Parent shall be entitled to place appropriate legends on the book entries and/or certificates evidencing any shares of Parent Capital Stock to be received in the Merger by equityholders of the Company who may be considered “affiliates” of Parent for purposes of Rules 144 and 145 under the Securities Act reflecting the restrictions set forth in Rules 144 and 145 and to issue appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for any such shares of Parent Capital Stock.
6.12 Officers and Directors. Until successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with applicable Law, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts and take all necessary action so that the Persons listed on Section 6.12 of the Parent Disclosure Letter are elected or appointed, as applicable, to the positions of officers or directors of Parent and the Surviving Entity, as set forth therein, to serve in such positions effective as of the Second Effective Time. If any Person listed on Section 6.12 of the Parent Disclosure Letter is unable or unwilling to serve as officer or director of Parent or the Surviving Entity, as set forth therein, the Party appointing such Person (as set forth on Section 6.12 of the Parent Disclosure Letter) shall designate a successor. The Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to have each of the Persons that will serve as directors and officers of the Parent following the Closing to execute and deliver a Lock-Up Agreement prior to Closing.
89
6.13 Termination of Certain Agreements and Rights. Each of Parent and the Company shall cause any stockholder agreements, voting agreements, registration rights agreements, co-sale agreements and any other similar Contracts between either Parent or the Company and any holders of Parent Common Stock or Company Capital Stock, respectively, including any such Contract granting any Person investor rights, rights of first refusal, registration rights or director registration rights, to be terminated immediately prior to the First Effective Time, without any liability being imposed on the part of Parent or the Surviving Entity.
6.14 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the First Effective Time, Parent shall take all such steps as may be required to cause any acquisitions of Parent Common Stock and any options to purchase Parent Common Stock in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, by each individual who is reasonably expected to become subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to Parent, to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
6.15 Allocation Information. The Company will prepare and deliver to Parent prior to the Closing a spreadsheet setting forth (as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time) (a) each holder of Company Capital Stock, (b) such holder’s name and address, (c) the number or percentage and type of Company Capital Stock held as of the Closing Date for each such holder and (d) the number of shares of Parent Capital Stock to be issued to such holder pursuant to this Agreement in respect of the Company Capital Stock held by such holder as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time (the “Allocation Certificate”).
6.16 Parent SEC Documents. From the date of this Agreement to the First Effective Time, Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to timely file with the SEC all registration statements, proxy statements, Certifications, reports, schedules, exhibits, forms and other documents required to be filed by Parent with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (“SEC Documents”). As of its filing date, or if amended after the date of this Agreement, as of the date of the last such amendment, each SEC Document filed by Parent with the SEC (a) shall comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, and (b) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
6.17 Notice of Certain Transactions. As reasonably practicable following the closing of any Interim Financing or Company Acquisition, the Company shall provide notice to Parent (email being sufficient) setting forth in reasonable detail the terms of such Interim Financing or Company Acquisition, including (i) in the case of any Interim Financing, the amount of proceeds actually received by the Company in connection with such Interim Financing and (ii) in the case of any Company Acquisition, the Fair Market Value associated therewith.
90
6.18 Obligations of Merger Subs. Parent will take all action necessary to cause each Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
6.19 Parent Financing. To the extent requested by the Company prior to the Closing, Parent shall use reasonable best efforts to amend, restate and/or supersede the Subscription Agreement, in the manner determined by the Company at the Company’s cost and expense, to allow for the purchase of additional shares (up to $200,000,000 of such additional shares at a price per share no less than the Nasdaq official closing price (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the signing of such amendment or restatement of the Subscription Agreement or other or superseding subscription agreement) of Parent Common Stock (whether in a second tranche or otherwise) by new or existing investors.
Section 7. Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Each Party.
The obligations of each Party to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the written waiver by each of the Parties, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
7.1 Regulatory Approvals. Any applicable waiting periods (or any extensions thereof) under the HSR Act (if applicable) shall have expired or otherwise been terminated.
7.2 No Restraints. Any material state securities laws applicable to the issuance of the shares of Parent Capital Stock in connection with the Contemplated Transactions (including any Parent Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) shall have been complied with and no Order preventing the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions shall have been issued by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction and remain in effect and there shall not be any Law which has the effect of making the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions illegal.
7.3 Stockholder Approval. (a) Parent shall have obtained the Required Parent Stockholder Vote (but solely with respect to such items as are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) and (b) the Company shall have obtained the Required Company Stockholder Vote.
7.4 Listing. The Nasdaq Listing Application shall have been approved by Nasdaq.
7.5 Lock-Up Agreements. The Lock-Up Agreements shall be in full force and effect.
7.6 Parent Charter Amendment. The Parent Charter Amendment shall have been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, containing at least such amendments as are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.7 Certificate of Designation. Parent shall have filed the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
91
Section 8. Additional Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Parent and Merger Subs.
The obligations of Parent and Merger Subs to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or the written waiver by Parent, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
8.1 Accuracy of Representations. The Company Fundamental Representations shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are specifically made as of a particular date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such date). The Company Capitalization Representations shall have been true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date, except, in each case, (x) for such inaccuracies which are de minimis, individually or in the aggregate, (y) for those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which representations and warranties shall have been true and correct, subject to the qualifications as set forth in the preceding clause (x), as of such particular date). The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (other than the Company Fundamental Representations and the Company Capitalization Representations) shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on the Closing Date except (a) in each case, or in the aggregate, where the failure to be so true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect (without giving effect to any references therein to any Company Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifications) or (b) for those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which representations shall have been true and correct, subject to the qualifications as set forth in the preceding clause (a), as of such particular date) (it being understood that, for purposes of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties, any update of or modification to the Company Disclosure Letter made or purported to have been made after the date of this Agreement shall be disregarded).
8.2 Performance of Covenants. The Company shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the First Effective Time.
8.3 Documents. Parent shall have received the following documents, each of which shall be in full force and effect:
(a) a certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company certifying (i) that the conditions set forth in Sections 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 have been duly satisfied and (ii) that the information (other than emails and addresses) set forth in the Allocation Certificate delivered by the company in accordance with Section 6.15 is true and accurate in all respects as of the Closing Date;
(b) a certificate pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1445-2(c) and 1.897-2(h), together with a form of notice to the IRS in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h), in each case, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent;
92
(c) the Company Valuation Schedule; and
(d) the Allocation Certificate.
8.4 No Company Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Company Material Adverse Effect that is continuing.
8.5 Company Stockholder Written Consent. The Company Stockholder Written Consent executed by the stockholders of the Company shall be in full force and effect.
8.6 Parent Financing. The Subscription Agreement shall be in full force and effect and proceeds of not less than the Minimum Concurrent Investment Amount shall have been received by Parent or will be received by Parent substantially concurrently with the Closing in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement.
Section 9. Additional Conditions Precedent to Obligation of the Company.
The obligations of the Company to effect the Merger and otherwise consummate the transactions to be consummated at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or the written waiver by the Company, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
9.1 Accuracy of Representations. The Parent Fundamental Representations shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are specifically made as of a particular date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such date). The Parent Capitalization Representations shall have been true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date, except, in each case, (x) for such inaccuracies which are de minimis, individually or in the aggregate, (y) for those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which representations and warranties shall have been true and correct, subject to the qualifications as set forth in the preceding clause (x), as of such particular date). The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Subs contained in this Agreement (other than the Parent Fundamental Representations and the Parent Capitalization Representations) shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on the Closing Date except (a) in each case, or in the aggregate, where the failure to be so true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect (without giving effect to any references therein to any Parent Material Adverse Effect or other materiality qualifications) or (b) for those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (which representations shall have been true and correct, subject to the qualifications as set forth in the preceding clause (a), as of such particular date) (it being understood that, for purposes of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties, any update of or modification to the Parent Disclosure Letter made or purported to have been made after the date of this Agreement shall be disregarded).
93
9.2 Performance of Covenants. Parent and Merger Subs shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all of their agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with by each of them under this Agreement at or prior to the First Effective Time.
9.3 Documents. The Company shall have received the following documents, each of which shall be in full force and effect:
(a) a certificate executed by an executive officer of Parent certifying that the conditions set forth in Sections 9.1, 9.2 and 9.4 have been duly satisfied;
(b) written resignations in forms satisfactory to the Company, dated as of the Closing Date and effective as of the Closing executed by the officers and directors of Parent who are not to continue as officers or directors of Parent pursuant to Section 6.12 hereof; and
(c) the Parent Net Cash Schedule.
9.4 No Parent Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Parent Material Adverse Effect that is continuing.
Section 10. Termination.
10.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the First Effective Time (whether before or after adoption of this Agreement by the Company’s stockholders and whether before or after approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters by Parent’s stockholders, unless otherwise specified below):
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;
(b) by either Parent or the Company if the Merger shall not have been consummated by September 30, 2025 (subject to possible extension as provided in this Section 10.1(b), the “End Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(b) shall not be available to the Company or Parent if such Party’s (or in the case of Parent, Merger Subs’) action or failure to act has been a principal cause of the failure of the Merger to occur on or before the End Date and such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement;
(c) by either Parent or the Company if a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority shall have issued a final and nonappealable Order having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Contemplated Transactions;
(d) by Parent if the Required Company Stockholder Vote shall not have been obtained within two (2) Business Days of the date hereof; provided, however, that once the Required Company Stockholder Vote has been obtained (whether timely or not), Parent may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(d);
94
(e) by either Parent or the Company if (i) the Parent Stockholder Meeting (including any adjournments and postponements thereof) shall have been held and completed and Parent’s stockholders shall have taken a final vote on the Parent Stockholder Matters and (ii) the Parent Stockholder Matters shall not have been approved at the Parent Stockholder Meeting (or at any adjournment or postponement thereof) by the Required Parent Stockholder Vote; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.1(e) shall not be available to Parent where the failure to obtain the Required Parent Stockholder Vote shall have been caused by the action or failure to act of Parent and such action or failure to act constitutes a material breach by Parent of this Agreement;
(f) by the Company (at any time prior to the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters by the Required Parent Stockholder Vote) if a Parent Triggering Event shall have occurred;
(g) by Parent (at any time prior to the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Contemplated Transactions by the Required Company Stockholder Vote) if a Company Triggering Event shall have occurred;
(h) by the Company, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement by Parent or Merger Subs or if any representation or warranty of Parent or Merger Subs shall have become inaccurate, in either case, such that the conditions set forth in Section 9.1 or Section 9.2 would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have become inaccurate; provided, that the Company is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement; provided further, that if such inaccuracy in Parent’s or Merger Subs’ representations and warranties or breach by Parent or Merger Subs is curable by Parent or Merger Subs, then the Company shall not be permitted to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(h) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy until the earlier of (i) the expiration of a thirty (30) day period commencing upon delivery of written notice from the Company to Parent or Merger Subs of such breach or inaccuracy and its intention to terminate pursuant to this Section 10.1(h) and (ii) Parent or Merger Subs (as applicable) ceasing to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach following delivery of written notice from the Company to Parent or Merger Subs of such breach or inaccuracy and its intention to terminate pursuant to this Section 10.1(h) (it being understood that the Company shall not be permitted to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(h) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy if such breach by Parent or Merger Subs is cured prior to such termination becoming effective);
(i) by Parent, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement by the Company or if any representation or warranty of the Company shall have become inaccurate, in either case, such that the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 would not be satisfied as of the time of such breach or as of the time such representation or warranty shall have become inaccurate; provided that Parent is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement; provided, further, that if such inaccuracy in the Company’s representations and warranties or breach by the Company is curable by the Company then Parent shall not be permitted to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(i) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy until the earlier of (i) the expiration of a thirty (30) day period commencing upon delivery of written notice from Parent to the Company of such breach or inaccuracy and its intention to terminate pursuant to this Section 10.1(i) and (ii) the Company ceasing to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach following delivery of written notice from Parent to the Company of such breach or inaccuracy and its intention to terminate pursuant to this Section 10.1(i) (it being understood that Parent shall not be permitted to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(i) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy if such breach by the Company is cured prior to such termination becoming effective); or
95
(j) by Parent (at any time prior to the approval of the Parent Stockholder Matters by the Required Parent Stockholder Vote) and following compliance with all of the requirements set forth in the proviso to this Section 10.1(j), upon the Parent Board authorizing Parent to enter into a Permitted Alternative Agreement; provided, however, that Parent shall not enter into any Permitted Alternative Agreement unless: (i) Parent shall have complied in all material respects with its obligations under Section 5.4 and Section 6.3, (ii) the Parent Board shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to enter into such Permitted Alternative Agreement would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary obligations under applicable Law and (iii) Parent shall concurrently pay to the Company the Company Termination Fee in accordance with Section 10.3(d).
The Party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section Section 10 (other than pursuant to Section 10.1(a)) shall give a notice of such termination to the other Party specifying the provisions hereof pursuant to which such termination is made and the basis therefor described in reasonable detail.
10.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section Section 10, this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect; provided, however, that (a) this Section 10.2, Section 10.3 and Error! Reference source not found.11 (other than Section 11.8) and the related definitions of the defined terms in such sections shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect and (b) the termination of this Agreement and the provisions of Section 10.3 shall not relieve any Party of any liability for fraud or for any willful and material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or other provision contained in this Agreement.
10.3 Expenses; Termination Fees.
(a) Except as set forth in this Section 10.3 and Section 6.9, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions shall be paid by the Party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.
(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated by Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 10.1(e) or by the Company pursuant to Section 10.1(f), (ii) at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Parent Stockholder Meeting, a bona fide third party Acquisition Proposal for a change of control transaction with respect to Parent shall have been publicly announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the Parent Board (and shall not have been withdrawn) and (iii) within twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, Parent enters into a definitive agreement with respect to a Subsequent Transaction or consummates a Subsequent Transaction (excluding in each case any transactions occurring in connection with the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of Parent), then Parent shall pay to the Company, within ten (10) Business Days after termination (or, if applicable, upon such entry into a definitive agreement or consummation of a Subsequent Transaction), a nonrefundable fee in an amount equal to $320,000 (the “Company Termination Fee”).
96
(c) If this Agreement is terminated by the Company (other than pursuant to Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f)), the Company shall pay to Parent, within ten (10) Business Days of such termination, a non-refundable fee in an amount equal to $500,000 for each month (or portion thereof) that has elapsed after May 30, 2025 at the time of such payment; provided that in no event shall the amount of the fee payable by the Company pursuant to this Section 10.3(c) exceed $2,000,000.
(d) If this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 10.1(d), the Company shall pay to Parent, within ten (10) Business Days of such termination, a nonrefundable fee in an amount equal to $2,000,000. If (i) this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 10.1(g), (ii) at any time after the date of this Agreement and before obtaining the Required Company Stockholder Vote, a, Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company shall have been announced, disclosed or otherwise communicated to the Company Board (and shall not have been withdrawn) and (iii) within twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, the Company enters into a definitive agreement with respect to a Subsequent Transaction or consummates a Subsequent Transaction, then the Company shall pay to Parent, within ten (10) Business Days after termination (or, if applicable, upon such entry into a definitive agreement or consummation of a Subsequent Transaction), a nonrefundable fee in an amount equal to $2,000,000.
(e) If either Party fails to pay when due any amount payable by it under this Section 10.3, then (i) such Party shall reimburse the other Party for reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with the collection of such overdue amount and the enforcement by the other Party of its rights under this Section 10.3 and (ii) such Party shall pay to the other Party interest on such overdue amount (for the period commencing as of the date such overdue amount was originally required to be paid and ending on the date such overdue amount is actually paid to the other Party in full) at a rate per annum equal to the “prime rate” (as announced by Bank of America or any successor thereto) in effect on the date such overdue amount was originally required to be paid plus three percent.
(f) The Parties agree that, subject to Section 10.2, the payment of the fees and expenses set forth in this Section 10.3 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of each Party following a termination of this Agreement under the circumstances described in this Section 10.3, it being understood that in no event shall either Parent or the Company be required to pay the individual fees or damages payable pursuant to this Section 10.3 on more than one occasion. Subject to Section 10.2, following the payment of the fees and expenses set forth in this Section 10.3 by a Party, (i) such Party shall have no further liability to the other Party in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the termination thereof, any breach of this Agreement by the other Party giving rise to such termination, or the failure of the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated, (ii) no other Party or their respective Affiliates shall be entitled to bring or maintain any other claim, action or proceeding against such Party or seek to obtain any recovery, judgment or damages of any kind against such Party (or any partner, member, stockholder, director, officer, employee, Subsidiary, Affiliate, agent or other Representative of such Party) in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the termination thereof, any breach by such Party giving rise to such termination or the failure of the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated and (iii) all other Parties and their respective Affiliates shall be precluded from any other remedy against such Party and its Affiliates, at law or in equity or otherwise, in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the termination thereof, any breach by such Party giving rise to such termination or the failure of the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated. Each of the Parties acknowledges that (x) the agreements contained in this Section 10.3 are an integral part of the Contemplated Transactions, (y) without these agreements, the Parties would not enter into this Agreement and (z) any amount payable pursuant to this Section 10.3 is not a penalty, but rather is liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate the Parties in the circumstances in which such amount is payable; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 10.3(f) shall limit the rights of the Parties under Section 11.10.
97
Section 11. Miscellaneous Provisions.
11.1 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company, Parent and Merger Subs contained in this Agreement or any certificate or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate at the First Effective Time, and only the covenants that by their terms survive the First Effective Time and this Section 11 shall survive the First Effective Time.
11.2 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended with the approval of the respective boards of directors of the Company, Merger Subs and Parent at any time (whether before or after the adoption and approval of this Agreement by the Company’s stockholders or before or after obtaining the Required Parent Stockholder Vote); provided, however, that after any such approval of this Agreement by a Party’s stockholders, no amendment shall be made which by Law requires further approval of such stockholders without the further approval of such stockholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Company, Merger Subs and Parent.
11.3 Waiver.
(a) Any provision hereof may be waived by the waiving Party solely on such Party’s own behalf, without the consent of any other Party. No failure on the part of any Party to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of any Party in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege or remedy.
(b) No Party shall be deemed to have waived any claim arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Party and any such waiver shall not be applicable or have any effect except in the specific instance in which it is given.
98
11.4 Entire Agreement; Counterparts; Exchanges by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement and the other schedules, exhibits, certificates, instruments and agreements referred to in this Agreement constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among or between any of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof; provided, however, that the Confidentiality Agreement shall not be superseded and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms; provided, further, that only Exhibit D (including Exhibit A to such Exhibit) is incorporated by reference and made a part hereof for purposes of Section 251 of the DGCL. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of a fully executed Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by all Parties by electronic transmission in PDF format shall be sufficient to bind the Parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
11.5 Applicable Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws. In any action or proceeding between any of the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the Contemplated Transactions, each of the Parties: (a) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 11.5, (c) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts, (d) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any Party, (e) agrees that service of process upon such Party in any such action or proceeding shall be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 11.7 of this Agreement and (f) irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to trial by jury.
11.6 Assignability. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure solely to the benefit of, the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any of a Party’s rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempted assignment or delegation of this Agreement or any of such rights or obligations by such Party without the other Party’s prior written consent shall be void and of no effect.
99
11.7 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly delivered and received hereunder (a) one (1) Business Day after being sent for next Business Day delivery, fees prepaid, via a reputable international overnight courier service, (b) upon delivery in the case of delivery by hand or (c) on the date delivered in the place of delivery if sent by email (with a written or electronic confirmation of delivery) prior to 6:00 p.m. (New York City time), otherwise on the next succeeding Business Day, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:
if to Parent or Merger Subs:
GlycoMimetics Inc.
9708 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Attention: Christian Dinneen-Long
Email: cdinneen-long@glycomimetics.com
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Asher M. Rubin; John Butler
Email: arubin@sidley.com; john.butler@sidley.com
if to the Company:
Crescent Biopharma, Inc.
221 Crescent Street, Building 23, Suite 105
Waltham, Massachusetts 02453
Attention: Jonathan Violin
Email: jviolin@crescentbiopharma.com
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
One Embarcadero Center, Suite 2600
San Francisco, CA 94111
Attention: Ryan Murr, Branden Berns, Chris Trester
Email: rmurr@gibsondunn.com, bberns@gibsondunn.com, ctrester@gibsondunn.com
11.8 Cooperation. Each Party agrees to cooperate fully with the other Party and to execute and deliver such further documents, certificates, agreements and instruments and to take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the other Party to evidence or reflect the Contemplated Transactions and to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
11.9 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the Parties agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to limit such term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases or to replace such term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the Parties agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term or provision.
100
11.10 Other Remedies; Specific Performance. Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a Party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The Parties agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms (including failing to take such actions as are required of it hereunder to consummate this Agreement) or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity, and each of the Parties waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other Party with respect thereto. Each of the Parties further agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief on the basis that any other Party has an adequate remedy at law or that any award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or in equity.
11.11 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person (other than the Parties and the D&O Indemnified Parties to the extent of their respective rights pursuant to Section 6.7) any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
101
In Witness Whereof, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.
GlycoMimetics Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Harout Semerjian | |
Name: | Harout Semerjian | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
Gemini MERGER SUB CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Harout Semerjian | |
Name: | Harout Semerjian | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
Gemini MERGER SUB II, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Harout Semerjian | |
Name: | Harout Semerjian | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
In Witness Whereof, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.
Crescent Biopharma, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Jonathan Violin | |
Name: | Jonathan Violin | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |